Macedon’s women’s football team hung on desperately to hold off a very late Kyneton challenge to win the 2024 Rookie Me premiership on Saturday evening.
Fortunes ebbed and flowed in the grand final played at Woodend’s Gilbert Gordon Reserve, and the Cats ended up going through the season undefeated in only the second year of the competition.
A large crowd turned out, and the exciting finish led to plenty of frayed nerves both on and off the field.
Macedon’s victory was further enhanced on Sunday, when the Cats won the Riddell League’s youth girls’ grand final, again beating Kyneton.
The RDFNL had every reason to be pleased with this start to its finals series and the respectful and very competitive rivalry between Macedon and Kyneton, without doubt the two best teams in the senior women’s competition.
Next season Riddell expects to field a women’s team to add to the strong football and netball components at Bomberland.
After defeating Kyneton 6.4 to 1.3 in the qualifying final, when ace forward Charlotte Noonan kicked five goals, the Cats were logical favourites on Saturday night.
However, almost everyone expected Kyneton to bounce back hard and the stage was set for an absorbing contest.
Macedon used their speed to advantage in the first term, but squandered chances to take a stranglehold on the grand final by kicking 2.7 while Kyneton failed to score.
A big turnaround came in the second term, as Kyneton made a couple of positional moves that paid dividends.
After a stalemate, the Tigers finally scored a goal, then a second and third one followed. The Cats were kept scoreless and at half-time it was 3.1 to 2.7.
Speculation was rife as to the likely outcome among spectators at the long break, and the match resumed with neither side able to put goals on the board.
Finally the Tigers goaled to hit the front, and the Cats knew they had a real struggle on their hands.
A contentious goal to the Cats, with defenders claiming the ball was touched in transit, put Macedon six points ahead with a quarter to play.
It was riveting football as both sides stood firm; several players appeared to be struggling fitness wise.
Noonan received a free kick on an angle and her perfect drop punt sailed through to extend the Cats’ lead to 13 points.
Time was ticking down and it seemed Macedon had the premiership in their grasp; then two quick goals, the first to Emma Williams and the second to Emily Gibson after a 50-metre penalty, suddenly brought the Tigers back to within a point.
Could Kyneton create a Collingwood-like escape trick with a couple of minutes remaining?
Spectators yelled encouragement, and Macedon managed to bottle up play on the southern side of the ground.
When the siren sounded, pandemonium erupted as the Cats’ players hugged one another and their supporters and officials joined in the instant emotion-charged celebrations.
It was a memorable 5.8 (38) to 6.1 (37) victory for the Cats who were congratulated by their opponents who must have been disappointed not to have been able to force a draw at least.
The only multiple goalkickers were Laura Roberts with three for Kyneton, and Lilli Collins with two for the Cats.
Best players listed for Macedon included defenders Ninna Harbinson and Scarlett Lynch, Noonan, Lulu Slater, Ruby Watts and Lily Prater.
Kyneton’s best were captain Teagan Ainslie, Eligh Blume, Jasmine Short, Eliza Coutts, Roberts, and Emma Jeffrey.
THE PRESENTATIONS
Premiership medallions were handed out after league representatives congratulated both sides on their commendable efforts.
Macedon’s joint captains Scarlett Lynch and Lilli Collins gleefully accepted the Premiership Cup.
The ‘best on ground’ award went to Kyneton’s courageous captain Teagan Ainslie, one of the true quality and consistent players in the whole competition.
Kyneton coach Phil Hawkes, who was also in charge when the Tigers won last season’s flag, said his side had given the Cats a scare, and he was proud of their efforts.
“You deserve it, you were the best all season,” he said in praising the winners.
Macedon coach Damien Slater said it had been a great game of football, and agreed with Hawkes the standard had improved this season.
“We were challenged, and we stood up,” Slater said.
He said obtaining quality players from Gisborne, which did not have a women’s team this season, had boosted the Cats.
Slater paid a particular tribute to Tamara Collins, who had defied all obstacles to ensure Macedon had a female football team.
The initial meeting to form a team attracted just three interested people, but Collins was undeterred, and although she had played most matches, she had the role of runner for the grand final, and was rewarded with the historic victory.
The large number of supporters who had come to support the Cats was warmly acknowledged.
Slater, now living in Echuca, said he would not be available to coach the Cats next season.
The Premiers
Macedon’s history making women’s premiership side lined up as follows:
B: Sarah Miles, Tamsin Muller, Amber Coy.
HB: Ninna Harbinson, Scarlett Lynch, Hannah Beasley.
C: Adrianne Ward, Lily Prater, Ruby Shepherd.
HF: Lilli Collins, Eliza Bell, Alex Cairney.
F: Shakira Parker, Charlotte Noonan, Brianna Woodburn.
Followers: Stephanie Jones, Ruby Watts, Lulu Slater.
Interchange: Amy Miles, Tina Veliscek, Anastasia Fishe, Kaitlyn Muller, Cltyie Deering, Marion Maxted.
Coach – Damien Slater.
Assistant coach – Jeremy Miles.
Photos: Sophie McLeod
