Read what the stars Port Melbourne's rebel VFLW premiership triumph thought of the Grand Final victory.
Claire Dyett
“It’s pretty awesome. I don’t think it has sunk in yet, I think I’ve just done the most hugs I’ve done in my whole life, but I couldn’t be prouder of the group and I’m really looking forward to celebrating it.
“We came out from three quarter-time knowing we had to shut the game down (against the wind) but also still try to move it forward.
“We needed to put the pressure on but I think we had a lot of the momentum anyway to push it forward, so we did well.”
On Lauren Caruso, Maggie McKellar and Kristy Whitehead
“Loz (Lauren Caruso) has played so well running off half-back and can come through the midfield as well, she’s an absolute gun and what a recruit she’s been. I love playing alongside her.
“We trust any player to play their role, particularly Mags (McKellar) and Kristy (Whitehead) played ripper games last week and they played fantastic today. When you see the ball go in you’ve got full confidence that it’s going to come straight back out so it was just fantastic.”
On Beth Wilson’s match-winning mark
“What a grab, that was such a good grab.
“I just saw her looking at the clock and counting it down, probably the best thing about having 20-minute flat quarters is you don’t have to worry about time-on. But she kicked it straight through and it was such a cool feeling.”
On Bella Stutt’s big contested-ball wins
“Bella has played fantastic this year. She’s really put her head down and done what she’s needed to do out on the wing and I love playing with her on the opposite wing.
“Her run and carry with the ball and her pressure and tackling has been fantastic and her ability to take the game on.”
On the celebrations
“We’re going to have a lot of fun.
“I haven’t had KFC all year, that was a bet I made, so I’m keen to go and have some KFC today. We’ll head over to the (Sandridge) Events Centre and have some fun and see where the week takes us, but, yeah, we’ll be just soaking it up and enjoying it.”
Lauren Caruso
“It feels amazing, I don’t think words can really describe honestly how we’re all feeling.
“Honestly I did not think about it (winning best on ground) at all. I think we all played our role and the result came in our favour, so it was good.
“In the fourth quarter when they had the wind we were really gritting our teeth and we thought they were going to surge it forward, but I’m so glad we were able to keep it in our half for most of the time.
“It feels such an honour to have it and be named best on ground. It doesn’t feel real but it will soak in in the next couple of days for sure.”
Federica Frew
“I’m lost for words – it has been such a hard year for me and the team and I’m just so proud of everyone and really thankful to Port Melbourne for having me and putting up with me all year.
“My good friend Olivia Barton plays here and she was in the same boat as me, so I called her as soon as it (the delisting) happened and asked if they had a spot for me at Port.
“But I feel like I was meant to play here because last year after the function at the Grand Final I ended up talking to all the Port girls for about 20 minutes so it kind of feels like destiny to me.”
Kristy Whitehead
“It’s insane, I haven’t quite come to terms with it yet but I’m just so stoked to be here.
“It’s been a big journey (after missing 16 months with an ACL injury) and sometimes you wonder if you’ll actually get back or not, but to be here and have this medal around my neck is a pretty cool feeling.
“I knew Monday (I would be play on Monique De Matteo).
“We’d been speaking about it for a while and there was lots of late night footage to make sure I could lock her down, but I’m just very happy to have played my role and help us win a premiership.
“Corryong has really wrapped its arms around me, which is pretty cool, so it’s good to get a win for them – obviously it’s a big change to come down here but this makes it all worth it.”
Maggie McKellar
“It feels amazing. It’s such a great group of girls and just the way we get around each other – the connection really shows on the field and it was super fun.
“We’ve definitely seen her (Nyakoat Dojiok) play and the past few times we’ve played her she’s been really damaging.
“There were a few talks throughout the week and it was my job, but also the backs and everyone else to lock down on her, so I think I did a good job and it was really good game.”
Emily Harley
“I don’t think it has sunk in. I’m ready to go and do recovery for another week, I don’t even know how to explain it, it’s just insane.
“There were dark days in rehab where you don’t think you’re ever going to get out, especially this year. But the rehab group this year and all the medical staff I can’t thank enough. I literally owe them my whole career and I’m very grateful to be here.”
Eliza Morrison
“We had a pretty rough run through some of our practice matches and we weren’t sure how it was going to go, but then to win a Grand Final, I’m in shock, I have no words for it.
“I was lucky enough to get a job at Richmond and because of the affiliation they have with Port Melbourne, they reached out. I was kind of considering not playing VFLW any more and just focusing on work, but then I took the opportunity here.
“The bunch of girls are so great. I was lucky enough to be in the leadership group as well and we had a pretty young group.
“Luckily enough we were able to keep a pretty consistent squad through those last five to six weeks in particular and I think all the experiences and the hard losses really paid off towards the end.”
Beth Wilson
“It’s unbelievable. We had a great season for our introduction to the competition and then last season was a bit disappointing, but I think coming into this season from the start of the year we all just felt like there was something special.
“From the pre-season camp we had we felt like it was on and there’s been nothing but belief in this group since Round 1, so I’m absolutely thrilled.
“The best part about the competition this year was that nothing was guaranteed, even going into that last week before the finals there were nine teams who could make it and there were no easy games.
“You didn’t go into any game thinking you definitely had it won so it makes winning it that much better.
“I was hoping it would just sail through off Em Harley’s boot, but I just saw it coming and put my hands up and it stuck, thank God.
“I will never, ever in my life forget that (kicking the premiership sealer), it was incredible.”
THE PREMIERSHIP SQUAD
1. Olivia Barton
(7 disposals, 2 tackles, 2 rebound-50s)
One of the leaders down back, turning defence into attack, Barton has been one of the best throughout her three VFLW seasons with her intercept marking and penetrating kick.
