Melton Centrals are looking for revenge against Manor Lakes in the Victorian Women’s Football League north-west grand final.
Having suffered their first loss of the season, a one-point thriller against Manor Lakes in the semi-finals, Centrals made the most of their second chance at a grand final spot on Sunday against Shepparton.
Shepparton provided another close final but it was Centrals at the winning end of the scoreboard: 6.5 (41)-5.4 (34).
The win booked them a grand final showdown with Manor Lakes.
Centrals coach Janelle Martin said it was a relief to make it through to the grand final, having been the best team all season.
“I think we needed that loss,” she said. “It has motivated the girls and I think we play better without having the break.”
On Sunday, the match played out as Martin expected: a hard-fought contest.
“It was very tough,” she said. “They brought everything and it was what I’d hoped it would be, a hard-fought slog that went in our direction for the whole game. There was no point at which I thought they’d kick away.”
The experienced Chelsea Forbes starred up forward for Centrals with three goals, while Alice Masters took on an unfamiliar rucking role and dominated.
Shireace Newton, Linda Morren and Louise Martino were others to stand out.
Martin said the club’s normal two rucks would return for the grand final, making for some hard decisions at the selection table.
Two of the club’s stalwarts, Kate Saleta and Tara Crisp, celebrated their 100th games in the weekend win.
Martin said the side was keen to make amends for last week’s result against Manor Lakes, but it would take confidence into the match having beaten them twice during the season.
“Losing last week has been a bonus for us,” she said. “We got another game under our belt and we want revenge.”
Centrals’ last flag came in 2007 when Martin was still playing. Martin said current players Salenta, Alicia Henderson and Forbes were part of the last premiership team.
The grand final is at Coburg City Oval on Sunday from noon.
