MELBOURNE Girls Grammar made it three consecutive Herald Sun Shield Senior Girls Division 1 titles after holding off Caulfield Grammar in a tight, low-scoring affair at ETU Stadium today. The dominant girls football school – which boasts alumni such as Sophie McKay – ground out a 3.7 (25) to 2.4 (16) victory to relegate Caulfield to runners-up for another year.

Missing last year’s grand final best on ground in Chloe Williams due to injury, an even team performance from Melbourne was enough to get the job done despite Caulfield boasting one of the pick one fancies in next year’s AFLW Draft. Oakleigh superstar forward Bailee Martin unsurprisingly looked that cut above, coming off a successful AFLW Under 18s Championships where she won All-Australian honours, and will win the Coates Talent League Girls leading goalkicker for the Chargers.

Unlike in those leagues where Martin is stationed out of the goalsquare, this time she essentially roamed the field, covering a ridiculous amount of ground to start on-ball, take kickouts, intercept mark then go forward and even kick a crucial fourth term major to keep Caulfield within striking distance early in the final stanza.

Unfortunately for Martin and her school, Melbourne Grammar had the answers with Sasha Anderson soccering home a goal in the dying minutes to seal the nine-point result. Though Caulfield never stopped trying, it was a day where goals were worth their weight in gold given neither team managed to kick one in the first half.

Instead, the sides combined for seven behinds with the reigning back-to-back champions up by a point when they headed into half-time. It took until the 14-minute mark of the third term to finally register the game’s first major with vice-captain Emily Antonie opting to soccer off the deck to an open goalsquare. That was the first of two soccer goals – as was the match-winner – which depicted the type of game where very little was easy or straight forward.

Georgia Harris ensured Caulfield was up at the final break by eight points after Sara Melrose received a free kick 25m out from goal and kicked truly. When Martin delivered a trademark major under pressure in the pocket off the handball receive, Caulfield cut the deficit to just two points. But unfortunately that major would be the only score for the team, with Melbourne maintaining forward half ascendancy in the win.

Grace Anstess was awarded best on ground in Melbourne’s victory, with the Northern Territory prospect applying great defensive pressure and some quick disposal skills that caught the eye. It was a tricky decision to pick the best out of the winners, with Sandringham Dragons duo Imogen and Grace Perrett both impressing, as did Sofia Barnaby.

Martin was understandably the key player for Caulfield, dominating even with a host of taggers following her everywhere she went. The Chargers prospect had the likes of Georgia Macris, Nina Pound and Chloe Moffat as some of the players who also worked hard in defeat.

CAULFIELD GRAMMAR 0.2 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 2.4 (16)
MELBOURNE GRAMMAR 0.2 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 3.7 (25)

GOALS:
Caulfield: S. Melrose, B. Martin
Melbourne: G. Harris, E. Antonie, S. Anderson

RMC BEST:
Caulfield: B. Martin, G. Macris, N. Pound, C. Moffat, Z. Harrington
Melbourne: G. Anstess, G. Perrett, S. Barnaby I. Perrett, S. Anderson

Best on Ground: Grace Anstess (Melbourne Grammar)

SCOUTING NOTES:

Caulfield Grammar:

#8 Bailee Martin

The potential pick one in next year’s AFLW Draft was simply sensational, and while she did make some errors by foot, the amount of kilometres she would have covered in the match alone is mind-boggling. From intercepting in defence to kicking that fourth term goal, Martin essentially played with a fluid style, roaming all over the ground to be wherever she was needed and to be involved in multiple chains down the field. The toughest aspect was Melbourne’s planning around her, essentially completing a ‘handover’ whenever Martin left one section and moved onto another, bringing with her an entirely new tagger.

#21 Nina Pound

A bottom-ager with the Sandringham Dragons who has played eight games this year, Pound caught the eye playing through the middle and really using her powerful kick to advantage. She hit a brilliant drilling ball going inside 50 early in the game to a leading target, and another highlight was a big centre clearance in the third term. Has some nice burst, and just tidying up some elements of her game.

#22 Georgia Macris

Looked dangerous in the front half with numerous shots on goal and providing a marking target. Though ultimately she could not quite put one through the big sticks, it was not through lack of trying, and Macris was one of the more lively forwards when the ball came her way. Often marked at half-forward then put it to the hotspot inside 50.

#24 Chloe Moffat

Held her own at half-back and competing in the ruck where she showed nice follow up efforts after the initial contest. Took some key grabs and drove the ball from the defensive 50. A little bit of an awkward kicking style, she often cleared the ball out of the danger with a long kick and was not afraid to take the game on in the process.

MELBOURNE GRAMMAR:

#4 Grace Anstess

Winning best afield for her performance, the 2010-born prospect is still three years away from being draft-eligible, and was still technically able to play in the Intermediate Division. Anstess is clean at ground level and boasts some nice skills, with her ability to lower her eyes going inside 50 a highlight. Caught the eye at the AFLW Under 16 Championships this year for Northern Territory, and will be able to compete there again next year. One to remember.

#11 Imogen Perrett

Had the job on Martin to start with, and often took her whenever there was a centre bounce or Martin spent prolonged time between the arcs. Though she is a see-ball, get-ball player herself, she looked to let Martin know she was always there and infer implied pressure. A strong tackler with an aerial ability, Perrett actually copped a knock when looking to smother Martin on the wing. She came off to get taped up with a fashionable head strapping around the nose.

#13 Sofia Barnaby

The Melbourne talent just did a number of nice things of note, with some clearing players from half-back, usually mopping up then darting low balls into the centre. She read the play exceptionally well, even out-marking Martin at one stage – which is near impossible to do – by using proactive bodywork to grab front position and protect the ball drop.

#22 Grace Perrett

Like her twin sister, Perrett spent time on Martin at different points, applying great pressure around the ground as well. She had a ping at goal during the second term that was touched on the line late in quarter two, and then almost nailed a ripper during the third term that was stopped on the line once more. Used the ball effectively and competed in the air, with the duo’s local club fittingly being Port Melbourne.