Football
1 August, 2025
History beckons: Laharum and Burras set for first ever WFNL women’s grand final
The first-ever Wimmera Football Netball League women's football grand final will take place at Murtoa Recreation Reserve this Sunday as Laharum and Minyip-Murtoa will battle for the historical honour of being the inaugural premiers.
The first-ever Wimmera Football Netball League women's football grand final will take place at Murtoa Recreation Reserve this Sunday as Laharum and Minyip-Murtoa will battle for the historical honour of being the inaugural premiers.
In a fitting way to conclude the season, the two teams that played in the historic opening round back in May return to the same ground for the ultimate honour.
The undefeated Laharum side will enter the showdown as favourites, having beaten the Burras three times this season.
Rod Hogan, coach of Laharum's women's side, says the team will look to keep their style of football ahead of Sunday, believing an attacking mindset will be pivotal.
"The girls are really pumped, they're excited for it," Hogan said.
"We'll go into it trying to play the same type of footy we've been playing.
"There won't be so much we'll be trying to combat, but there are some things we're watching out for.
"We'll try to stick with our style of footy and try and be the more attacking team on the day."
Laharum will be close to full strength; however, halfback Paige Prentice will miss the decider after fracturing her foot two weeks ago in their side's last regular season game.
Asked what message Hogan would relay to his side during the week, the Laharum coach put an onus on enjoying the opportunity of playing in a grand final.
"You've got to enjoy grand final week, as there's already a bit of a vibe around the joint," Hogan said.
"We've got a number of players who were new to footy this year, and an opportunity like this doesn't always come around, so you need to make the most of it."
Nick Cushing, coach of Minyip-Murtoa, believes the Burras can pull off an upset, with the side seriously challenging the Demons in their most recent clash in round eight.
"Even though we lost that last game, it didn't feel like we actually lost," Cushing said.
"It just felt like it was a couple lapses when they kicked a few goals on us late.
"So my message to them after was that: 'we are that close' and that would be the same message I'll keep saying.
"We've just got to keep digging in because eventually something will go your way and we'll just keep going."
There will be several critical factors to look out for on Sunday, with Laharum forward Tarah Bond perhaps the biggest X-factor.
Bond has been the standout goalkicker of the competition, booting 17 goals across five games, 12 ahead of the Burras' Rory Starick.
Minyip Murtoa's Ali Perris at fullback is likely to be the primary option to nullify Bond, but expect Bond to get extra attention because of hr prowess up forward.
The midfield battle will be consequential to Sunday's result, with Laharum consistently outplaying their opposition this season in the middle of the field.
Youngsters Poppy Peters and Violet McGennisken have demonstrated their rising talent for the Demons there, with players like Catherine O'Dea and Hailey Puls consistently being workhorses for the undefeated side.
But Minyip Murtoa has several midfielders who have consistently demonstrated they are up to the challenge, including Ashlee Ison and Bonnie Delahunty.
In the under-14.5s junior girls' football grand final, the undefeated Horsham side will go against Laharum.
Horsham will enter as favourites for that clash, but Laharum have tested them on multiple occasions, including their most recent encounter, where Horsham just prevailed 38-34.
Horsham's Indigo Pope and Laharum's Imogen Young will be players to watch, two of the competition's standout players.
The junior grand final will start at 10am, with the seniors kicking off at 12pm.
Laharum v Minyip-Murtoa in 2025
Round one: Laharum 3.5 23 d Minyip-Murtoa 2.0 12.
The opening match of the 2025 season was a scrappy encounter with several new footballers finding their feet in the first half.
But as the game progressed, both sides displayed strength in the contest as Laharum eventually prevailed, showing signs of their speed and ball movement, which has separated them throughout the season.
Round four: Laharum 7.11 53 d Minyip-Murtoa 4.1 25.
A dominant second quarter by the Demons was the main difference in the clash.
The Burras were impacted by unavailability in the game, but demonstrated their tenacity all game.
Round seven: Laharum 5.6 (36) d Minyip-Murtoa 1.3 (9).
While the final scoreline may suggest a one-sided affair, little separated the sides at halftime in a hard-fought contest.
Improved disposals and goalkicking in the second half from the Demons proved too much for the Burras, but if this most recent clash is any indicator, the grand final will be a captivating game.