Sunbury Lions capped off a stunning undefeated season with the Essendon District Football League Youth Girls premiership on Sunday.
In a season the side could only dream of, the Lions were head and shoulders above the rest of the competition.
They had an average winning margin of 105 points, with their defence, midfield and forwards standing strong all year.
But that meant little in the grand final against Pascoe Vale. Three of the Panthers four losses came against the Lions.
The Lions trailed at half time by a goal, with Lions co-coach Damien Prespakis saying the side was a little be shell shocked.
“Pascoe Vale had nothing to lose and they threw everything at us,” he said.
“We started a bit slowly and nervous. The girls didn’t seem to be feeling the pressure during the week, but once we got onto the field it was a little different.
“We refocused in the second half and played some really good footy.”
The Lions hit the front in the third quarter and stormed home in the final quarter kicking four goals to the Panthers nothing to win 8.8 (56)-3.3 (21).
Madison Prespakis, who is one of the top under-18 players in the country, showed her experience, kicking three goals and was awarded the best on ground medal.
Prespakis said though it was some of the newer players to the game which were the difference in the end.
“A lot of these girls have never played before,” he said.
“Chloe Hodgson (two goals) is only in her first year of football and I think can really make it.
“Terira Fry played on one of their better players. Her tackling pressure is amazing.
“Alisa Magri (two goals) did a good job as well. Annalea Prespakis comes from a dancing background but you couldn’t tell.”
He also highlighted the efforts of Felicity Theodore and Shenay Thomas.
Prespaskis said it had been a really enjoyable season and the premiership was reward for all the girls efforts.
“It’s credit to the playing group which bonded really well.
“We didn’t play our best side every week and all the girls got opportunities to play in defence, midfield and up forward. It’s been about teaching them the game and the premiership caps it off.”
