WPLR: Camberwell 0 def. by Footscray 3

Grand finals are brutal games, especially if you're on the losing side, and unfortunately we found ourselves there on Saturday after our much anticipated final against Footscray. 

Coming off an amazing win against Waverley last week the team were confident of continuing their winning way. We had come up with a saying at the beginning of their final's campaign "Together, every step of the way" summing up perfectly the great team spirit that surround the team.

After cheering on the Women's Pennant A to victory the team headed to the Hockey Centre ready to take on rivals Footscray. With 2 wins against us (one definitely questionable!) we were ready to show Footscray why we were the grade's top goal scorers (107 goals for and 17 against for the season). We started off well, creating more opportunities than Footscray in the first quarter, unfortunately being denied by Footscray's goal keeper time and again. End of quarter time and the scores were 0-0.

Second quarter we took a step back and Footscray capitalised, firstly on a well executed short corner and then on a rebound after their initial shot hit the crossbar and landed for them to put it away after some messy play in the circle. End of second quarter and the scores were 2-0 to Footscray.

Half time and the team were told to believe in their game, and back each other out there as goals can be scored quickly. Third quarter was a tussle both ends with neither team able to find the back of the net.  

One quarter to go - the girls were asked to go out and play the quarter how they've played the last few weeks - believe in themselves and each other and the scores will come. What an exciting quarter of hockey it was. You could see the fire in the team's eyes as they pushed to get a score on the board. Some desperate defending by Footscray and some unlucky chances not put away by us saw Caitlin being dragged with 6 minutes to go. The team lifted another level, with two close chances within minutes of each other but alas they were not to be. Footscray got another goal with a minute to go after a breakaway in midfield and the final whistle sounded to end the WPLR's season for 2023. 

The team may not have won gold on the day but the growth of such a young team over the season has been phenomenal. They play an exciting game of hockey - fast paced and high scoring - and each of the 33 players who played in the team contributed. We may not have got them this year, but look out Footscray, because next year it's our turn!