The 2023 YJFL Youth Girls and Under 16 Girls Division 1 seasons will come to a close this Sunday 20 August with the 'Girls Grand Final Gala Day' to take place at Templestowe Reserve.
The Gala Day will see five Grand Finals played across the two venues at Templestowe Reserve with the first game commencing at 11am. The Youth Girls Division 1 and Under 16 Girls Division 1 competitions have been split into 1A and 1B Pools to increase competitiveness and opportunity for each team.
Youth Girls 1B – Kew Comets vs Whitehorse – Templestowe Reserve 1 – 11am
U16 Girls 1B – Ivanhoe vs Brunswick – Templestowe Reserve 2 – 12:00pm
U16 Girls 1A – Park Orchards vs Kew Comets – Templestowe Reserve 1 – 1:15pm
Youth Girls 2 – Warrandyte vs St Mary’s – Templestowe Reserve 2 – 2:15pm
Youth Girls 1A – Fitzroy vs Heidelberg – Templestowe Reserve 1 – 3:30pm
The YJFL encourages all players, family, friends, supporters and more to attend on Sunday for what will be a fantastic day of high quality football.
For those unable to attend, all matches will be streamed with commentary and will be available to watch LIVE and FREE via our YJFL Facebook and Match Vision Portal available on our website.
Youth Girls 1A – Fitzroy vs Heidelberg – Templestowe Reserve 1 – 3:30pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
1st | Fitzroy | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 38 |
2nd | Heidelberg | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 34 |
Previous matchups:
Round 4 - Fitzroy 49 def. Heidelberg 10 - Victoria Park (Abbotsford)
Round 7 - Fitzroy 36 drew. Heidelberg 36 - WT Peterson Oval
Round 11 - Heidelberg 10 def by. Fitzroy 36 - Ford Park South
Preliminary Finals
Fitzroy 42 def. Ashburton 21 - Victoria Park (Abbotsford)
Heidelberg 25 def. Surrey Park 0 - Warringal Park
Players to watch
Fitzroy
We have had our fair share of star performers and stellar performances this year so to single one or two out would be unfair to all of our players, who always give their best every week. Our results are made of teamwork and togetherness. We will give a shout to our co captains Edie Bridgewater and Ruby Stothers for embodying the Fitzroy philosophy every time they pull on the jumper and bringing their teammates along with them on the journey.
Heidelberg
All year I have spoken about the fact that we are expected to win games with all our Knights girls, but it is the games we won without them that have made a difference. There a re no individuals, we are a team that if all play their roles, the score will take care of itself
Heidelberg - Season Summary
Steve Leeman (Youth Girls Coach)
It has been a long season so far. Last years loss in the first week of finals really hurt and stung the girls, they have looked at that loss as a massive motivation for this year. They decided to start preseason in mid November to better themselves as individuals and a group.
They are a very talented group, that have fun, but can really switch on and are motivated for success.
With many ups and downs and a large number of season ending injuries the girls have all stuck together and supported each other whilst finding a way to dig deep and fight out the challenge.
I feel that belief is a huge thing in footy and these girls all believe what they are capable of.
Fitzroy - Season Summary
Lou Sweeney (Youth Girls Assistant Coach)
The Fitzroy Youth Girls 1 team came out full of energy and purpose with wins in Round 1 and 2 over Whitehorse and Park Orchards.
Our next few rounds followed a similar pattern as the team developed more cohesion and a greater understanding of each other. Having had quite a few players come from other clubs to play their first year at Fitzroy has been a highlight 2023. It’s been great to welcome new faces from Darebin, Brunswick, Parkside & Somerville to the Roys fold; their presence has greatly enhanced our performances.
We faced our Grand Final opponents, Heidelberg for the first time in Round 4, this time at another ‘Home’ ground we are lucky enough to play on, Victoria Park (Abottsford). It was an entertaining affair with some uncompromising footy played and we were happy to get the win.
It’s fair to say Fitzroy YG 1 had a pretty impressive year, handily winning all but one game – the tough 4-point loss to the skilful Surrey Park at Brunswick Street – and drawing one other – an incredibly tense and hard-fought affair against our Sunday opponent, Heidelberg.
The two teams faced up again a short while ago on a blustery day at league headquarters, Ford Park. Fitzroy posted the win in yet another competitive, dynamic affair. As far as Grand Final match ups go, you won’t find anything more mouth-watering than this one.
A massive thanks to coach Phil Murdoch and Team Manager Shelley Pekin, without whom the team would never get on the park. Best of luck to both teams on Sunday. Go Roys!
