TOMORROW will mark a historic moment for the inaugural season of South East Women’s Football in Mount Gambier, as Vansittart Park plays host to the grand final match-up between South Gambier and Millicent.
After five minor rounds of competition, the Demons sit undefeated at the top of the table going into the clash while the Saints narrowly secured their second place in the final week of competition, with only percentage separating them from both West and East Gambier.
The previous meeting between the two sides saw Millicent down by 16 points at the final siren, despite trailing by just three at half time.
This ability to maintain pressure for the full four quarters will be crucial for the Saints, as South has proven dangerous in the second half and will be merciless in its assault.
Holding a clear upper-hand going into the grand final, South has drawn players from soccer, rugby, hockey, netball and martial arts and has put skills from all of these sports to good use throughout the season.
Soccer players Tess Clark, Aimee Beck, Kendell Saffin, Jasmine Clark and Paris Ackland are prime examples, as they have all been influential members of the squad.
Saffin’s finesse around goals has also earned her the leading goal-kicker award for the competition.
The Demons will be almost at full strength on Sunday, with the inclusions of Laura Edmonds, Leyna Bruggerman and Rachela Snewin back in the team, but they will be without solid contributor Chloe Pratt.
South Gambier coach Chris Edmonds said his team was raring to go and would be in a strong position going into the match.
“From Kate Lehman’s first goal under lights at Vansittart Park in Round 1, the team has gone from strength to strength,” he said.
“The girls are looking forward to the challenge against Millicent as their foot-skills and strong marking have them rightly contesting it out in the big one.
“The work of key back-line players Kaylene Nuske, Misty Dalton, Priscilla Baker and Charlene Riley will be kept busy trying to halt the Saints when they are on a roll.”
Edmonds said assistant coach Kim McIntyre would also be kept occupied during the game, helping to rotate players.
These changes will play a large part in the Demons’ level of success on the day, as captain Sarah Milne, Riley Buckingham, Jamie Ryan and Tara Bonney have all proven themselves capable in multiple positions.
“As we head into what will be an exciting grand final, I’d like to thank and congratulate all who have contributed to this historic season,” Edmonds said.
“The South Gambier administrators, players, supporters and families who have been involved have all enjoyed the journey.
“I would like to make special thanks to our team manager Tracey Buckingham and to Leigh Winterfield and Heath Mitchell – the president and A Grade coach of the South Gambier Football Club – for their unconditional support and enthusiasm for this brand new competition.
“The success on the field owes a lot to the help off the field.”
For Millicent, it will go into the clash as the underdog, but will have no shortage of talent to throw against the Demons.
“What an honour it will be playing in the inaugural South East Women’s Football League grand final,” Millicent coach Reece Duncan said.
“Congratulations to both teams on making it this far and well done to my Millicent girls, this is a great reward for the hard work they have been putting in all season.”
Duncan said his team’s previous meeting with South was relatively close, but it was the efficiency of the Demons’ forwards which proved fatal for the Saints.
“It was an even contest all over the ground I thought, with South’s ability to kick truly being the main difference,” he said.
“South have some great players in Tess Clark, Jasmine White and Chloe Pratt who get plenty of the ball all over the ground.
“If we can stem the flow up forward and shut down South’s run I believe we can really take it up to the undefeated Demons.”
Jacquelyn Matthews and Carly Knaggs have led the way in Millicent’s back-line and will be looked to again on the weekend to provide a strong last-line of defence..
They will be joined by the likes of Olivia Fuller, who has been an instrumental part of the Saints’ line-up.
“Olivia Fuller has really cemented her spot as the premier ruck in the competition and always gives our midfield brigade the first use of the footy,” Duncan said.
“Melissa McGrath, Shelby Serle, Jemma Smith and Roxanne Wallis are all great movers of the footy and cause headaches for our opposition.
“Then up forward we have some great targets in Jenna Brown, Claudia Giurastante and Grace Carnellor.”
With a variety of capable goal scorers in Millicent’s ranks, Duncan said this will be something the side looks to take advantage of going into Sunday.
With the grand final match to begin at 3pm on Sunday, the day will start at 12pm with the consolation finals between the All Stars and North Gambier, along with West Gambier and East Gambier, to determine the minor placings for the season.
