Eltham claimed its first women’s premiership with a thrilling comeback

Eltham’s Angelique Reibelt booted three goals to inspire the Panthers to a come-from-behind win and the club’s first ever women’s premiership.

Eltham players celebrate their NFL Division 2 women’s premiership. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Eltham is celebrating a historic women’s premiership.

The Panthers claimed the NFL Division 2 flag with a thrilling come-from-behind 15-point win over St Mary’s at Preston City Oval on Saturday.

It’s the club’s first women’s title and could be the start of a quad-trick with the senior, reserves and under-19 men’s sides also vying for premiership glory this season.

Two final-quarter goals from Darebin VFLW-listed young gun Angelique Reibelt inspired Eltham and earned her the grand final medal.

Trailing by one point at three-quarter-time the Panthers surged home, booting 2.4 and keeping St Mary’s scoreless, to win 4.9 (33) to 2.6 (18).

Eltham players celebrate after the siren. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Eltham coach David Cardamone and captain Jacki White lift the cup. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Premiership coach Darren Cardamone said his girls threw caution to the wind with the game up for grabs in the final term.

“Being a point down at three-quarter-time, the girls just went for it and got the win – they played their hearts out,” he said.

“St Mary’s are a tough unit, every time we play them it’s always close.

“We’ve played St Mary’s a few times in finals previously, a long time ago now, and we had a lot of girls who hadn’t played in a grand final before but we had enough older heads that steadied the ship.”

The two teams were rarely separated by more than a kick with St Mary’s taking a one-point lead into quarter-time before Eltham broke out to a seven-point lead at the half.

St Mary’s will rue some missed opportunities in the third term, kicking 1.3, and weren’t able to hold off the Panthers with the wind behind them.

Reibelt finished with three goals to go with her best-on-ground medal in a standout performance.

Jasmine Tilley, Rhiannon Burleigh and Sienna Gunning also impressed for the victors.

“Angie kicked two goals in the last quarter, she was everywhere, her run and spread and kicking ability was fantastic.

We changed her on to the ball but she was mainly at half-forward and brought some fantastic pressure – as everyone did across the park – and was lucky enough to kick a few snags, which obviously got us the win.

Eltham’s Angelique Reibelt claimed the grand final medal. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Eltham players celebrate their NFL Division 2 premiership. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“I was really impressed by Sienna Gunning at centre half-back, nothing gets past her, and Skye Johnston down back as well – they were like a brick wall.

“Bonnie (McDonald) and Sarah (Huntington) and Mia’s (Klaic) run along the wings, a few girls had jobs today and did them well to stifle St Mary’s better players.”

Madison Bickerton was St Mary’s best in defeat, while Ebony Clayton, Caitlin Kreuzberger and Frances Collis also stood tall.

St Mary’s claimed the minor premiership over Eltham and Banyule on percentage as all three teams finished with 11 wins from 14 games and percentage of more than 300.

The Panthers beat the Bears in the qualifying final before knocking off the Burras in the major semi-final to book their place in the grand final.

While St Mary’s earned a rematch, beating Banyule in the preliminary final, the Panthers proved too good again in the decider.

Cardamone believed his players were now ready to step up to Division 1 next season.

“It’s the first (premiership) so it’s one of those getting the monkey off the back type things,” he said.

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“It’s also now trying to build a culture and women’s group that will hopefully play Div 1 footy.

“We’ve still got to play grading games but I reckon we’ve got a good enough list to play Div 1 footy, if they’re in the right headspace at the start of the year.

“Winning a flag, I think a lot of girls will jump back on board who dropped off.

“Two years of COVID stuffed up a lot of people’s plans and we lost a few players but thankfully some returned later in the year and we’re holding up the cup.”