By Colin MacGillivray

Minyip-Murtoa made history in 2025 as the first-ever Wimmera Football Netball League senior women’s football premier.

On Sunday at Horsham’s Coughlin Park, the Burras created more, becoming the competition’s first back-to-back premiers.

Despite not having beaten their grand final opponent, Laharum, in two home-and-away encounters this year, the Burras recreated last year’s grand final result by downing the Demons 4.2 (26) to 0.3 (3).

The return of several key players to bolster Minyip-Murtoa’s line-up helped the team to a 45-point turnaround in one week after losing to Laharum by 22 in the final match of the home-and-away season.

Among the players to return for the Burras was Steph Glover, who lived up to coach Nick Cushing’s pre-game billing as the ultimate on-field leader with a best-on-ground performance in the grand final.

Minyip-Murtoa made history in 2025 as the first-ever Wimmera Football Netball League senior women’s football premier.

But the star midfielder had plenty of support, with Georgia McIntyre and Scarlett Funcke also returning to bolster the onball division.

Stacey Arnold also slotted into defence to form a deadly key-position tandem with Jayde Ellis, who was one of the Burras’ best players, with the pair helping keep the Demons goalless.

Despite a 23-point final margin, Cushing said the game was closer than it appeared.

“I thought our game could’ve gone either way – it was just down to moments,” he said.

“Our players took their moments, which was really great to see, but I can’t fault the effort of Laharum. They battled all day.

“They’re always a tough match-up coming in, and we knew that.

“Our girls were just good in the contest and took their opportunities in front of goal when we needed it, which was great to see.”

Best for the beaten Demons were defender Ema Iredell, captain Jess Cannane, midfielders Violet McGennisken and Lilly Weir and wing Cat O’Dea.

The game marked a second straight grand final defeat for the Demons, who have topped the ladder in each of the competition’s first two home-and-away seasons.

Juniors

But while Laharum had to content itself with a runner-up finish in the senior grand final, its under-15.5 girls team celebrated a premiership with a win against Horsham.

Defeated by Horsham in last year’s grand final, the Laharum juniors made amends with a comprehensive 6.3 (39) to 2.4 (16) win led by Ellua Boyd, Bella Spokes, Lilly Peucker, Lydi Boyd and Lucy Miller.

Horsham’s top players included Mila Payne, Chloe Stockdale, Lacy Perry, Indigo Pope, Trinity Wilson and Chloe Symes.

Laharum coach Rachael Fear praised the effort of her players, who won five straight games including the grand final after dropping their first two matches of the season.

Minyip-Murtoa made history in 2025 as the first-ever Wimmera Football Netball League senior women’s football premier.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better day, the way the girls came out and played,” she said.

“They put in the effort throughout the year, and it’s good to see from the first game of the season to the last game the improvement that the girls have made.”

Despite coaching at separate clubs, a unique connection saw Fear and Minyip-Murtoa senior coach Nick Cushing celebrate premierships together.

“She was my mentor at Longerenong College when I was there,” Cushing said.

“It’s pretty good that we’re both premiership coaches at the same time.”