Melbourne Girls go back-to-back; Rowville wins inter girls
Melbourne Girls Grammar confirmed their status as the premier schoolgirl football team in Victoria by defeating fellow power Caulfield Grammar for the second-straight year in the Herald Sun Shield Senior Girls Division One Grand Final.
Played at ETU Stadium in Port Melbourne on Tuesday, Melbourne Girls triumphed 6.7 (43) to 2.2 (14) to win by 29 points, after Rowville Secondary College won the Intermediate Girls Division One decider played immediately prior, defeating Carey Grammar by 33 points, 7.10 (52) to 3.1 (19).
Senior Girls Division One Grand Final recap
Melbourne Girls Grammar 6.7 (43) def. Caulfield Grammar 2.2 (14)
Melbourne Girls were strong from the outset and in a low-scoring, high-pressure tussle, led by eight points at quarter time and then 13 points at the main break. They never allowed Caulfield an easy path to score and held strong throughout the second half.
Key forward Chloe Williams starred for Melbourne with two goals and a number of strong marks to be awarded the best-on-ground medal, while AFLW Academy player and draft prospect Sophie McKay showed her class and regularly drove the ball forward and Sienna Sharp was outstanding before going off with injury. Imogen Perrett, Edie McLachlan and Harriet Kogler were also very good performers for a deep MGGS side.
For Caulfield, year 10 student Bailee Martin backed up her three-goal Semi-Final performance with another outstanding display, while captain Zoe Samuel led her side bravely. Caulfield has dominated the combined Associated Public Schools/Associated Grammar Schools senior girls football competition for years and only Melbourne Girls Grammar have been able to stop their winning streak in all competitions by prevailing in the past two Herald Sun Shield deciders, after Caulfield won the title in 2022.
- WATCH REPLAY on KommunityTV.com: CLICK HERE (Herald Sun subscriber content)
- Full set of results from 2024 Senior Girls Division 1: CLICK HERE
Intermediate Girls Division One Grand Final recap
Rowville Secondary College 7.10 (52) def. Carey Grammar 3.1 (29)
In the earlier game, Rowville kicked away from Carey with four last quarter goals after a tight contest in which Rowville's held a narrow advantage throughout and led by 11 points at three-quarter time. Midfielder Ebony Stevenson found plenty of the ball and showcased excellent skills for the winners to be awarded the best-on-ground medal, while Ella Bologa was dangerous and clean up forward with two goals. Rowville captain Zarah Markey and Lara Williams were also excellent.
For Carey, who also lost last year's Herald Sun Shield Intermediate Girls Division One Grand Final, Sophia Davey and Lily Parker were among the best.
Rowville has been prominent in recent Herald Sun Shield competitions. Their Senior Girls lost the Division One decider to Caulfield in 2022 in the same year the Intermediate Boys won the Division Two title, before the Inter Boys went on to lose the Division One Grand Final to Parade last year.
- WATCH REPLAY on KommunityTV.com: CLICK HERE (Herald Sun subscriber content)
- Full set of results from 2024 Senior Girls Division 1: CLICK HERE
