The inaugural Limestone Coast Women’s Football League Under 16’s competition has already broken ground and the stage is set for the first ever premier to be decided in this Sunday’s historic grand final.
On Sunday, February 13, South Gambier and Kybybolite made history kicking off the new Under 16’s girls’ competition and this weekend the same teams will fight for the right to be forever known as the inaugural premiers.
Since the opening round the standard of football has been rated high by many in the crowd alike.
Having only a four-team competition it was a trial to see if it could work which it has, so hats of the management of the league in doing so.
Many teams are filled with girls who play Under 16’s and the play in the open side which gives them great confidence and extra football knowledge.
The stage is all set for Kongorong and South Gambier to do battle in this game.
The Hawks are the team to beat after going through the season unbeaten.
Kongorong has a variety of players who can move around the ground and fill key positions which will make sure South has its hands full.
Kate Wright, Stevie Collins and Stevie Clayton have been some of the most consistent performers and built up some form in a low-scoring semi-final win over Kybybolite last week.
The defence stood tall restricting Kyby to just two behinds all day and will be turned to by coach Michael Dethmore as one of the keys to success.
After controlling the semi against North Gambier, South Gambier has proved it is the team that can challenge Kyby for the flag.
The Demons were one of three teams to finish the minor round season with two wins on the board, but came to play in the semi.
South created 12 scoring shots to one which is a positive sign its midfield and forward line has good connection, but efficiency in front of goal is an issue.
Thanks to Leonie Robertson, the Demons only scored one goal from all of those chances at Kybybolte and must be more accurate to mount a challenge to Kongorong.
The Demons have some movers and shakers and will cause headaches for the young Hawks.
Players to keep an eye on for south will be Scarlett Creek, Jarrah Altschwager and Ella Guest while for the Hawks.
The team who settles the nerves the quickest will gain the advantage and have one hand one the premiership trophy.
All the young players will walk onto the field inspired by the events at Adelaide Oval 24 hours earlier when Adelaide and Melbourne will fight for the AFLW premiership.
Teams were not announced at the time of print, but Mount Gambier’s Brooke Tonon is a big chance of performing on the big stage in her debut season.
Since bursting onto the scene against GWS, Tonon has played three games averging seven disposals and almost five kicks a match.
The Mount Gambier teenager can put her hand up to play at all ends of the ground having helped Glenelg to a SANFLW premiership last year as a defender, but breaking into the Crows side as a forward.
“Chook” managed to keep her place in the side for last weekend’s massive preliminary final against Fremantle where she beat her career-best figures for disposals, kicks, marks and tackles.
There is no doubt many in the Limestone Coast will be tuning in 12pm this Saturday to see if Tonon and the Crows can wrestle back the premiership against Melbourne.
