Demons coach Rod ‘Rocket’ Hogan said his side would miss Paige Prentice, who suffered a broken foot in the team’s final game, but would otherwise be at full strength.
“Training has been very good. We’ve been working on a couple of things to be able to transition the ball between defence and our forward line,” he said.
“If we can structure things around Tarah Bond at full-forward a little bit better and have people at the fall of the ball, front and centre, we should be able to capitalise on it.
“It’s our midfield that I’m putting a lot of faith in to stand up. We’ve got some great midfielders – Ruby Manson has been very consistent all year, and Poppy Peters and Violet McGennisken are Rebels players.
“They’re relishing the opportunity to be in that midfield role because they’re probably not playing those roles at Rebels level. They’re relishing the opportunity and I’m looking for big games from them. When they’ve been back playing with us they’ve been absolutely terrific.
“Then you’ve got the likes of Catherine O’Dea and Hailey Puls – a couple of those girls that run all day and are quick across the ground.”
Minyip-Murtoa senior leader Tegan ‘TJ’ Johnston said the Burras were also primed for the grand final.
“In female football it’s always quite hard to score, so like any other football game, it will mean whoever can get the most scores on the board will come out on top,” she said.
“The first and the last time we played Laharum it wasn’t as high-scoring. It was very much played out in the middle of the ground and it was very hard fought with lots of tackling and lots of physicality.
“If we can put goals on the board and keep it open, I feel like we’ll give ourselves a chance. But they’re very hard at it, which makes them hard to play against.”
Johnston picked Minyip-Murtoa midfielder Ashlee Ison as one to watch in the grand final.
“She has had a stellar year. I don’t think there’s been a week where she hasn’t made it in the best. She stands up each week and is ruthless. She never gives up,” Johnston said.
“Then we’ve got people like Stacey Arnold, who’s been around the club for many years and is super consistent and plays wherever she’s put.
“Our youngest player Maddie Asplin made it in the best last week because she was marking, she had three kicks at goal and she had a fair crack. She’s only 16, so we’ve got people stepping up and playing out of their skin, and it’s just so exciting to watch.”
Johnston said the players and club were overjoyed to be part of a history-making grand final.
“It’s exciting for both of our clubs that we’re going to be showcasing something brand new to this area, and playing it in front of our two communities will be pretty special,” she said.
“It just feels good that we can turn up to something new and compete in a way that we haven’t been able to in this area. To be out there for the young girls who are coming through – to play so they can actually watch women in our area play football.”
Hogan said a grand final appearance was ‘just reward’ for the work his club did to establish a women’s football program.
“It’s a lot of hard work by the committee and the women’s footy subcommittee,” he said.
“We are just really looking forward to it, and win, lose or draw, it’s going to be a great occasion for both sides.
“It’s the start of something and we hope it builds and continues, and that they’re still playing here in the next 20 years.”
The under-14.5 junior girls football competition will also play its grand final on Sunday, with undefeated minor premier Horsham Demons taking on Laharum.
The junior grand final will start at 10am, with the senior women commencing at midday.
Minyip Murtoa Senior Female Team
Backs: Stacey Arnold Ali Perris Alexandra Hanson
Half Backs: Lauren May Ebony Jordan Hannah Dichiera
Centres: Tatiarna Nelson Mikaela Turvey Bonnie Delahunty
Half Forwards: Sally Boyd Tia Cummins Rory Starick
Forwards: Tia Aylmer Georgia McIntyre Adele Reardon
Followers: Tegan Kerrins Ashlee Ison Scarlette Funcke
Interchange: Jayde Ellis, Madison Churchill, Emersyn Gowlett, Macy Fuller, Patria Lees, Clare Whyte, Maddison Asplin, Lauren Cole, Laura Daniel, Tash Mustafa
Laharum Senior Female Team
Backs: 2 Hannah Weir 12 Kate Oleinikov 7 Chloe Jarrod
Half Backs: 13 Emily Humphries 30 Ema Iredell 33 Kate King
Centres: 14 Poppy Peters 28 Violet McGennisken 36 Catherine O'Dea
Half Fowards: 6 Rylee Hateley 25 Mia Geue 23 Poppy O'Shea
Forwards: 4 Olivia Lenehan 9 Tarah Bond 22 Emily Freak
Followers: 15 India Warren 10 Hailey Puls 34 Ruby Manson
Interchange: 26 Jess Cannane, 3 Sophie Quick, 21 Jess Ballinger, 17 Sally Rodwell, 5 Jess Phillips, 1 Maegan Werry, 5 Jess Phillips, 11 Paige Prentice, 19 Ellysha Shields, 16 Bridget Dorrington, 24 Hannah Ross, 29 Maddison Iredell, 32 Gemma Ramsay
The entire July 30, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
