Essendon Doutta Stars took out their second Airport Toyota Women’s Division One Grand Final with their eighth win on the trot.
Greenvale and Essendon Doutta Stars were evenly matched coming into this contest with the Jets gaining the advantage in their first two matchups, but their most recent contest was a comfortable win four Douttas amid their winning streak.
It was a chess battle in the early stages of this game with Greenvale unable to capitalise on their chances and control of the game.
The Jets kicked four behinds in the opening term and held Douttas scoreless, but it’d be a role reversal in the second quarter.
Neve Crowley booted the first goal of the game with a well-time forward foray that led her into an open goal square.
Douttas’ intensity was sky high and they were able to get the second goal of the game on the back of a Jessie Hulett crumb.
They had all the momentum and took a 10-point lead into the main break with Greenvale held goalless.
Troy Newton’s side needed a lift after the break, and that’s exactly what they got with a beautiful finish from Nicolette Paschalis on the boundary opening their account.
Less than a minute later, Greenvale’s hero from a couple of weeks ago Talia Motta won the contest at ground level and handed the Jets the lead five minutes into the second half.
With the game in the balance, Essendon Doutta Stars needed a response of their own and who better to provide it than Hulett who kicked two goals in a couple of minutes from set shots.
Restoring that 10-point lead at the final change, Douttas piled on the next three goals to run away with a 27-point victory and the flag.
It was going to take a team effort to ground this Jets outfit that had been dominant for so much of the year, and that’s exactly what they got.
Crowley turned in a wonderful Captain’s performance and took out the best on ground honours with a big day in the ruck, displaying a high level of mobility to set up well behind the ball and continually make each contest.
Hulett was another standout with four vital goals and a looming presence in the forward 50 for Essendon Doutta Stars.
Jayla Rutley worked hard through the middle of the ground with Megan Runting who kicked the sealer, while Kiara Jones was stringent in defence.
Zoe Hardiman and Terira Fry were pivotal in Greenvale’s midfield playing big parts in their dominance through various stages of the game.
For the second time, the Division One Premiership cup will be heading to Nipper Jordan Oval!
Check out the full match centre here.
