Vic Park go back-to-back in thrilling season finale

Victoria Park have gone back-to-back in stunning fashion in the 2021 Women’s All Flags Premier League, after defeating Westside Wolves in a strong performance for the side.

The win showcases the leaps and bounds in which Victoria Park has come in the women’s All Flags Premier League, with their win in 2020 the first ever women’s Grand Final win in the top division for the club.

Hockeyroos and Victoria Park defensive stalwart Karri Somerville was the star of the show, securing the Shirley Leece Medal for MVP after scoring a thrilling hat-trick of goals in the match.

Speaking on the win, Somerville said although going the home with the MVP was an honour she was thrilled to claim, the win came off the back of a strong performance across the field.

“It’s a big honour to win the Shirley Leece medal (as player of the match) but really the credit goes to the team,” Somerville says.

“The strikers did a great job of getting the ball in the right places and the whole team, across all positions, played their parts; it’s a real credit to how strong we are as a group.”

Somerville returned from Tokyo at the right time, added much needed defensive pressure to help Victoria Park steam roll through finals.

“It feels great to go back to back after our title last year – and we’re hopeful we can go again next year too,” Somerville says.

“To be able to come back from Tokyo and win the women’s All Flags Premier League title is amazing – it’s a really special moment and great to share it with a special group of girls.”

The match was a tight contest; Somerville opened the scoring in the 15^th through a penalty corner but Wolves replied quickly, with Jackie Pereira Top Goal Scorer Award recipient for 2021 in Elly Buckley finding the back of the net.

The sides stayed at a 1-1 deadlock until the final quarter until Somerville provided the answers with two goals in a three-minute period to sink Wolves and claim Vic Park’s second Grand Final win in two years.