2026 Division One Senior Women's Grand Final Preview

The undefeated Balwyn Tigers are set to meet a Roos side that are on a roll coming into Grand Final Day.

Balwyn, in just their second season in the Senior Women’s competition, went through the Home and Away season undefeated, 14-0, before defeating Knox in the Qualifying Final to advance through to their first Grand Final.

Senior Coach Penny Cula-Reid has led the club extremely well. The former Collingwood VFLW Premiership Coach has brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the club, with the playing list growing in 2026.

On the field, the side has been led by captain Sally Lynch, a dominant force in the ruck. She was best on ground in the Tigers' 39-point win over the Falcons in the second-semi final.

Baldassarre kicked four first-half goals in the finals win, taking her season tally to 64 for the year.

Their opposition for the decider is an East Ringwood outfit that’s won back-to-back finals games against Mooroolbark and Knox. New to the Roos this year, Nekaela Butler starred in the side’s Preliminary Final victory over Knox on the weekend, while Chloe Wyatt booted two.

After a strong season last year, Lanii Warren has led the way with 19 goals, the leading goal-kicker for East Ringwood.

It’s a very different East Ringwood line-up to the last time they played in a Grand Final at H.E Parker Reserve back in 2023. A very young squad, the senior side benefiting from the impressive pathway of the Junior club, continuing to successfully transition players into the senior line up.

Their top Under 18 Girls side played off in the Under 18A Grand Final on the weekend which is another sign of things to come for East Ringwood.

They enter this year as the underdogs against a Balwyn side who had many key players return to the side for the finals after missing some footy, including Talia Oates, Sacha Kenna, Cassidy McLean and Emily Browning.

Balwyn have won all three encounters in the Home and Away season, winning 15 games in a row in the lead-up to the decider.

Previous Meetings:

Round 14: Balwyn 9.5 59 def. East Ringwood 3.4 22 @ Balwyn Park

Round 9: Balwyn 5.9 39 def. East Ringwood 1.7 13 @ East Ringwood Reserve

Round 1: Balwyn 10.8 68 def. East Ringwood 6.3 39 @ East Ringwood Reserve