Close Contests Highlight Opening Week of FFGL Finals

The 2026 Female Football Gippsland Finals Series kicked off on Sunday, with six matches played across the East Division Girls, West Division Girls and Women’s competitions.

Boisdale Recreation Reserve hosted the East Division Girls and Women’s finals, while the West Division Girls took centre stage at Western Park.
East Division GirlsBairnsdale Girls progressed with a 26-point victory over Traralgon Girls.
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Bairnsdale led by six points at quarter time before taking control in the second term, adding 2.5 while restricting Traralgon to two behinds. The margin grew to 35 points at three-quarter time before Traralgon responded with three goals in the final term.
Bairnsdale finished with a 7.8 (50) to 3.6 (24) victory.

Sadie Stevens, Jasmin O’Connor, Jessica Grimsted, Evelyn Gudgin, Jemma Martin and Lucy Carroll were named among Bairnsdale’s best. Peyton Schroeter, Steevie McClements, Olivia Ambler, Tylah Platt, Lexi Schroeter and Regan Thomas impressed for Traralgon.
The other East Division Girls final produced one of the closest contests of the day, with Boisdale-Briagolong holding on for a three-point win over Woodside.

Woodside led 2.1 (13) to 1.1 (7) at half-time and remained five points ahead entering the final quarter. Boisdale-Briagolong then kicked the only goal of the last term to secure a 3.4 (22) to 3.1 (19) victory.

Summer Harbour, Mahlee Shillinglaw, Susie Coleman, Bailey Sheen, Tia Blackley and Lara Dowsett were among Boisdale-Briagolong’s leading players. Grace Dillow, Manawa Apiata, Esther Hinkley, Zoe Hustwayte, Lexie Francis and Charlotte Dillow were named Woodside’s best.
West Division GirlsWarranor Girls advanced following a strong 22-point win over Phillip Island at Western Park.
Warranor established a 14-point advantage by half-time before Phillip Island fought back during the third quarter. Warranor finished the match strongly to record a 7.5 (47) to 4.1 (25) victory.
Neave Cunningham, Elizabeth Kuol, Poppy Cumming, Amelia Henry, Daisy Martel and Iris Dieu led the way for Warranor. Phillip Island’s best included Lily Bow, Ruby Kent-Ford, Maddison Leed, Sera Szymanski, Lerah Schonewille and Tess Ricardo.
Warragul Industrials delivered the most dominant performance of the opening week, defeating Meeniyan-Dumbalk under the competition’s mercy-rule provisions.
The Industrials took control from the opening quarter and continued to build their advantage, with the official result recorded as 10.1 (61) to 0.1 (1).
Island Meikle, Ellison Bickerton, Abbey Lees, Amy Conlan, Ella Hollier and Caitlin Hibberson were named among Meeniyan-Dumbalk’s best players.
Women’sLindenow South progressed in the Women’s competition after defeating Woodside by 19 points.
Lindenow South kicked six goals to three in the 6.4 (40) to 3.3 (21) victory. Brodi Harris led the scoring with three goals, while Connie Barry, Michaela Manning and Siarra Peters also contributed majors.
Jasmaie Saunders-Baxter, Sophie Hamilton, Cleo Evans, Matilda Pendergast, Aleisha Cantrill and Siarra Peters were named Lindenow South’s best players.

The final match at Boisdale produced another close finish, with Moe overcoming Boisdale-Briagolong by six points.
Boisdale-Briagolong started strongly and led 1.2 (8) to 0.3 (3) at quarter time before extending its advantage to nine points at the main break.
Moe responded after half-time, kicking two goals in the third quarter to take a one-point lead into the final term. Another goal in the fourth quarter helped Moe complete the comeback and secure a 5.6 (36) to 4.6 (30) victory.
Boisdale-Briagolong’s Shani Dixon kicked three goals, with Chelsea Wain also contributing a major.
The opening weekend delivered close finishes, comeback victories and dominant performances as the remaining teams moved one step closer to their respective Grand Finals.