By Jonty Ralphsmith
The Casey Cannons women capped a resounding undefeated season with an 8-1 grand final victory over Melbourne High School Old Boys Club (MHSOB).
Three first-quarter goals set the platform for the commanding win as the Cannons came out firing and capitalised on their territory, possession and dominance.
By halftime the scoreline read 6-1 as Casey was relentless in attack.
It became an arm-wrestle in the second half with MHSOB working their way into the game and having opportunity to close the margin but the buffer proved too great.
Mikayla McDonald scored three of her team’s goals in the 8-1 win and Emma Harris netted two goals.
The experience of Samantha Dobrich, who has played intermittent games throughout the season in between her coaching duties with the men’s team, proved influential, while Mikaela Davis was also a key performer.
Dobrich’s men unfortunately fell just short in the penalty shootout.
It was a spirited effort to even get the match on level peggings at full-time.
Both sides felt each other out with no goals scored in a tense opening quarter, before Old Xaverians scored twice in the second quarter.
Casey responded quickly but it took until the last six minutes of the game for scores to level up.
The Cannons never seriously threatened to win the shootout, eventually losing it two goals to one.
Craig Moore, David Noney and Tristan Chaffey were the standouts, with the grand final appearance capping a terrific rise for Casey from Vic League 2 into VL1.
The women’s seconds, meanwhile, also made their grand final and won it over Campberwell 2-1.
Camberwell scored the first goal of the game in the second quarter, but the Cannons got on top in the second half, with Kyezanne Holtzausen scoring both of the goals.
Camberwell kept coming but Casey was able to resist, led by club legend Deb Jacobs and up-and-comer Alysha Hall.
GRAND FINAL RESULTS
Men
Firsts: Cannons 3 v Old Xaverians 4. Goals: Bryan Young 1, Tristan Chaffey 1, Matthew Light 1.
Women
Firsts: Cannons 8 v MHSOB 1. Goals: Mikayla McDonald 3, Emma Harris 2, Sam Dobrich, Jess Rowland, Rebecca Wagg.
Seconds: Cannons 2 v Camberwell 1. Goals: Kyezanne Holtzausen 2.
