WRFL: Caroline Springs break through for first women’s premiership

Caroline Springs has its first senior women’s premiership after beating Spotswood with a star playing through pain to win the best on ground medal.

Caroline Springs is finally on top of the mountain.

The Lakers were crowned WRFL Division 1 women’s premiers for the first time after overcoming Spotswood 8.9 (57) to 2.7 (19) on Saturday night at Yarraville Oval.

Covid meant Caroline Springs had to wait three years for another shot at redemption having lost the 2018 and 2019 deciders.

A dominant second half where they kicked six goals to two set up the dominant victory.

Despite falling behind in the first quarter, coach Dean Ellis said his side refused to lie down and knew once they settled anything was possible.

“Third time lucky, it’s a relief,” he said.

“It’s a fitting reward for those girls who have played in two losing grand finals and stuck around to give it another go. I’m so happy for everyone at our club.

“Alex O’Shea in the middle really set us up after halftime. She won the first two clearances and we got two goals from those. You could just see the energy lift when we kicked those.

Caroline Springs celebrate the first premiership in club history. Photo: Local Legends Photography.

“At halftime we spoke about how Spotty had run away with the semi-final at our ground in the third quarter when they kicked five goals. We wanted to turn the tables on them because we knew we could do it.

“Then we just ran away with it in the last quarter which was really enjoyable to watch.”

Despite playing under an injury cloud, Nikki Perrett was awarded the best on ground medal in a brilliant display as a small forward.

Perrett hurt her calf in the previous meeting with Spotswood but was determined to play through the pain in the last two weeks.

“She kept saying to me all day how bad she wanted this premiership,” Ellis said.

“She was unbelievable with her pressure and attack on the footy. The two goals she kicked really capped it off.”

It was a big day for Caroline Springs with the Division 2 women’s side also reaching the grand final.

They went down to Point Cook Centrals.

“It was a massive effort by those girls to get there, they should be incredibly proud,” Ellis said.

Tamsyn Kirk kicked Spotswood’s only two goals of the game while Caroline Hardeman was named her side’s best.