Youth Girls 1B – Kew Comets vs Whitehorse – Templestowe Reserve 1 – 11am
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
3rd | Kew Comets | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 32 |
5th | Whitehorse | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 24 |
Previous matchups:
Round 7 - Whitehorse 25 def. Kew Comets 22 - Springfield Park
Round 11 - Kew Comets 53 def. Whitehorse 43 - Victoria Park
Preliminary Finals
Kew Comets 78 def. Hawthorn Citz 0 - Victoria Park (Kew)
Whitehorse 69 def. Park Orchards 46 - Springfield Park
Players to watch
Whitehorse
All players have contributed but look out for Imogen Harris, Sanne Bakker, Roxy Maslin, Asher Fearn-Wannan
Kew Comets
The entire team.
Whitehorse - Season Summary
Sue Fearn-Wannan (Youth Girls Coach)
After a rocky start with low numbers and a battle just to make the field each week, our girls started to develop their new game style as a group. This style was dynamic, fast, creative and great to watch!
Loyalty kicked in, and our girls showed up every week and gave it their all. We became a competitive team and have fought our way to the Pool B Grand Final after a hard, physical game against Park Orchards in the Prelim.
This season, Kew and Whitehorse have played twice. Whitehorse won the first by 3 points, Kew won the second by 10 points. The Grand Final is set to be exciting with these two being so evenly matched.
Kew Comets - Season Summary
Marisa Hewitt (Youth Girls Coach)
We have had a wonderful group of girls that have improved every week. To be able to get to a Grand Final is a remarkable achievement and the girls and coaches fully deserve it.
From having a large squad it has been great to see the bond form over the course of the season and the connection grow. To see players come together from a number of clubs to create such a fun environment at Kew is what that sport and football is all about. We are very proud to be associated with this group of players and in their final years of their junior football club.
Whitehorse are a fantastic football team and we expect a very hard fought game. Our two previous games have been very close and high scoring affairs.
Youth Girls 2 – Warrandyte vs St Mary’s – Templestowe Reserve 2 – 2:15pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
1st | Warrandyte | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 44 |
3rd | St Mary's | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 28 |
Previous matchups:
Round 4 - St Mary's 30 def. Warrandyte 25 - Whatmough Park
Round 12 - Warrandyte 22 def. St Mary's 17 - Warrandyte Recreation Reserve
Preliminary Finals
Warrandyte 16 def. Preston Bullants 11 - Warrandyte Recreation Reserve
Camberwell 12 def by. St Mary's 24 - Camberwell Sportsground
Players to watch
Warrandyte
There are a number of players to watch during the match however the strength of the team has been the ability of all 18 players to contribute. With five of our current girls playing their final game for WJFC, we would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Chanelle, Chloe, Mai, Meleah and Shana on their highly valued contribution to the club.
St Mary's
The St Mary’s Youth Girls team is made up of many individuals who each bring something different to the team – so watch out for them all!
Warrandyte - Season Summary
Shane Newman (Youth Girls Coach)
2023 has been an enjoyable season for the Warrandyte Youth girls, culminating in the opportunity to play in the Youth Girls 2 Grand Final. Although challenges have been presented by having a total of 18 listed players, the commitment of the girls and their families has resulted in Warrandyte having sufficient players to compete in all games across the season. Although low on numbers in several, they were highly competitive in all games.
Previous games against St Marys are split at 1 win each. Both games were decided by less than 1 goal and we are expecting the grand final to be as close and tough as previous encounters. With 13 of our players being Under 16 or Under 17, the opportunity exists to provide a strong, exciting and competitive foundation for the Bloods in 2024. Good luck girls, enjoy the experience and Go Bloods!
St Mary's - Season Summary
Narelle Seivers (Youth Girls Team Manager)
St Mary’s Youth Girls season began well - winning 3 out of the 4 grading matches, losing only to Kew Comets, who were subsequently graded to section 1 in the competition.
The first match after grading was a tight one, with Camberwell defeating St Mary’s by 1 point! There were more tight games, with thee games decided by 2 goals or less — it was certainly an evenly matched and tight competition.
St Mary’s and Warrandyte Youth Girls have played each other twice this season. The first, in Round 4, St Mary’s took the win at their home ground, the margin just 5 points. The second clash came in Round 12, with Warrandyte turning the tables at their home ground and defeating St Mary’s by 5 points! We are ready for another tight one, the two teams are closely matched, so it's sure to be a Grand Final to remember.