2. Kate Dudley
(25 hitouts, 1 tackle)
Dudley often gave the Borough midfielders first use of the ball, allowing them to easily break the game open.
4. Courteney Bromage
(11 disposals, 5 clearances, 10 tackles, 4 inside-50s, 1 rebound-50, 1 goal)
The midfield tackling machine and lead-up small forward. Bromage took to the new forward role like a champ. Changing the game in the semi-final against Carlton, her tackling pressure and smooth ball use inside-50 is crucial.
5. Lauren Caruso
(22 disposals, 2 marks, 3 clearances, 11 tackles, 7 rebound-50s)
The only Borough player to play all 18 matches, Caruso was fantastic all year with her aggressive run out of defensive 50. Leading disposal getter for Port Melbourne, and it showed with her Lisa Hardeman Medal win.
6. Lisa Davie
(5 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 rebound-50)
An experienced defender who gets the job done. All 54 VFLW games’ experience came in handy against a team that kicked the second most goals in the home and away season.
7. Kate Adams
(9 disposals, 1 mark, 2 clearances, 5 tackles, 2 inside-50s, 1 rebound-50)
After a standout 2022 season, the former Murray Bushranger put an injury-plagued season behind her to be a welcome addition to the midfield after an injury to Laura Wright.
8. Kristy Whitehead
(8 disposals, 1 mark, 1 clearance, 2 tackles, 1 inside-50, 1 rebound-50)
The former Bushranger missed 2022 with a knee injury but hasn’t looked like giving her spot up since joining the Borough back 6 in Round 9. Was a pillar in defence alongside McKellar and Barton.
10. Eliza Morrison
(9 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 2 rebound-50s)
Balancing the life of Richmond AFLW high performance manager and VFLW footballer, Morrison has been a great leader coming across from the Bulldogs. Playing defence or wing, her ball use and ability to shut down opposition attack has been a key.
12. Nayely Borg
(10 disposals, 1 mark, 1 clearance, 5 tackles, 2 inside-50s, 1 goal, 1 behind)
One of the original Port Melbourne players, coming through the community team. A skilful and versatile player that has been dynamic in the forward line throughout the finals series.
13. Chanelle Slater
(2 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside-50)
The Southern Saints 2022 Grand Final forward runs all day, often getting out the back of opposition defenders. If she wasn’t on the end of one, she was setting them up, and gained her reward after last year’s disappointment.
14. Maggie McKellar
(11 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside-50, 3 rebound-50s)
In her first VFLW season, McKellar didn’t missed a beat. A classic defender known for chase down tackles, strong one on one contests and a great intercept marking ability.
15. Claire Dyett (captain)
(8 disposals, 2 marks, 3 clearances, 9 tackles, 1 inside-50)
24/7 Port Melbourne doesn’t start to explain how much the skipper bleeds red and blue. Working and playing for the club, no one is more deserving to lift the Borough’s first VFLW premiership cup then her. She ran up and down the wing all day you couldn’t help but notice the smooth left foot.
16. Beth Wilson
(8 disposals, 4 marks, 1 clearances, 2 tackles, 13 hitouts, 3 inside-50s, 1 rebound-50, 1 goal)
In just her third season of football, Wilson’s pure athleticism gave the Borough midfield a great contest in the ruck. She worked as hard as any covering the ground, as proven by her 100m goal saving run in the semi-final and her big pack mark to seal the Grand Final.
17. Emily Harley
(13 disposals, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 3 tackles, 3 inside-50s, 1 behind)
Atter a limited preseason the key forward peaked at the right time. A huge performance to kick three goals in the preliminary final, she was huge when the game was on the line.
18. Kaitlyn O’Keefe
(8 disposals, 2 marks, 3 clearances, 14 tackles, 1 inside-50)
O’Keefe has gone from strength to strength in her two VFLW seasons. A strong tackler and elite ball user, she added a VFLW premiership to her club best and fairest award.
20. Alice Campbell
(6 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 3 inside-50s, 1 rebound-50)
With her great running ability, a move from the forward line to the wing allowed Campbell to get to great spots to move the ball into attack.
26. Jessie Williams
(12 disposals, 1 mark, 5 clearances, 3 tackles, 4 inside-50s, 1 behind)
It is well known the sacrifices the Tasmanian has made this season, living two lives across two states. Her move into the middle has added to the Borough’s midfield strength, getting plenty of first use and giving great supply to the forwards.
28. Federica Frew
(9 disposals, 0 marks, 2 tackles, 1 inside-50, 1 goal, 1 behind)
Last year’s VFLW leading goal kicker has brought her smarts to the Borough. Frew was the one the Borough looked towards to get the scoreboard ticking over, and her third-quarter goal was crucial.
29. Bella Stutt
(10 disposals, 6 marks, 1 clearance, 7 tackles, 4 inside-50s, 1 rebound-50)
A smart footballer, the freedom to run on the wing has been a key positional change. Getting reward for effort with a silky pick-up, run and goal in the semi-final, her two hardball gets and deliveries to Harley were turning points in the last quarter.
32. Georgia Alomes
(3 disposals, 0 marks, 2 tackles, 1 goal)
The dynamic tall didn’t play many games early but was a key point of attack in the second half of the season. She could play forward or back, with her high marking and ability to create a contest giving the Borough a strong forward target.
42. Issy Hartog
(12 disposals, 1 mark, 1 clearance, 12 tackles, 1 inside-50, 2 rebound-50s)
A hard-running, no-fuss, inside-mid. Every team wished they had one. The long sleeves were regularly seen underneath the pack or wrapped around an opponent to shut down Collingwood’s clearance game.
