Harper Sercombe
For the first time in its brief history Williamstown CYMS women’s team are premiers.
The Seagals were the team to beat throughout the entirety of the Victorian Amateur Football Association division 2 season, which no team was able to do.
The CYs’ boasted a perfect record of 17 wins and no losses, with a massive percentage of 737.5, at an average winning margin of 60 points.
On Sunday, it was more of what the competition had come to expect from the Seagals, a confident and controlled win.
While the match was an arm wrestle in the first half, when Parkdale had its turn with the wind the stingy defence of the CYs’ allowed the Vultures just one scoring opportunity as they took a 13 point lead into half time.
In the third, with the wind favouring the Seagals the game began to break open, booting seven goals and shutting the door on the Vultures premiership aspirations.
The Vultures had their opportunities in the final term but it was all too little too late, with the CYs’ winning 10.9 (69)-2.11 (23).
It is the Seagals sixth year in the VAFA and coach Lawrence Henry has been at the club from the start.
“We’re all so thrilled… it’s super exciting,” he said. “I’m so proud, it’s amazing. It’s hard to put into words actually.
“So many feelings, a bit of relief and excitement and joy and satisfaction, feeling just so happy for the players and all the players that have come through over the last six years.
“They’ve all had a part of it and a little piece of contributing to get it to this point and it’s just thrilling for them that they got to have their moment and enjoy something that the men in our community have been enjoying for 130 years and now it’s their turn which is just amazing.”
Amongst the CYs best were Sofi-Kristin Georgas, Alessia Acquaro and Camryn Tyrrell who all hit the scoreboard and had massive influences on the game.
“Georgas, kicked four goals, she was absolutely outstanding and she really broke the game open for us early with good kicking in the first quarter,” Henry said.
“Acquaro who kicked 49 goals for the season, she kicked three and brought high pressure to the game when it was low scoring early, she was bringing the ball to ground and then tackling and keeping it in our forward line.
“When the game eventually broke open it went her way and she was able to kick a few herself.
“Tyrrell who kicked two goals, she ended up winning best on field [medal], and the goals were just the beginning of it for her. She was just amazing through the midfield, just a clearance machine all day.”
The senior women’s side flag to go with the junior clubs three girls premierships in 2023 demonstrates the power of work that goes into women’s football within the bayside suburb, which has opened the door for another female side to join the VAFA in 2024.
“We just want to keep Williamstown girls in Williamstown jumpers,” Henry said.
“The community team won a premiership and the VFLW team made it to the finals for the first time, so footy for girls and women in Williamstown is booming and we just want to provide more opportunities for girls to be able to play.
“Just keep building on the success and excitement and enthusiasm for the girls.”
The challenge doesn’t get any easier for the CYs with not only a jump into division 1 a certainty but the possibility of a jump straight into the premier B division is on the cards.
“It’s exciting, it’s kind of like a double jump, it’s really exciting our men’s team plays in premier B and it’s a really high level of footy so we’re super pumped to be going up,” Henry said.
While the jump will be a difficult one, Henry said he is hopeful the strong contention the CYs have with the Williamstown Victorian Football League Women’s program will hold them in good stead.
Former CYs and Williamstown player Ruby Tripodi made her AFLW debut on Sunday.
“We’ll keep working with them to provide talent that we develop and also maybe have a home for some of the girls in their program that are looking for somewhere to go,” Henry said.
“But for us it’s about providing a welcoming place for everybody, no matter their skill level, whether they have elite ambitions or whether they just want to have a kick with their mates, we’ve got an environment that welcomes everybody.”