St Mary’s finished the 13-round season with 7 wins and 5 losses, placing us third on the ladder. At times it has been a struggle to field a full side, and, as like most teams, injuries have had an impact on the side. To their credit, though, the St Mary’s Youth Girls have fought hard each and every week, giving them every chance of success come finals.
U16 Girls 1A – Park Orchards vs Kew Comets – Templestowe Reserve 1 – 1:15pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
1st | Kew Comets | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 |
2nd | Park Orchards | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
Previous matchups:
Round 6 - Park Orchards 8 def by. Kew Comets 22 - Domeney Reserve
Round 10 - Park Orchards 13 def by Kew Comets 37 - Domeney Reserve
Preliminary Finals
Kew Comets 66 def. Banyule 20 - Victoria Park (Kew)
Park Orchards 38 def. Fitzroy 7 - Domeney Reserve
Players to watch
Park Orchards
Emily Rankin, Shakira Harding, Isabel Stoney
Kew Comets
Chloe Bown, Lucy Murphy and Sienna Sculli
Park Orchards - Season Summary
Adam Bosna (U16 Girls Coach)
Following a tremendous 2022 season where we fell agonisingly short by less than a kick in the Division 2 Grand Final, the team regrouped early this year for a solid preseason.
We welcomed some new players and the team has developed together to form a formidable and unrelenting game style. Our hard work saw us elevated to Division 1 and we haven't looked back, to finish the season second on the ladder.
Both games against Kew have been hard fought and we have learnt a lot against a team that has made it to the grand final undefeated.
The Sharks Way will be displayed on Sunday and it will be Our day.
Kew Comets - Season Summary
Stu Spiden (U16 Girls Team Manager)
The Kew Comets Under 16 Division 1 Girls have had an outstanding undefeated 2023 season going where all the girls really improved and developed their football.
The girls are a close-knit team who laugh a lot and have a great time together. Come game day, they all gel together exceptionally well, they have built a great season and are really focused on winning the Grand Final.
All games against Park Orchards have been tight, and it was only one quarter that was the difference in the last game. This will be a very tough game and we expect a hard fought contest.
U16 Girls 1B – Ivanhoe vs Brunswick – Templestowe Reserve 2 – 12:00pm
Ladder Position
Position | Team | Won | Lost | Draw | Byes | Pts |
5th | Brunswick | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
6th | Ivanhoe | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
Previous matchups:
Round 7 - Ivanhoe 16 def by. Brunswick 29 - Ivanhoe Park
Round 11 - Brunswick 46 def. Ivanhoe 40 - Gillon Oval
Preliminary Finals
Ivanhoe 60 def. Glen Iris 1 - Ivanhoe Park
Brunswick 49 def. Templestowe 13 - Gillon Oval
Players to watch
Ivanhoe
Keep an eye out for strong ruck performances from Casey Clough and Stella Davis. Backed up with the on ball skills of Claudia Dal Pos and Natalie Power. With 25 goals this season Olivia Divitcos will be one to watch in the forward line
Brunswick
Isobella (C) and Avaa Hishongwa-Gibb have come through the Coates Talent League Futures Program and often put on a display with game changing plays. Coco Balmain, Abbey Billing & Isla MacLatchy have come through the Yarra Magpies squads this season and you’ll see their exciting talent all over the ground. Sophia Carr and Poppy Dohrman are experienced players whose insights provide great leadership on the ground.
Ivanhoe - Season Summary
Jo Pearce (IJFC Media and Communications)
Ivanhoe has had a hard fought season, mixing it up with the Division 1 Girls.
As a mostly bottom age side there has been lots of hard work with learning and development across the whole team. With 13 new players this season the girls have developed great camaraderie and an exciting game play.
They’ve showed great commitment and enthusiasm every week to earn themselves a Grand Final appearance. There have been many great wins across the season, however they are yet to get on top of Brunswick for a win this season. Both matches have been hard fought and gone to the wire, with only a goal in it for the last encounter. Sunday’s game will be an exciting match up, and all the girls are excited to play in the Grand Final this year and are looking to go back-to-back after winning the Division 2 premiership last year. Good luck girls!
Brunswick - Season Summary
Erin Maclatchy (U16 Girls Coach)
2023 has been a big season for Brunswick Dragons U16 Girls team. We’ve moved up to Division 1 and had several new players join the team. We’ve had strong numbers all season and have really been able to develop additional elements to lift our game, such as teamwork and leadership skills.
We’ve had two wins over our GF opponents this season, but we are definitely bringing our A game this Sunday.
