Diamond Creek gallant in defeat to VFL Women’s dominant team Darebin Falcons in grand final

HAD this Diamond Creek team been brought together in any other era, its trophy cabinet would be flush with premiership cups.

Dejected Diamond Creek players after losing to Darbin Falcons during the VFL Women's Grand Final. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

HAD this Diamond Creek team been brought together in any other era, its trophy cabinet would be flush with premiership cups.

But this is an era of women’s football dominated by Darebin Falcons, the side which has trumped the Creekers in four of the past five grand finals.

And so it proved again on Sunday in the latest instalment of the VFLW’s greatest rivalry.

The Falcons stood tall in the pressure moments of the decider, triumphing 5.5 (35) to 4.4 (28) to win their fifth consecutive flag.

Diamond Creek defender Laura Duryea looks on in despair as Katie Brennan kicks the sealer for Darebin. Picture: Michael Klein.

Each time Diamond Creek threatened after Ebony Marinoff gave Darebin a 19-point lead four minutes into the second quarter, the Falcons had an answer.

There was Daisy Pearce channelling her inner Dustin Martin, producing an emphatic fend off and goaling on the run.

Then it was Katie Brennan, the VFLW best and fairest, who booted a clutch goal from the right forward pocket after two majors from Sophie Abbatangelo brought the Creekers to within nine points.

Daisy Pearce gathers under pressure from Diamond Creek’s Shae Audley. Picture: Michael Klein.

There was still seven minutes to play when Katie Loynes slotted Diamond Creek’s fourth goal, but the task was beyond the gallant Creekers.

“They are just an amazing side,” Diamond Creek coach Scott Gowans said of Darebin.

“You always look to your leaders and your better players to stand up in big games and theirs do. “I have got full admiration for them.”

Reni Hicks is wrapped up in possession during the VFL Women’s grand final. Picture: Andy Brownbill.

Gowans could not have been prouder of the way his side fought its way into the match after Meghan McDonald, Brennan and Marinoff kicked the opening three goals.

Skipper Steph Chiocci willed herself to contest after contest, Loynes tackled with a purpose and Lauren Morecroft was resolute in defence.

It took until eight minutes into the third term for Diamond Creek to kick its first goal after top AFLW draft prospect Chloe Molloy was clattered into by Falcons on-baller Karen Paxman.

The impact left Molloy with a suspected broken collarbone, but she bravely returned to the field in the last quarter.

“I can’t wait to review our year with the girls and celebrate because I reckon they have come a long way this year and I am really proud of them,” Gowans said.

Gowans hopes to coach on next year, with a decision expected in the next two weeks.