PHILLIP Island Breakers completed the perfect season with a 5-1 victory over Leongatha Knights in the Senior Women’s Grand Final at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve, topping off an unbeaten campaign.
Breakers coach Benita Russell said an early goal enabled her players to hit their stride and “get back into the way we’ve been playing all season, which is about possession, passing and positioning”.
Genevieve ‘Evie’ Titmarsh led the way, named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
“She controlled the middle, just worked really hard on the ball,” Russell said of her centre midfielder, adding, “Evie’s just a champion all round.”
Jarrah Van Stekelenburg opened the scoring early in the match and Phillip Island mostly controlled proceedings from then, Annie Dempsey the winner’s multiple goal scorer, finding the net a couple of times, while skipper Kelly Wall and Christine Hicks contributed single goals.
Naomi Eaton gave Knights fans reason to hope a boilover was possible, scoring an equaliser 18 minutes into the contest, but the Breakers were too strong.
The action took place on a full-sized pitch on Wonthaggi footy oval, that being a test for the players of both sides who are used to playing on slightly smaller pitches.
Russell said her team is well-suited to the larger pitch.
While her side was able to keep dangerous Knights striker Melisse ‘Lisse’ Bath scoreless, the Breakers coach acknowledged, “She’s always tough; when the ball gets to her feet and she can do a run through, she’s dangerous.”
“Our defence played so well to keep her quiet.”
