VAFA live stream: Kew v St Kevin’s, Premier Women’s grand final

Kew must wait another season to banish their title demons as St Kevin’s use a dominant third quarter as the catalyst for another VAFA Premier Women’s title. Re-live all the action.

A five-goal third term turned the game on its head as St Kevin’s again rose to the challenge of defending their VAFA Women’s Premier League title in some style against Kew on Sunday.

Kew kicked the only two goals of a scrappy first half as St Kevin’s struggled to make any impact in their attacking half.

But things changed dramatically in the third quarter as St Kevin’s converted seemingly every chance they were presented with, turning an eight-point deficit into a 27-point lead.

Kew kicked the final goal of the term to give themselves some hope of a comeback, but St Kevin’s weren’t to be denied, and they landed the only goal of the final quarter to ensure a third successive VAFA title.

PREVIEW

Kew coach Jess Burger believes the heartbreak of last year’s grand final has her side poised to go one step better.

The Bears will return to the VAFA Premier Women’s competition’s biggest stage on Sunday when they face off against St Kevin’s in a repeat of last year’s decider.

Kew’s attempt to stop the reigning premier from going back-to-back will be live streamed on KommunityTV from 2.30pm.

This time around the Bears will enter as slight favourites having won the second semi-final a fortnight ago.

Action from the round eight 2023 William Buck Premier Women's match between St Kevin's and Kew at T H King Oval in Glen Iris, Victoria on June 3, 2023. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

According to Burger, her side has a “little bit more confidence” in 2023 compared to last year.

“Last year I was a brand new coach, with a brand new game plan, brand new system and we were still growing that,” she said.

“Now that we’ve had more consistency in how we go about it, we’re feeling a lot more confident in those processes.

“We’ve spoken all year about the habits we’ve created over the last two years and how we can resort to those when the game is getting tough.”

Sunday shapes as a massive day for Kew with the women’s reserves side also hunting premiership glory.

That follows on from the thirds team that fell short of its own success earlier in the season.

Burger said her team had greater depth this year, which had allowed the Bears to challenge for a premiership once again.

Kew FC players walk off the field after winning the round eight 2023 William Buck Premier Women's match between St Kevin's and Kew at T H King Oval in Glen Iris, Victoria on June 3, 2023. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

“Even thinking about the awards on presentation night – your most improved and coach’s award – there are six or seven players who could win each,” she said.

“Having three teams has helped. The case has always been that if you have strong reserves it’s going to make your top team better.

“There’s been some weekends where girls have missed out on the team they might have aimed to play in but they’ve gone back and helped their teammates to develop.”

Despite winning all three meetings with St Kevin’s this season, Burger is well aware of the challenge the reigning premier presents.

She is expecting the side who dominates territory to come away with the silverware.

Maggie Mcdonough and Elyce Hay of St Kevins are chaired off during the round eight 2023 William Buck Premier Women's match between St Kevin's and Kew at T H King Oval in Glen Iris, Victoria on June 3, 2023. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

“Every previous game has been an arm wrestle,” she said.

“They’ve got key talent across the field but especially in front of the footy. Bree Doyle is a terrific leader for them and someone we’ll have to keep an eye on.

“We’re going to have to compete for four quarters.”