Our first footballing grand finals of season 2024 are days away with the Goulburn Murray Youth Girls decider leading off on Sunday.
Tatura Park set the stage for both competition semi-finals last Sunday, with all four sides under way before noon as Shepparton United met Barooga, while Echuca United and Moama took part in a border battle without the border.
Megan Fisher was behind the lens as the Eagles and Magpies collided on neutral ground.
Image 1 of 10
Moama’s Kaitlyn Davidson gets after the loose ball in space. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 10
Echuca United’s Jada Bover claims the easy chest mark. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 10
Moama’s Katie Shanon gets her side on the board with a goal. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 10
Echuca United’s Julia Taranto is alert to receive the pass. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 10
Moama’s Charlie Martin powerfully lays it on the boot. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 10
Moama’s Madeline Williams and Echuca United’s Maisy Byrne get up in the air. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 10
Moama’s Grace McMillan goes for the short option. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 10
Echuca United’s Julia Taranto is caught under siege mid-kick. Photo by Megan FisherImage 9 of 10
Echuca United’s Marli Hollamby just barely disposes in time. Photo by Megan FisherImage 10 of 10
Moama’s Madeline Williams looks to load up the long ball. Photo by Megan FisherEchuca United jumped from the outset as Ruby McLeod notched both of her majors in the opening term, giving the unbeaten Eagles a 20-point buffer at the first change.
This would eventually prove comfortable enough on its own as things mostly stayed in place during a goalless second term that resulted in the same margin at the long break.
The Magpies would finally get their moment as Katie Shanon popped through the underdogs’ first goal midway through the third term, but Echuca United put its foot firmly back on the accelerator as more contributors joined the party.
By the final siren, the Eagles had achieved goal-kicking symmetry as well as a commandingly won place in the grand final, with McLeod, Remi Baulch, Lily Dunham and Shaleah Cooper finding the big sticks twice each in the 8.12 (60) to 1.3 (9) result.
The other United side, Shepparton, was always favoured to advance in its semi-final earlier in the day against Barooga, and the Demons made their statement immediately.
Ashanti Walker provided the game’s first two goals before she was joined on the score sheet by Ellie Armstrong, Charlise Ogilvie, Leila Creevey and Chloe D’Elia in shutting out the Hawks, 6.8 (44) to 0.0 (0).
Coach Tom Zampaglione oversaw a comprehensive result, one that panned out better than he envisioned.
“It was a tough game for our girls and the result was how we expected,” Zampaglione said.
“It was good to see some different goal-scorers and avenues towards goal; that’s always a pleasing thing.
“We don’t rely on one or two players and we can score pretty convincingly.
“Our defenders stood tall and were just brilliant. We thought Barooga might score a few on the day, but they stuck to the game plan and it’s always good when they get that done.”
It sets up the decider many would have forecast, with the Eagles seeking a perfect 2024 campaign and United’s only two defeats this year coming at the hands of its rivals to the north-west.
“They beat us pretty convincingly home and away, but in a grand final anything can happen,” Zampaglione said.
“Echuca United has a good rivalry with us and the girls respect each other, so I think it’s going to be a great game.
“We’re in it to win it.”