2025 Herald Sun Shield Intermediate and Senior Girls Division 2 grand finals: Watch back-to-back games live
A final quarter fade out from Yarra Valley Grammar ensured Methodist Ladies College secured Herald Sun Shield girls grand final glory on Friday. Watch both division 2 REPLAYS here.
Yarra Valley Grammar remains on the hunt for a first premiership after a final-quarter fade out allowed Methodist Ladies College to walk away victors in Friday’s Herald Sun Shield intermediate girls division 2 grand final.
The final score line of 9.6 (60) to 4.5 (29) didn’t tell the story of the entire game, with Yarra Valley matching it with MLC for the majority of the game.
Despite following up a strong first-quarter performance with a scoreless second term, Yarra Valley responded after the long-break.
They two goals to one to cut the margin to 10 points at the final break, before a four-goal to one final term gifted MLC the victory.
MLC’s Philippa Rose (two goals) and Yarra Valley’s Mila Zampichelli (two) finished as the game’s only multiple goal kickers.
In the senior girls decider, a dominating five-goal to zero opening half was the catalyst behind Ballarat Grammar’s strong 57 point victory.
The 12.11 (83) to 3.8 (26) contest was hampered by wild weather throughout but that didn’t stop Ballarat’s Maggie Harris from staring inside 50 with four goals.
REPLAYS
Ballarat Grammar v CSEN (Senior)
Methodist Ladies College v Yarra Valley Grammar (Intermediate)
PREVIEW
Yarra Valley Grammar is out to make school history in the Herald Sun Shield intermediate girls Division 2 as it chases a first premiership.
Yarra Valley will take on Methodist Ladies College at 10am at Skinner Reserve on Friday, with the senior girls Division 2 final between Ballarat Grammar and CSEN to follow at midday.
Both matches will be streamed live and exclusive on KommunityTV.
Yarra Valley Grammar had only reached the Herald Sun Shield for the first time last year, and intermediate girls coach Meg Rankin said winning the title would be a fitting way to solidify the rapid growth of the school’s football program.
“We’ve really progressed and developed incredibly in the past year, we have development programs at the school, there’s more interest, we’re able to have more teams playing each weekend because the girls program has really boomed,” Rankin said.
“To have a team involved this year and to make the grand final is huge for the school. It’d just be a fantastic reward for the time and effort the girls put in.”
She said the leadership quality and brand of footy Yarra Valley play are two key factors that set the side apart.
“This group has come together over the last couple of years, our strength really is our fast footy and our belief in each other,” Rankin said.
“We’ve got strong and experienced leaders and great character spread throughout the team.
“We went into most games undersized, our strength was really in our ability to stay in the contest and fast footy and just to continue giving effort and showing up the whole time.
“Our never ever give-in attitude was awesome.”
Yarra Valley progressed to the intermediate decider after a four-point win over Emmaus College, while Methodist Ladies College defeated Our Lady of Mercy College by a convincing 21 points in the other semi-final.
“The girls literally left nothing out there after that last game and were so determined get into the grand final,” Rankin said of Yarra Valley.
“It was such a reward for them to get to play on Friday and they’re thrilled and so excited.
“This will be the first grand final for a lot of players, it’s fantastic for the school too.”
Captain Ella Wilson will be among the key players for Yarra Valley, with the ruck also a great leader.
Jamison Harding is set to return to the side after missing the pool games., and will bring great speed and clearance work to the midfield.
Forward of the footy, Mila Zampichelli is an “absolute gun” who has been in a rich vein of form, she possesses great forward craft and an even better goal sense.
In the backline, rebounding duo Lucia Waldren and Chloe Bilucaglia will both provide great skill off half back, and expect Olivia Stevenson to use her great leap to intercept well at centre half back.
In the senior girls decider, Ballarat Grammar is looking to add a Division 2 Herald Sun Shield title to the trophy cabinet alongside its four Division 1 crowns.
Ballarat is in fine form after a convincing 45-point semi-final win over Padua to guarantee its grand final place. It will face a CSEN side who shocked Luther College in a two-point semi-final upset win, after having lost to Luther by 45 points in the pool match prior.
Ballarat Grammar director of sport Dean Rossato said his side would be even stronger come grand final day too.
“We’ve got a lot of our girls back in the line-up, when did they play last we had a few at Victorian Netball Championships and things, so it’ll be good to have everyone back.” Rossato said.
“They’re looking forward to it, we don’t know much about the opposition, hopefully they’ve got one game left in them.”
Co-captain and Vic Country representative Maggie Johnstone will be among the Ballarat Grammar firepower. The on-ball midfielder possesses great skill and has already earned an underage All Australian nod.
She is joined in the middle by Meg Stowe, who is a great all-round athlete who provides plenty of run and dash, as well as the Rebels-listed Greta Arnel who is another skilful midfielder.
Expect Kizzi Moore to rotate through the forward line and midfield. Moore is also with the Rebels and is an exciting player who has an abundance of skill.
Originally published as 2025 Herald Sun Shield Intermediate and Senior Girls Division 2 grand finals: Watch back-to-back games live
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