Putting the rubber stamp on a fantastic season of football will be the driving force for Pakenham when the Lions take on Karingal in Sunday’s South Eastern Women’s Football (SEWF) Division 3 Grand Final at Shepley Oval.
The Lions, the dominant force in the competition this year, will need to be at their best against an improving Bulls outfit that pushed the ladder leaders to just five points in the second semi-final a fortnight ago.
Pakenham takes a three-zip record into the contest and will go in confident despite the Bulls’ improving form.
The Lions gained a positive boost on Tuesday night with star midfielder Lauren Hojnacki acknowledged for a great season of football by taking out the league best and fairest award.
But the Lions are certainly no one-trick pony with talented players across every line.
Zoe Loudon leads a very strong defence, with regular defenders Nat Staunton, Mel Stocker, Steph Scott and Bec Domotor sure to make life difficult for the Bulls’ attacking weapons.
Hojnacki has been a star in-and-under performer this year, forging a great partnership with fellow midfielders Bel McGee, Sophie Gray, Rosie Bureta and skipper Rachel Betteridge, who played a great last quarter to help stave off the Bulls in the second semi.
The Lions also have some pace out wide, with Ros Cook and Chloe Nagel terrific ball carriers, while speedy half forwards Kiana Te Huia, Chloe Bluhm, Renae Carter and Melina Eppel will look to have a huge impact on the contest.
The Lions have three key targets up forward, with Rosie Davis and Kerrie-Anne Micallef powerful players to contend with and Sage Hahn providing a touch of class in the goal square.
Hahn kicked two very important goals, at key moments against the Bulls last time out and looms as a huge threat again.
The Lions also have enormous depth with Beth Studd, Courtney Dodson, Hayley Denboer, Tash Wakenshaw and Danielle Case all sure to be called upon to play important roles.
The improvement of this Pakenham line up has been impressive this year after the Lions won just three games in their inaugural season in the competition last year.
Coach Tom Bluhm and his coaching staff of Dave Nagel and Dave Case are extremely proud of the girls’ efforts this year and would love nothing better than to see the girls take out the ultimate prize.
The Lions kick off a huge triple header of grand final action at 11am on Sunday.
The Division 2 grand final between Tyabb and Murrumbeena will follow at 1pm before the Eastern Devils look to make it three premierships on the trot in the division one decider against St Kilda at 3pm.
