FOOTBALL
FEMALE FOOTBALL GIPPSLAND
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
YINNAR Recreation Reserve was packed to the brim for a full day of women’s football last Sunday.
The third annual instalment of the Female Football Gippsland’s Gather Round was yet another success on all fronts, both on-field and off-field, in growing the game for girls and women in the region.
A total of 10 games took place across the day from the early hours of the morning to deep in the afternoon.
Morwell and Warranor (Warragul Junior Football Club) under 18s started the day on Yinnar’s senior ground, with the Eagles singing the song first after a tight 5.5 (35) to 3.6 (24) victory.
Demi Radford, Emilia Mills, Ava Busch, Mila Williamson, Harper Henry and Holly Minahan were best for Morwell, who saw out their third win of the season to jump into the top four on the Youth Girls U18 Division 2 ladder.
Starting at the same time on Oval 2 (Raiders Cricket Club Turf), Traralgon got the chocolates over Newborough in U18 Division 1 action, 6.8 (44) to 1.6 (12).
The Maroons shot out with two goals to nothing in the first term, but the Bulldogs gave themselves a red hot crack in the middle two quarters, however inaccurate kicking stirred those chances.
Traralgon booted four goals in the ‘premiership’ third quarter to create enough of a gap to win.
Alana Scholtes was best on for the Maroons, followed by Ashlyn Murtagh (two goals), Olivia Ambler, Steevie McClements, Mia O’Brien and Frankie Henthorn.
Sienna Paul, Chloe Gringhuis, Maddison Harle, Cassie Davis, Rae and Kobie Collins performed admirably for Newborough.
Moe Newborough Allies and Boisdale-Briagolong took part in a gripping, potentially match of the day at lunchtime in the senior women’s competition.
The Bombers got by in a close four-point affair, coming from behind in the last quarter.
After being down in each of the first two terms, the Allies hit the front with two goals in the third quarter to lead by three points with one quarter spare.
With each side battling to control territory and see out a win, Boisdale-Briagolong ceased on an opportunity early in the final term, with Isabelle Elson getting out the back of a contest to convert on the match-winning goal.
In defeat, Izabella Rosato, Chloe Gringhuis, Jacinta Davis, Grace McRae and Amber Davis were best for Moe Newborough.
Before the day was out, Hill End U16 girls faced off against Phillip Island, going down 13.17 (95) to 0.0 (0).
The young Rovers should be applauded for getting a side out on the park, as they entered the game with just 14 players and needed some to come across from the other team – but that’s what junior football is about, opportunity to play and support regardless of competition.
Kobie Collins (filling in from Newborough), Shelby Williams, Ruby Westbury, Kasey O’Reilly, Kiarra Hawkins and Sophie Murray performed greatly for Hill End.
Outside of local sides and those already mentioned, Warragul Industrials, Inverloch-Kongwak, Nar Nar Goon, Meeniyan Dumbalk United, Dalyston, Woodside, Drouin, Sale City and Lindenow all made the trip down to Yinnar.
Two special discussion panels also took place during the course of the day in the Yinnar Football-Netball Club social rooms, featuring some AFLW and local exports, discussing many topics surrounding women’s football and sport.
Melbourne and former Gippsland Power player, Tyla Hanks, AFL Gippsland Regional Council member Rachel Ronaldson, and former Gippsland Power captain and Newborough’s Alisha Molesworth (currently playing for Warragul Industrial Women’s) made up the first panel.
Following on from them was a collection of Collingwood AFLW players: 2024 AFLW Number 1 pick and Seaspray’s Ash Centra, Traralgon’s Amber Schutte and Georgia Knight.
During this time, many spectators and players themselves flanked to the rooms to hear any bit of motivation, advice and other thoughts from those now playing at the top level.
In opening up the first panel, AFL Gippsland Region Manager, Tim Cotter highlighted that following on from their declaration at last year’s Morwell Gather Round of reaching 50/50 between male and female participation in football, the region is up 14 per cent at around 2000 female participants in 2025.
Major sponsor of the event, Latrobe Health Services, also staged a Shane Warne Health Check station for all to utilise throughout the day.
