By David Nagel
Unbridled joy swept across the hardest-working team in Outer East Women’s Division One football on Sunday as Pakenham claimed its first-ever premiership with an 8.7(55) to 3.4(22) triumph over a brave Healesville at Kilsyth.
The Lions had lost two grand finals before – in 2019 against Karingal and last year against Olinda-Ferny Creek – but made it third time lucky with a brilliant display of team football.
Driven by the hurt of last year, the Lions finally reaped the rewards of a rugged build up under third-year coach Rick Stalker; who believes the ‘hard-work’ path is the only road to success.
It’s a method that paid off handsomely on the weekend, with four goals each to Abby Hobson, and best-on-ground medallist Ava Deszcz, driving the Lions to victory.
“These girls started training on November 1 last year, and October 31 the year before that, just running laps, building up their fitness, three times a week, and that hard work is ultimately what made the difference in the end,” Stalker said.
“I don’t treat them like girls and I don’t treat them like boys, I treat them like footballers, and they’ve copped everything I’ve thrown at them; then looked me in the eye and bounced back for more.
“I know I’m bloody hard work at times, but this is what it’s all about, building the basics, building the fitness, to get to this point to win a premiership.
“This is a genuine team, built on genuine spirit and hard work; and I couldn’t be prouder of their achievements.
“They deserve to celebrate and enjoy their success for many weeks to come.”
Healesville won the toss and kicked with the aid of a two-to-three goal breeze in the opening term, and struck an immediate blow with Danielle Carrucan putting her trusty left-foot to good use after 90 seconds.
But, from that point forward, the Lions had more of the footy in the opening quarter with ruck Sarah Ventura getting on top and midfielders Courtney Stephens, Bianca Moody, Bonnie Williams, Matilda Argoon and Chloe Nagel doing plenty of running both ways.
The Lions back six is elite, and Abbey McKenzie, Ash Perkins, Kate Green, Emily Devine, Jayda Tannahill and Annalise Ryan didn’t disappoint on the biggest stage of all.
Their combined hard work and determination was rewarded at the opposite end of the ground, with Deszcz kicking two goals – the first opportunist and the second a set shot – to give the Lions a six-point lead at quarter time.
Pakenham’s intensity was through the roof in the opening term, with the pressure applied by Courtney Karayannis, Beth Quadara, Charli Jones, Aiesha Kolaritsch and Tianah Vandesteeg making a big difference around the ground.
Despite kicking against the breeze, Healesville lifted in the second term as it tried to delay the damage.
It took seven minutes before Hobson extended the lead, after build-up play from Deszcz, who then kicked her third to make it 19 points the difference at half time.
The Bloods simply had to make their charge in the third term, the premiership quarter, to give themselves a hope.
But Pakenham stood strong, taking a 13-point lead to the final change after conceding just one goal for the quarter to Brooke Wandin.
Stalker gave his team an almighty rev-up at the final change for the year; and they responded in the style of champions.
Hobson would kick three in the final term, and Deszcz one, as the Lions raced away with the cup.
This was true team effort, with Bec Domotor, Sarah Connelly, Brianna Menere, Tanya Stafford and Kayla Wilson all having an impact, while injured players Rielle Menere, Emily Johnston and Aliya Daniel cheered their teammates on from the sidelines.
The Lions had many winners on the day, with Williams, Perkins, Argoon, Ventura and Devine in sensational form for four quarters, while Deszcz and Hobson were undeniable threats up forward.
There was only one thing left to do; to receive medals and watch Stalker, captain Nagel and vice-captain Stephens hoist the cup to the skies.
“We’ve got a group called ‘Ricky’s Angels’, Chloe, Courtney and I; we talk footy non stop and those two leaders have been magnificent throughout this journey,” Stalker said.
“They’ve embraced the young girls coming in and the team spirit within this group is something special.
“They run laps shoulder to shoulder at training, they ride every bump with each other, and it’s just a special group to be a part of.”
Stalker wanted to thank his former coaching partner, now Pakenham president, Derrick Brown, for luring him back to the fold.
“I’ve known Derrick for a long time and he knows me well; he planted the seed and once it was planted it was only going to end one way,” Stalker said with a grin.
“I wasn’t sure what I walking into on night one, we only had a handful of girls, but what a journey it’s been since then.
“Chloe (Nagel) and Courtney (Stephens) have been the leaders all the way through, they’ve been fantastic, but it’s just snowballed from there and everyone has jumped on board.
“We’ve had our ups and downs over the journey, like all football teams have, but to see the happiness that Sunday brought to the team just makes it all worthwhile.
“I’ve coached a lot of football teams over the years, but coaching these girls has been one of the most special experiences in my life.”
The Division Two grand final was a dourer affair, with Monbulk winning an absolute thriller against Woori Yallock; 2.0(12) to 1.5(11).
A classy right-foot snap from Monbulk goal-sneak Scarlett Henderson provided the only goal of the first half, before a third-quarter goal to Jade McCormick gave the Hawks a nine-point lead at the final change.
Jessi Adams gave the Tigers a sniff with a great goal in the final term, but the Hawks held on against the wind to record their second premiership in three years.
OUTER EAST WOMEN’S
GRAND FINALS
DIVISION ONE
PAKENHAM 2.2 4.3 4.5 8.7(55)
HEALESVILLE 1.2 1.2 2.4 3.4(22)
Pakenham Goals: Ava Deszcz 4, Abby Hobson 4. Best: Ava Deszcz (Medal), Bonnie Williams, Abby Hobson, Ash Perkins, Annalise Ryan, Matilda Argoon.
Healesville Goals: Danielle Carrucan, Brooke Wandin, Cassy Wilsmore. Best: Sophie Morris, Alex Bryan, Madison Cameron, Sarah Frazzetto, Kate Methven, Brooke Wandin.
DIVISION TWO
MONBULK 0.0 1.0 2.0 2.0(12)
WOORI YALLOCK 0.1 0.3 0.3 1.5(11)
Monbulk Goals: Scarlett Henderson, Jade McCormick. Best: Ruby Ross, Josie Ford, Maddison Dodd, Kathryn Gow, Jade McCormick, Yanessa Hancock-Wolfe.
Woori Yallock Goals: Jessi Adams. Best: Emily Spicer, Sky Wilson, India James, Emelia Robin, Jessi Adams, Natalie McLaren.
