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Eastern Region women’s football: Inexperienced Vermont edges Mount Evelyn to win the premiership

Vermont raised the Eastern Region women’s Division 1 premiership silverware and, adding a fair bit of gloss to the success, it was the very first season for most of the players.

On Sunday at the Lilydale Sports Oval, Vermont raised the Eastern Region women’s Division 1 premiership silverware after a win over minor premier Mount Evelyn.

And, adding a fair bit of gloss to the grand final success, it was just the first year the club’s women’s team had even been on the field.

“Only about eight or nine of the girls had played more than a season,” coach Meredith Denvir said. “I’m super proud of how the girls played all year.”

VERMONT STEPS UP TO THE SENIOR RANKS

YARRA JUNCTION INTO THE GRAND FINAL

EAGLES INTO THE EFL GRAND FINAL

Eagles celebrate (from left) Meredith Denvir, Marissa Lee and Penelope Knight.  Picture: Hamish Blair
Eagles celebrate (from left) Meredith Denvir, Marissa Lee and Penelope Knight. Picture: Hamish Blair

Twice, the Eagles looked to have broken clear of the Rovers and, twice, Mount Evelyn clawed its way back into the contest.

Vermont opened a handy 14-point lead at the first change before Mount Evelyn narrowed the gap to a solitary point at the half.

Again the purple and gold surged ahead, 10 points to the good by three-quarter time, only for Mount Evelyn to edge closer and send some anxious shivers through the Vermont camp.

Jangled nerves were eventually calmed, however, with a 5.11 (41) to 5.3 (33) win.

Vermont celebrates a goal late in the final quarter. Picture: Hamish Blair
Vermont celebrates a goal late in the final quarter. Picture: Hamish Blair

“It was just our determination to get the ball. I think our pace helped at the end,” Denvir said. “Mount Evelyn did a great job getting back but we just turned it up a notch.”

Jess Elder (three goals) and Tennille Nash (two) bankrolled the Vermont win while Nicola Junginger and Abbey Rutherford joined Nash as the Eagles’ best three.

For Mount Evelyn, Katelyn Betts, Isobel Urquhart and Jennifer Anderson did their best to get their side over the line.

Vermont’s premiership win also went a long way to easing the pain of the season-ending injury suffered by co-captain Penny Knight.

“Penny broke her leg in the second game of the year,” Denvir said. “It was a serious injury, she broke her tibia and fibula.

“She’s still recovering and going through rehab. But she was out there celebrating.”

Division 1

Mount Evelyn 0.1 2.3 3.3 5.3 (33)

Vermont 2.3 2.4 4.7 5.11 (41)

MOUNT EVELYN Goal Kickers: N. Bennett, K. Betts, Y. Price, I. Urquhart, I. Rennick Best Players: K. Betts, I. Urquhart, J. Anderson, E. Aitkins, H. L’’huillier, K. Hutchinson

VERMONT Goal Kickers: J. Elder 3, T. Nash 2 Best Players: T. Nash, N. Junginger, A. Rutherford, M. Chamberlain, H. Barry-Murphy, J. Elder

Vermont and the premiership flag  Picture: Hamish Blair
Vermont and the premiership flag Picture: Hamish Blair

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/eastern-region-womens-football-inexperienced-vermont-edges-mount-evelyn-to-win-the-premiership/news-story/afe6771b33f91f15c4d3a785d0b49644