Collingwood has booked it's spot in the 2021 VFL Women’s Grand Final after Saturday’s seven-point victory over Essendon at Victoria Park.
The Pies are now just one step closer to the dream of back-to-back premierships.
Despite the low scoring affair, the Pies' fighting ways allowed them to hold the lead throughout Saturday's semi-final and walk away with the win, 2.6 (18) to 1.5 (11) to continue their unbeaten record.
After a goalless opening term, it was Mikala Cann who managed to slot the first goal at the mid-way point of the second quarter allowing the Pies to take a seven-point lead at the major break.
The league’s leading goal-kicker, Imogen Barnett was then quick to put one on the board in the third.
With the Bombers still goalless at half-time, relief soon came in a major from Jessie Davies late in the third, but this would turn out to be their only goal for the match.
Despite a scoreless final term, the Pies managed to hold on for a narrow win.
Cann continued her impressive VFLW season again leading the Pies’ disposals count with 21, while also managing seven tackles and four clearances.
Sarah King dominated in the ruck with 34 hit-outs, five tackles and seven disposals.
"We've fought all season to get to this point and now we get an opportunity to come through and play in a Grand Final. I just couldn't be more proud of the whole group."
— Collingwood AFLW (@CollingwoodAFLW) July 10, 2021
Hear from our VFLW coach Chloe McMillan after the Pies' seven-point semi-final victory over Essendon. pic.twitter.com/QuXKTrYnc5
Ebony O’Dea also made solid impact with 18 touches and eight tackles, along with Olivia Meagher (seven clearances and 16 touches) and Chloe Molloy (16 touches, three tackles and three inside 50s).
The Pies’ pressure down back was immense with the work of Alana Porter (14 disposals) Lauren Butler and Joanna Lin (13 touches).
While the Bombers brought great physicality and pressure, it was their inability to capitalise on opportunities up forward that proved costly in the end.
The Bombers now receive a second chance and will host Geelong in a preliminary final this weekend with the winner set to meet the Pies in the Grand Final on Sunday, August 25th.
COLLINGWOOD 0.4 1.4 2.6 2.6 (18)
ESSENDON 0.4 0.4 1.4 1.5 (11)
Goals:
COLLINGWOOD: M.Cann, I. Barnett
ESSENDON: J.Davies
