2025 Senior Womens Grand Final Preview

By Ryan Long.

Premier Division Grand Final – South Belgrave v Park Orchards

An exciting Premier Division Grand Final match-up not many outsiders would have predicted prior to the start of the season. South Belgrave take on Park Orchards for the Premier Division premiership this Saturday at H.E Parker Reserve.

Shane Mason and Dave Boell have both jumped into the role of senior coach for their respective sides this season. Mason and the Saints had the perfect start to the season, winning eight games straight to open the year. The Minor Premiers qualified for the Grand Final after a strong 37-point win over South Croydon in the second semi-final.

Olivia Flanagan and Georgia Grimmer have led from the front, combining for 53 goals this year, while Jemma Mason and Georgie Pruden have given the side plenty of run through the midfield.

They meet Park Orchards who are one of the great stories of the 2025 season, coming up to Premier after a Division One premiership. They’ve had an extraordinary rise and have won the last five finals they’ve played in. Collingwood VFLW star Ava Campbell has been one of the Sharks most valuable recruits, her Home and Away form carrying into the finals.

Jorja Livingstone hasn’t played as much with the Sharks due to VFLW commitments but has come back at the perfect time and will be very important if Park Orchards are able to come out on top this weekend.

The two sides have met twice this season, both clubs winning at each other’s home grounds. In Round Two at Domeney Reserve, South Belgrave won by five-goals after a five to zip second-half, Georgia Grimmer kicking three on the day.

In Round Nine at Belgrave South Recreation Reserve, Park Orchards handed the Saints their first loss of the season off the back of Remy Archer’s best performance of the season.

A huge battle awaits at H.E Parker and we could be in for one of the great Grand Finals!

Tips

Chris Kourtis – Park Orchards by 4 points.

Ryan Long – South Belgrave by 11 points.

Kate Green – South Belgrave by 7 points.

Blake Tennant – Park Orchards by 10 points.

Division One Grand Final – North Ringwood v Surrey Park

Two teams that are no strangers to Grand Final Day, North Ringwood’s second consecutive Division One Grand Final appearance, and Surrey’s Park’s third straight Grand Final.

The benchmark of Division One was set by North Ringwood, who have only got stronger after last year’s Grand Final loss to Park Orchards. They added to an already strong line up with former Ringwood star Grace Ward and Rachel Iacuone returning to the field in 2025.

A Home and Away record of 12-1-1 saw the Saints finish an incredible 20 points clear of second placed Knox on the final ladder. They’ve had great contribution across the board, and their stars have all been in fantastic form in 2025 including Ella Rhodes, Jess Begg, Elixa Wilson, Tayla Deane, Carli Forbes and Matilda Broadhurst.

They’ve had the measure of Surrey Park across the season, three wins across the year by the margins of 32, 35 and 27 points.

However, it’s been very different lead ins to the finals, North Ringwood’s second-semi-final not played out due to a Knox forfeit, while Surrey Park have come off two must-win knock out finals. Their three biggest scores of the season have all come in the last three weeks (75,70,85).

Kate Tanner has been the big inclusion for the Panthers in the back end of the season, boosting their chances entering the Grand Final, having a dominate Semi Final performance against Balwyn.

While in last week’s Preliminary Final, it was Charlotte and Emma Bradshaw that combined for seven goals between them as eight players hit the scoreboard.

The Panthers certainly enter the game as underdogs, can they continue riding this wave of momentum to Grand Final Day?

Tips

Chris Kourtis – North Ringwood by 11 points.

Ryan Long – North Ringwood by 25 points.

Kate Green – North Ringwood by 20 points.

Blake Tennant – North Ringwood by 21 points.

Division Two Grand Final – Mooroolbark v Montrose

Mooroolbark is on the cusp of history, chasing a third consecutive premiership in the Senior Women’s competition. It’s been an extraordinary rise that has seen the club play off in three Grand Finals in a row, a 2023 Division Four Grand Final win over Mitcham, a 2024 Grand Final win over Coldstream, and a date with Montrose in this year’s Division Two Grand Final.

The Mustangs' star players are all in great form in the lead-up to the decider, with Bella McMaster, Emma Beer, Sarah, and Ruby Haberfield all featuring in the best multiple weeks in a row ahead of today’s game.

Danielle Carrucan’s experience up forward will play a factor for the Mustangs, 29 goals from ten games, almost an average of three majors a game.

