By Callum Ludwig
The Healesville Football Netball Club has got their finals charge off to an impressive start, with both their Women’s and Veterans football teams off to the Grand Final this Sunday 14 August.
The Women’s side will take on Upwey-Tecoma at Belgrave at 12.15pm, while the Veterans are set to play Gembrook-Cockatoo at Narre Warren’s Kalora Park at 3.10pm.
President Toby Millman said it’s a great way to launch the whole club into the finals series.
“The women are just unbelievable in the way they compete, and the veterans are just diehard, battle-weary lovers of football,” he said.
“Both sides definitely have belief, the girls especially, they have significant history and have won premierships in recent years. The veterans have as well, but the girls I think have got another gear to go to, they’ve got a couple of young girls that are just unbelievable and a couple of older stars to help get them across the line.”
The Women finished second, having won 12 out of their 14 games for the season, losing both to their grand final adversaries Upwey-Tecoma in Rounds 6 and 11. Both were tight contests, with the most recent clash decided by only 4 points.
The Veterans have been undefeated since their loss to Narre Warren in Round 1, and finished top of the pops in the competition.
Mr Millman said it’s great from the club’s point of view.
“The women have had a consistent season, with a number of really strong wins throughout the year even though they haven’t got over Upwey-Tecoma yet. The Veterans lost their only game of the season as we were getting out of Covid, and have been a consistent performer ever since, going in as red hot favourites,” he said.
“Thankfully the venues are close to each other, so we will be out in force and then we’ll be back to the club rooms on Sunday night, win, lose or draw to celebrate a fantastic year. It shows we are doing things right and promotes what a great community organisation were trying to put together here, and we want the community back at the club.”
Paula Pavic, Amy Frazzetto and Lauren Rogers have been some of the Women’s side star performers, with Danielle Carrucan their main treat going forward with 31 goals for the season. The Veterans have been led by Grant Newing, Mitchell Hay (who is also the coach of the Women’s side!), Brad Bell and Ben Strong, with Hayden Lamaro’s 27 goals taking out their leading goalkicker honours.
