It’s been four long years in the making but Mt Evelyn looks set to claim its first Outer East Women’s Division 1 premiership when the Rovers take on 2022 champions Upwey Tecoma on Sunday.
Mt Evelyn has been totally dominant this season; in this its first year back in Outer East after three years playing in the powerful Eastern Football Netball League Premier Division.
Back in 2021 the Rovers were undefeated and seemingly cruising towards the Outer East premiership, but a worldwide pandemic called Covid put an end to the season and subsequently the Rovers title hopes as well.
Mt Evelyn has been untouchable in 2025, going undefeated with a barely believable percentage of over 2000.
The Rovers scored 1229 points during the home-and-away season, and conceded just 58, giving an indication of their hopes heading into the biggest game of all.
Mt Evelyn has many avenues to goal, with Mackenzie Adams (24 goals), Sherice Oliver (20), Bridie Burton (19), Georgia Macpherson (15), Summer Edyvane (13) and Georgia Ploegsma (11) kicking 10 or more goals this season, while reigning league best and fairest winner Jess Occhipinti and skipper Alex Bantock are the only two players to fit that criteria for the Tigers.
The Tigers will need to be at their ferocious best to compete, with consistent performers such as Niamh Hunter-Clear, Corinna White and Tahlia Sheehan to lead from the front if the Tigers are to pull off an upset.
But it’s finally glory time for the Rovers; who’ll win by 49 points in a canter.
The Division 2 grand final also has a clear favourite with Warburton Wesburn taking on Emerald in the 11.30am pipe-opener.
Warby Wesburn has been terrific this year, going undefeated with a percentage of 1600, while the Bombers have qualified the hard way; rolling Yea and Wandin to book their ticket to the big dance.
The task confronting Emerald is enormous, with Warburton Wesburn having five of the top 10 goal scorers in the competition.
Scarlett Henderson earlier this season became the first women’s footballer to kick 50 goals in a season in Outer East, while Madi ward, Jasmine Enever, Gabrielle Woods and Emerson Woods have all kicked more goals than Emerald’s highest contributor.
Molly Webb, Steph Thomas, Caitlin Ellis and Laura Gillard have finished the season strongly for the Bombers, while Ruby Langham and Paige Nguyen have also been in good touch.
But this Warburton-Wesburn’s flag to lose; they’ve defeated the Bombers by 95 and 90 points in their only two meetings this year and will prove too strong again.
The Bombers will play with heart, as they always do…but it’s the minor premiers to win by 10 goals plus.
OUTER EAST WOMEN’S
GRAND FINALS
• Sunday 24 August at Powelltown
DIVISION 1
Mt Evelyn v Upwey Tecoma 1.35pm
DIVISION 2
Warburton Wesburn v Emerald 11.30am
