Riddell League qualifying and elimination finals in the 2025 women’s football competition were played on Saturday afternoon.
Undefeated flag favourite Macedon Cats led throughout against Lancefield to win the qualifying final by 41 points, and the steadily improving Riddell was in control throughout and eliminated Mt Alexander Falcons by 33 points.
The Chris Nolan-coached Cats are sitting pretty, with a spot in the grand final secured against either Lancefield or Riddell — preliminary final contestants this Saturday at Lancefield.
Fine weather for both matches was welcomed after a month where some grounds have been severely rain-affected.
At Tony Clarke Reserve, the confident Cats were extended at times in general play by Lancefield, but the second-placed Tigers did not have the firepower up forward to put goals on the board.
By half-time the Cats led 4.4 (28) to no score before a supportive home crowd.
Another three goals in the third term put the outcome beyond doubt.
Final score was 8.6 (54) to 2.1 (13).
Charlotte Noonan 3 and Taya Konias 2 were multiple scorers for the Cats, who had their best players listed as Brianna Woodburn, Ruby Watts, Lilli Collins, Samantha Pointer, Lauren Wilkinson and Noonan.
For the Tigers, team spirit was obvious. Abbie Sarginson continued her fine form with Emily Consiglio, Emily O’Brien, Lilly and Alice Bromley, and Kirsty Albert also in the ‘best’ list.
Melissa Grant and Taleeya Rowbotham were the scorers.
BOMBERS ON TARGET
Riddell, in its first season with a group of non-footballers, netballers, and recruits from other clubs combining, showed what can be achieved through togetherness.
The Bombers had eight scoring shots, capitalising with 7.1 (43) on the board against 1.4 (10) for the Falcons. At half-time it was 3.1 to no score.
Main scorers were Keely Wallace-Kilbane 3 and Ruby Ayers 2.
Wallace-Kilbane, Brianna De Haas, Mariam Habib, Molly Connell, Lauren Shaw and Lauren Nolan were best for the winners.
Falcons’ star Tash Ross-Harris again led by example, and Lou Napolitano, Hetty Moysey, Ella Hayes, Meg Randles and Jessie Boylan also made the ‘best’ list. Mary Koeko kicked the lone goal.
