VAFA livestream: Watch St Kevins v Kew in Women's Premier League semi-finals (VAFA Finals Series)

A week after restricting Caulfield to just seven points, Kew again held their nerve in a tense finale to become the first team into the VAFA Premier Women’s Grand Final. Relive the action from our LIVESTREAM.

Kew have strengthened their premiership hopes after a sensational eight-point win over minor premiers St Kevins at Trevor Barker Oval on Saturday.

The Bears kicked on in the second quarter to take a game high 11-point lead in the game at halftime and then held onto to win, 3.6 (24) to 2.4 (16).

Dakota Villiva, who kicked a goal for Kew. was a standout. alongside skipper Lily Barr who laid big tackles and held onto important marks throughout the day.

The game was a contested feast with the Bears managing to keep St Kevins largely at bay when they had the breeze.

Captain Sarah Cameron kicked St Kevins’ two goals and tried hard as she went into the midfield in a last roll of the dice to get her side over the line.

It was the Bears, however, who held strong and proved to be the better team on the day.

Skipper Lily Barr said it was a contested game and was pleased with her side’s ability to play that way.

“We knew it was going to be tough,” Barr said.

“We played them twice throughout the season, we got one over them and they got one over us.

“So we knew it was going to take our best but as a team I think we delivered our best.”

“We wanted to make sure we were good in the contest.

“We want to be relentless and hard to play against and I think we did that today.”

Barr said it was great to be in contention for another premiership after being knocked out of a preliminary final three years ago.

Bears coach Jess Burger said it was a hard fought game from both sides.

“They were really cracking in,” Burger said.

“I think it’s probably the highest pressure game we have seen from both sides for the whole season.

“Really fierce contest, a lot of repeat stoppage.”

Burger said it was amazing to see the group come so far from their first pre-season session in November last year.

“It’s good to build on our development week to week,” she said.

“The effort and intensity, you couldn’t have asked for more so really wrapped for the group and glad they get an opportunity in the grand final.”

St Kevins will play in a preliminary final against Cauldfield next week for a spot in the Grand Final.

PREVIEW: Recharged St Kevins have eye on grand final prize

A recharged St Kevins will get their first taste of VAFA finals on Saturday afternoon when they take on a high-flying Kew for a shot at the grand final.

Kew will bring plenty of their own energy into the clash after they scored a 12-point win in last week’s hotly-contested qualifying final.

St Kevins had the opening week of the finals off after winning the minor premiership with 15 wins and a single loss - which came against semi-final rivals Kew in round six.

The exciting semi-final will be live streamed exclusively by KommunityTV from 3.10pm, Saturday.

REPLAY: CAULFIELD LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY

Dakota Villiva has been a star for Kew this season, and it has only continued in the finals after she was named in among the side’s best players last weekend — her 13th time this season.

St Kevins captain Sarah Cameron has warned however that her side might put a ‘tag’ on Villiva if she causes problems for them early.

Kew midfielder Dakota Villiva has been impressive in her debut season for the club. Picture: VAFA Media

“I think we’ll let the game start at this stage,” Cameron said.

“Our mentality is always play our game first, we don’t want to give in too much to the opposition but of course, we respect her as a player and we totally understand that she can rip a game apart.

“So first quarter, if she gets 15 touches, we will certainly give her attention that’s for sure.”

Cameron, who leads the competition for goals with 34, said it was exciting to have their strongest team on-field at this time of the year.

St Kevins will take on Kew in their first final of 2022. (VAFA)

“It’s pretty good timing to be honest,” she said.

Kew forward Tara Donnan lays the boot into one earlier in the VAFA Women's Premier season. Picture: VAFA Media

“People probably kick themselves if they don’t have their best 22 in, but for us we’re pretty pumped because there’s been no games that we have played where we have felt like we have been at our strongest.

“So hopefully that gives us some sort of tactical advantage, they won’t know what to do with the match-ups.”

The team will be boosted by the return ruck Sarah Betts, who makes her way back after a long stint on the sidelines following surgery.

“She is back and she is probably one of the better rucks in the VAFA so we’re pretty pumped to have her,” she said.

Cameron also said the success of the club’s thirds team winning the premiership and the seconds still being alive in finals made training strong for them and created a great environment.