In its 11th consecutive A Grade grand final, Newtown & Chilwell claimed yet another premiership, defeating St Joseph’s for the second year in a row.
The Eagles took control after half-time, as players battled pouring rain, to win 37 to 25.
Star goal keeper Charity Nasalio was the inaugural Olivia Cameron Medallist for her four-quarter performance on dangerous shooter Ella Closter.
The Eagles led by three at the first break, but Joeys rebounded in the second to draw level at 15-all halfway through the term.
With rain making goal shooting difficult, Mikaela Vaughan nailed her last three attempts to end the half with Newtown & Chilwell taking a three-goal advantage.
When Closter goaled five minutes into the third term, Joeys were still in the contest and trailed by four.
But as champion teams do, the Eagles went into another gear with Vaughan and Julia Woolley upping the ante along with Vanessa Augustini and Danielle Mather in midcourt.
A seven-goal lead at the last change was deserved and with four of the first five goals of the final stanza, the lead was now 10 and a bridge too far for Joeys.
A streak of four consecutive goals in the late stages of the game eventually saw Newtown & Chilwell comfortable winners.
Towners defenders Nasalio, Amy Wirth, Natalie Tommasini and Mia van Wyk were superb in the absence of Julia Woolley Medallist Ruby Pekin-Schlicht, who couldn’t make it back from the UK for the game.
In the end it was a familiar sight on the dais after the game, but St Joseph’s will feel the gap closing.
GRAND FINALS
A Grade: Newtown & Chilwell 37 def St Joseph’s 25. Best on court: Charity Nasalio (Newtown & Chilwell)
B Grade: St Mary’s 40 def South Barwon 39 in extra time. 33-33 after four quarters. Best on court: Jackie Riddle (St Mary’s)
C Grade: St Mary’s 50 def South Barwon 31. Best on court: Kate Fowles (St Mary’s)
D Grade: St Joseph’s 2 def South Barwon 17. Best on court: Sophie King (St Joseph’s)
E Grade: Leopold 32 def Grovedale 12. Best on court: Bonnie Hockley (Leopold)
19 & Under: South Barwon 27 def Newtown & Chilwell 21. Best on court: Amali Hill (South Barwon)
17 & Under Division 1: Geelong West Giants 37 def South Barwon 15. Best on court: Isabella Gill (Geelong West Giants)
17 & Under Division 2: South Barwon 24 def St Joseph’s 15. Best on court: Ella Clark (South )
15 & Under Division 1: South Barwon 24 def Bell Park 23. Best on court: Zoe Nwankwo (South Barwon)
15 & Under Division 2: St Mary’s 37 def Bell Park 35 in extra time. 28-28 after four quarters. Best on court: Kaycee Taylor (St Mary’s)
13 & Under Division 1: Bell Park 28 def South Barwon 21. Best on court: Milla Eldredge (Bell Park)
13 & Under Division 2: South Barwon 25 def Bell Park 24. Best on court: Chloe Noelker (South Barwon)
