By Jed Lanyon
Healesville Football Netball Club’s Senior Women’s team are premiers and champions of the AFL Outer East after defeating Monbulk by 42 points in the grand final on Saturday 31 August.
The Bloods pounced early to set up a crucial three goal lead at quarter time before running away to win the league’s inaugural premiership.
Danielle Jones was judged best afield, kicking three goals for the day to help propel Healesville to victory.
“I’m so proud of all the girls, we’ve worked so hard all year and it obviously showed on Saturday night,” she said.
The grand finalists met in a semi final on 18 August which proved to be Healesville’s closest match to date as they narrowly defeated the Hawks by one goal in a low-scoring affair plagued by wet conditions.
“After our first final, we revaluated what we needed to do. But we were there purely just to play footy and give 100 per cent and we were lucky enough to come away with the win,” Jones said.
Healesville were the only team in the league who were able to beat Monbulk and the two teams were the standout leaders in the league sitting five wins ahead of the third placed team.
Throughout the year, the Senior Women’s team had used club guernseys that belonged to an under 18s men’s team.
A recent sponsorship from the RACV Healesville Country Club allowed the team to be sized for their own guernseys which arrived the day before the grand final.
But coach Mitchell Hay kept this a secret from the players, believing that changing the guernseys for the big game would prove to be bad luck.
They were instead presented their new guernseys as part of their premiership celebrations.
Candice Martin described the win as historic for the club.
“Honestly, I joined the football team for the fun side of it not to win. Winning is just a bonus.
“I’ve made so many good friends and we’re like a family now. It’s one big support network.
“Girls football is here to stay.”
Josette O’Donnell said that the premiership win was one of her best moments alongside her wedding day and the birth of her children.
“I haven’t taken my medal off yet,” she said.
O’Donnell had a special moment for Father’s Day by visiting her father’s grave site in Yea to share her proud achievement.
She said she enjoyed playing alongside fellow Wurundjeri woman Brooke Wandin in the game her ancestors knew as Marngrook.
Wandin said she had watched every male member of her family play footy and that she was happy to get her own turn.
The Healesville team spent Mad Monday at Healesville’s Terminus Hotel with family for a ‘wind down’ lunch.
“We’ve been having a lot of fun. We had been on some restrictions from our coach in order to prepare for grand final day. So now that it’s over, it’s great to let loose,” Jones said.
Healesville 8.2 50 (D. Jones 3, J. Petersen 3, D. Watson, C. Martin) defeated Monbulk 1.2 8 (M. Dodd).
