COLLINGWOOD painted Ikon Park black and white with a terrific 37-point win over the Western Bulldogs in the Victorian Football League Women’s (VFLW) Grand Final today to claim their inaugural premiership. They had to overcome a second quarter fightback from the Dogs, before running out with the final five goals of the game to win 7.10 (52) to 2.3 (15) and remarkably heard the “Collliiinnnggwwwooooddd” chant echoed around the ground in the last quarter. Reliable key position defender Stacey Livingstone took out the Lisa Hardeman Medal for the best on ground following her 25 disposals and 10 marks – most of which were intercept grabs in defence.

The ball bobbled around in the opening couple of minutes with neither side able to control the footy and settle. Bri Davey inserted herself into the game straight away contesting every ball and finding the footy with ease while Collingwood cross-coder Sharni Layton did not muck around throwing her weight around in the first quarter and winning her own ball in the ruck to provide first use to the Pies. Collingwood retained some control locking the ball inside forward 50 and peppering away at the goals. The Dogs defence stood up time and time again withstanding the Pies pressure but Collingwood kept the forward pressure on despite being unable to convert with six points straight. Brooke Lochland got up high for the Dogs providing a release option while Mikayla Ward did her part for the Western Bulldogs taking a host of strong marks to try and nullify Collingwood. The Dogs defence worked in overdrive chopping off every option inside 50 and making Collingwood work for the ball with Simone Ruedin doing a wealth of work to repel the Collingwood forward forays and send the ball back up the other end. But the damn wall finally broke with Jaimee Lambert awarded a free kick 30 metres directly in front, the first goal of the game. Chloe Molloy created another forward opportunity with a great clearance in the middle of the ground streaming forward and bombing it long leaving Lambert to do the rest putting through her second in less than a minute pushing the lead out to 17 points.

The Dogs had a lot of the ball in their forward half but the Pies remained composed working it out of defence and down the wing. Livingstone did not let up down back controlling the defensive 50 with her ability to read the play and take an intercept mark. Brittany Bonnici took a strong mark deep in defence to chop off the Dogs scoring opportunity. Molloy showcased her strength with a huge tackle pushing her opponent into the ground. Sophie Molan was awarded a free kick directly in front about 30 out to secure the Dogs first goal of the game. The Dogs tails were well and truly up bombing the ball long inside forward 50 with plenty of repeat entries. Emma Mackay kicked an absolute blinder of a goal with the ball bouncing at right angles and dribbling through for their second in as many minutes. With the Dogs mounting a comeback the intensity lifted with Collingwood throwing everything at them in hope to maintain their one goal buffer. Davey took a huge mark throwing her body on the line and absorbing the body contact to keep the Pies nose narrowly in front at the half.

The third quarter started with a bang with Lambert and Lochland going toe-to-toe in a scuffle on the wing. Molloy bagged her first goal of the game with a kick along the ground and despite the Dogs best efforts to convince the umpires it was touched it was awarded as a goal. It was high intensity and physical opening couple of minutes with both sides throwing their body on the line. Gemma Lagioia played her role offering leads inside forward 50 and setting up plays for teammates. Bonnici showcased her strength to read the play and keep the ball inside the Pies attacking half. Bailey Hunt really stepped up her intensity working hard across the ground to win the footy and applying plenty of physical pressure. 35 Pies popped up everywhere in the third term taking a host of strong marks and sending the ball deep inside the Pies 50 with Sophie Alexander reaping the rewards and nailing her first for the game and their second for the quarter. Lagioia presented well up the footy all game taking a strong mark but couldn’t convert. Erica Fowler took a good intercept mark but failed to trouble the scoreboard only registering a point. The Dogs simply could not match the intensity applied by the Pies with Collingwood getting repeat entries and controlling the third term with their defensive set up. Alexander kicked a goal right on the three quarter time siren to give the Collingwood a commanding 26-point lead heading into the final change. 

With one hand on the premiership cup the Magpies maintained their composure and reigned supreme. Despite the Dogs best efforts it was a case of a little too late. The Western Bulldogs pressed hard holding the ball in their attacking 50 and creating options but the Pies were up to the task pouncing on every opportunity. 16 Dogs highlighted her class with a silky pick up off the ground but a pulverising tackle from the Pies saw the ball gobbled back up. Davey showed her class with an underground handball to Lambert on the wing to push the ball further down the lies for the Magpies. Lochland did not let up twisting and turning on the wing to try and propel the ball into the Dogs forward but they struggled to penetrate the Collingwood defence end. Goals to Lagioia and Mikala Cann wrapped up proceedings with last quarter goals to ensure the Magpies got home in a terrific effort.

WESTERN BULLDOGS 0.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.3 (15)
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 2.6 | 2.6 | 5.9 | 7.10 (52)

GOALS:

Western Bulldogs: E. Mackay, S. Molan.
Collingwood: S. Alexander 2, J. Lamber 2, M. Cann, G. Lagioia, C. Molloy.

ADC BEST:

Western Bulldogs: E. Gavalas, B. Hunt, K. Lamb, B. Lochland, A. Guest.
Collingwood: S. Livingstone, J. Lambert, B. Davey, G. Lagioia, C. Molloy.