Montrose have been the finals specialists in recent years, knowing how to win close games, making it a second straight Grand Final in Division Two. The Demons have done it the hard way from the first semi-final, a thrilling ten-point win over the Waverley Blues, followed by a hard-fought six-point win over Blackburn in the Preliminary Final.

Hannah Lawson is having a memorable finals campaign for the Demons, five goals in the two victories and two best on ground performances. The likes of Chloe Jones and Emily Du Vallon, who have both had fantastic years, will be key for the Demons if they’re to walk away winners on Saturday.

Shilette Baker’s final season as Montrose Senior Coach, can she finish the year holding up the cup? Or will Kerryn Ralph and the Mustangs claim premiership glory and complete a historic three-peat?

Tips

Chris Kourtis – Mooroolbark by 18 points.

Ryan Long – Mooroolbark by 21 points.

Kate Green – Mooroolbark by 10 points.

Blake Tennant – Montrose by 9 Points

Division Three Grand Final – Heathmont v Coldstream

For the fourth time this year, Heathmont and Coldstream meet, this time, for the Division Three premiership out at Quambee Reserve.

Coldstream return to the Grand Final for the second year running, once again entering the game as underdogs. They’re yet to beat the Jets in 2025, despite being 12-1 against all other Division Three opponents.

The Cougars forward line is hard to match, Abbey Broughan, Maddy Stark and Sophie Stark have all combined for 79 goals for the season.

The one side that have been able to limit their influence is Heathmont, the Jets keeping Coldstream to just six goals across the three meetings.  

Miranda Marshall has been superb off the half-back line for the Jets while others such as Kyla Morrow, Hailey Ferris and Brooke Mullenger have all featured in the best frequently.

It’s a mammoth challenge for the Cougars as they attempt to put an end to Heathmont’s undefeated run. For Heathmont, an added bonus is that their development squad will also be playing in the game prior to theirs in a huge day for the club.

Tips

Chris Kourtis – Heathmont by 27 points.

Ryan Long – Heathmont by 24 points.

Kate Green – Heathmont by 25 points.

Blake Tennant – Heathmont by 30 points.

Division Four Grand Final – Wantirna South v Vermont Gold

Wantirna South meet Vermont Gold in this year’s Division Four Grand Final.

The Devils were first to qualify for the decider after an impressive outing at H.E Parker Reserve against Minor Premiers Bayswater.

Kamryn Disney has taken her game to another level this year. Versatile, ability to be used in different positions around the ground. Disney’s been the side’s leading goalkicker with 16, closely followed by Darcee Clark with 15. Their midfield group has held strong across the season with the likes of Chelsea Poli, Kathryn McPherson and Sarah Port all performing well.

Vermont Gold have put together a very strong line-up this finals series with many players having Premier Division level experience. That includes Madison and Lucy Freeman who both played pivotal roles in the Eagles Preliminary Final win over Bayswater.

Madison Clarke has proven she can be a match-winner having kicked 18 goals this season, including three goals in a best on ground performance against Boronia in a Premier Division game.

In the two clashes this season, Wantirna South have narrowly defeated Vermont by 7 and 11 points.

There’s every chance that we go down to the wire once again.

Tips

Chris Kourtis – Vermont Gold by 1 point.

Ryan Long – Vermont Gold by 9 points.

Kate Green – Wantirna South by 5 points.

Blake Tennant – Vermont Gold by 5 points.

Division Five Grand Final – Norwood v Heathmont Blue

Norwood and Heathmont Blue meet for the second time in three weeks, both sides into their first Senior Women’s Grand Final.

Two great stories, Norwood entering the competition this year and becoming an instant premiership threat. Just one loss throughout the year. Meanwhile for Heathmont Blue, they’ve bolstered their Senior Womens program with the addition of their second side this season. A huge achievement to have both teams representing the club on Grand Final Day.

The Semi Final saw Norwood put together a mammoth 147-point victory, Abbey Chapman kicking a career best seven goals while Eleanor Shea booted five.

Heathmont Blue are still the only side to defeat Norwood in 2025, and they’ll be boosted with their Under 18’s stars who missed the senior semi-final two weeks ago. Emma Simpson was one of those inclusions for the Preliminary Final against Templestowe, she kicked six goals in the side’s 65-point victory.

Expecting a much tighter contest than the last Semi Final, a great test and wonderful opportunity for both sides.

Tips

Chris Kourtis – Norwood by 33 points.

Ryan Long – Norwood by 32 points.

Kate Green – Norwood by 20 points.

Blake Tennant – Norwood by 25 points.