The Riddell League’s 2025 women’s football grand final will be played at Gilbert Gordon Oval, Woodend, on Saturday.
The participants are unbeaten flag favourite Macedon, aiming to repeat its epic win in 2024, and a remarkably improved first season side Riddell.
Woodend-Hesket FNC president, Paul Podbury, said his club was pleased to be hosting the women’s grand final for the third year in a row.
“The match is due to kick-off at 5.30pm, and we hope the weather is favourable and it draws a large crowd,” he said.
Macedon is in the grand final after a 8.6 to 2.1 second semi-final victory over Lancefield, and on Saturday night Riddell won a low-scoring preliminary final 3.4 (22) to 1.4 (10) against Lancefield.
A very large crowd turned out at Lancefield in what was a positive step forward for women’s football in the area.
The match was played in good spirit, and Riddell’s two second-term goals gave the Bombers an edge with a full moon overhead.
The Tigers scored their only goal through Harriet Ziedaitis in the third quarter and stayed in contention until the Bombers produced the only goal of the final quarter.
Final scores were 3.4 (22) to 1.4 (10).
For the Bombers, best players were captain Molly Connell, Mariam Habib, Emma Croft, Jessica Sproule, Lauren Shaw and Charrouf.
The Cash Ferguson-coached Tigers were best served by Molly Libardi, Lilly Bromley, Georgie Champion, Abbie Sarginson, Emily O’Brien and Luzanne Paeglitis.
Experienced coach Rob Bretherton did not envisage the Riddell side making such progress when he took up the position, and is delighted with the outcome, and the team spirit being displayed.
About 70 per cent of Riddell’s team list had never played football before this season.
Having fun is a priority, and the Bombers are going to give the grand final their best shot on Saturday.
Understandably, the much more experienced Macedon team is a hot favourite to take out the flag, on the ground where they beat Kyneton 5.8 to 6.1 in the 2024 grand final.
The Cats have some very talented players, including captain Brianna Woodburn, Ruby Watts, Lilli Collins and top goalkicker Charlotte Noonan.
