ABERFELDIE maintained its untarnished season record with a dominant EDFL Women’s - Premier Grand Final performance against Keilor at Windy Hill on Saturday.
Siobhan Carlton was influential in the win and took out the best-on-ground medal, getting her hands on the ball around the ground and leading her side’s link up play.
She also kicked a trademark two-bounce running goal in the third quarter that was a key highlight of the game.
Sophie Cachia led the forward line pressure for Aberfeldie, especially early on, laying a number of crunching tackles to keep the Blues’ defenders on their toes.
Aberfeldie looked ominous as they led the Blues into the contest and were able to hold front position throughout the day.
Sarah Larkings was able to take an uncontested mark 20 metres out to slot home the first goal of the game in the first quarter.
Lisa Kirby provided an option for Keilor in the front half and was unlucky with a flying shot at goal bouncing the wrong way, but she was able to get the Blues fans cheering with a great run-down tackle later in the game.
Marthese Zahra’s mark drifting back into the pack was the first quarter highlight for a Keilor team that found it difficult to generate any effective attacking play.
Around the ball, ruck Amy Starzer, despite being undersized, was able to give her fellow Aberfeldie midfielders first read on the ball as they worked in numbers, with Olivia Madden, Larkings and Jacara Thomas getting amongst the play.
Amanda Seoud received a heavy early knock to her shoulder and required attention but was able to come back onto the field.
She was Keilor’s best defender in a back line under pressure.
Shenay Thomas was also making good position in the backline, able to cut off a few of Aberfeldie’s repeat forward entries before Cachia was able to score Aberfeldie’s second goal out of a stoppage at the 17-minute mark of the second quarter.
With the margin only 16 points at half time, Aberfeldie looked to have control of the game but had not completely shut the door.
The tension between both teams was evident, with a scuffle breaking out on the outer wing before attention was drawn back to the ball.
Kylie Kennedy got her hands on the ball and was lively as she was able to build pressure on Keilor’s defence.
Goals to Carlton and Jess Atta helped secure a 31-0 three-quarter time lead for Aberfeldie that had them looking all but home.
The minor premiers had the opportunity to savour their lead in the last quarter, with the knowledge that they were soon to be awarded the major prize.
The run of Amber Wescombe was able to set Amy Smith up for a great team goal within the opening two minutes of the last quarter, which proved to be their last major.
Laura Wright, one of Keilor’s brightest young talents, had a shot in the last quarter to get Keilor on the board, but fell short.
With some of the Blues’ bigger names unable to get into the game, Aberfeldie simply had all the answers.
On the biggest day of the EDFL Women’s calendar, Aberfeldie convincingly proved it was their year.
ABERFELDIE | 1.2-8 | 2.4-16 | 4.7-31 | 5.10-40
Goal Kickers: J. Atta, S. Carlton, S. Larkings, A. Smith, S. Cachia
Best Players: Not provided
Best-on-ground medal: Siobhan Carlton
KEILOR | 0.0-0 | 0.0-0 |0.0-0 | 0.0-0
Goal Kickers: None
Best Players: J. Cameron, E. Cornish, S. Cachia, A. Volk, I. Rowland, L. Kirby
