Eastern Region women’s Division 2: Donvale gets over Blackburn in a grand final heart-stopper

Despite a few anxious moments, Donvale held its nerve to get the better of Blackburn and win the Eastern Region women’s Division 2 premiership at the Lilydale Sports Oval on Sunday.

Despite a few anxious moments, Donvale held its nerve to get the better of Blackburn and win the Eastern Region women’s Division 2 premiership at the Lilydale Sports Oval on Sunday.

Donvale trailed by three points at the final change of ends before holding the Burners to just two behinds in the final quarter while kicking a goal to edge over the line 3.9 (27) to 3.5 (23).

INEXPERIENCED VERMONT WINS DIVISION 1

DONVALE TWINS LEAD THE WAY

RIDING THE WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WAVE

Donvale celebrates with the Division 2 flag Picture: Hamish Blair

Donvale coach Clint Martin said his side had given him more than a few anxious moments before the final siren started the premiership celebrations.

“I tell you what, they almost gave me a heart attack,” he laughed on Monday.

“I think it was in the last three or four minutes (that Donvale got its nose in front).

“I said to the girls ‘I don’t mind winning, but could you stop doing that to me?’.

“They (Blackburn) were up at three-quarter time so to come back was outstanding.

“Tina Liu played injured and kicked a great goal in the third quarter, she was really inspirational with her captaincy.”

Liu, Jess Crundall and Monica Latino kicked a goal each for Donvale, Latino finishing with 51 for the season.

Singing the club song with gusto Picture: Hamish Blair

Like many clubs over the past two or three years, Donvale fielded a team with a large number of first-year players.

“Maybe three or four girls had played before,” Martin said. “Most hadn’t played any sort of footy before.

“This year for me, personally, has been fantastic,” he said. “To take a group right through like that. I never thought in my wildest dreams we could win a flag.

“At the start of the pre-season I thought ‘I’ve got to go back and teach them all how to kick the ball’.”

Division 2 Grand Final

Lilydale Sports Oval (Sunday, September 9)

Donvale 1.2 2.3 2.6 3.9 (27)

Blackburn 0.0 1.1 3.3 3.5 (23)

DONVALE Goal Kickers: T. Liu, J. Crundall, M. Latino, Best players: none supplied

BLACKBURN No goalkickers or bets players supplied

Donvale’s Jess Crundall breaks away from Blackburn pressure Picture: Hamish Blair