By Tara Murray
It’s three times as sweet for the Sunbury Lions in Essendon District Football League under-18 girls division 1.
The Lions made it a third premiership in a row on Sunday, beating Westmeadows in the grand final.
This would be the hardest of the three grand finals, with the Lions needing to find another level in the second half.
Three goals to nil in the second half would seal the premiership, with the Lions winning 5.9 (39)-2.1 (13).
Lions coach Travis Hodgson said Westmeadows had really pushed them.
“Westmeadows was competitive in the first half and we had to put the foot down in the second half,” he said.
“They are really hard to play against. We took control in the third quarter and it set it up.
“We had a little bit more legs on the ground as the game went on. The last quarter we went through the motions.
“I’m rapt for the girls, it was a good game of football.”
Charlotte Noonan kicked two goals for the Lions.
Reese Sutton was awarded the best on ground medal.
Hodgson said it was a pretty remarkable achievement from Sutton, an under-15s player.
“She finished second in the under-15 division 1 competition medal,” Hodgson said.
“We called her up for the grand final with the under-15s going out in the preliminary final.
“She started on the bench in her first under-18 game of the year.
“She played in last year’s premiership as well. She’s played two under-18 games for two premierships.”
Other standouts for the Lions were Abbey McDonald, Alisa Magri, Chloe Hodgson and Ruby Burnside.
Hodgson, who has coached all three premierships said while they were all special, this one is a little more special.
“You didn’t know who you would be playing. It was even between four or five teams.
“The last couple of years we had been substantially better than everyone else.
“This year we lost two games and had a fair few close games.
“I think this one is the most satisfying as we weren’t anywhere near as dominant.”
Seven girls have played in all three premierships.
The grand final win came without the joint competition best and fairest winner, Georgie Prespakis.
Prespakis played just five games for the Lions this season, having also played in the NAB League.
She finished equal on 15 votes with Olivia Manfre, to claim the medal for a second straight year.
Hodgson said Prespakis was shocked to get the email inviting her to the awards night.
“She played five games for us and was best on ground by a mile in all of them.
“I expected her to poll 15 votes, but I didn’t think it would be enough.
“She’s a super talent.”
It was a start of a big week for Prespakis, who on Sunday night was named the winner of the NAB League girls best and fairest award.
It’s the third straight year a Calder Cannons player has taken out the award.
She follows in the footsteps of her sister, Maddy Prespakis, who won it last year.
