Live stream: Old Scotch take on St Kevins in VAFA Premier Women’s Grand Final

Jordan Mifsud kicked three of her four goals in an incredible opening quarter salvo as the Cardinals powered to a 32-point victory over St Kevins in the decider. Catch the REPLAY.

Jordan Mifsud kicked three goals in the first term as Old Scotch struck early and never relented to claim the VAFA Premier Women’s title against St Kevin’s on Sunday.

Mifsud’s goals came in a brilliant opening 11-minute spellt as Old Scotch raced out to a big lead and dared SKOB to chase them down.

They never got close, with Mifsud adding a fourth goal in the final quarter to help push the winning margin out to 32 points, 10.4 (64) to 5.2 (32).

Old Scotch led 20-1 at quarter time and three more goals to Mietta Kendall and Eloise Defina (2) early in the second term pushed the scoreline out to a 38-1.

St Kevins eventually found their feet at the back end of the second quarter and goals from Kate Stanton and Sarah Cameron gave them some hope.

Stanton kicked two more in the third quarter but the Cardinals matched them and turned into the final quarter with a 25-point break.

St Kevins needed a fast start, but Mifsud’s fourth goal ended their resistance.

PREVIEW

The best teams all year in the VAFA Premier women’s competition will meet in Sunday’s grand final.

St Kevins and Old Scotch have been the 2024 trendsetters, losing just once in the preliminary rounds and finishing a clear four games clear of third place. In the major semifinal two weeks ago, just eight points separated them in a game that could have gone either way.

Catch the decider LIVE on KommunityTV through the Herald Sun from 2.30pm.

We’ve picked out the players to watch and spoken to both coaches ahead of the game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sarah Betts, St Kevins: One of the most dominant rucks in the competition who will have a big say on the outcome.

Mia Caffry, Old Scotch: The gun midfielder has been brilliant all season, she is a big ball winner.

Eloise Defina, Old Scotch: The leading goalkicker in the competition, Defina has been a revelation after joining from Old Camberwell.

Can Bree Doyle and St Kevins grab the title?

Bree Doyle, St Kevins: The superstar can have an impact across all parts of the ground.

Millie Fraser-Smith: A consistent goalkicker throughout the season with 28 in 19 games.

Hannah Smith, St Kevins: Finished as the powerhouse’s leading goalkicker this season with 27 goals in 16 games.

COACHES’ VERDICT

St Kevins coach Tom Purcell: “To be able to stay at the level we have for the last few years is a real credit to the playing group. We have some players who have been involved for seven or eight years and it’s outstanding how they’ve been able to consistently deliver.

“Old Scotch are the most talented team I have ever coached against. They’re an amazing goalkicking machine up forward.

“This game is a real flip of the coin, anyone can win.”

Eloise Defina has been in great form all year.

Old Scotch coach Dean Anderson: “We lost a prelim last year in our first year in Premier and to make the grand final last week was a real thrill. We know we’re really competitive so we’re looking forward to it.

“We’ve been playing better as a team every week. There’s a lot of new faces in our side, I’m so proud of how far we have come. I’ve been here three years and we’ve managed to come a long way in such a short space of time.

“St Kevin’s are an outstanding team, they’ve been right up there for several years. It’s going to be a great game of footy.”