Theodora Miaoudis, Charlie Mason, Kayla Smith and Hayley Doohan all took to the hallowed turf the two sides call home, as the Bears and Demons battled for the ultimate Shepparton District Junior Football League Youth Girls prize — but in the end only one side could reign supreme.
The Bears were able to hand the Demons their first loss of the season on the final day of the campaign, snaring premiership success by a solitary point when the dust settled.
But after controlling most of the proceedings and keeping United scoreless for more than three quarters, Shepparton had to dig deep to reclaim the lead after a burst from the Demons had them hit the front with just minutes remaining.
The Bears led by two points at the first change and eight at half-time and three-quarter time, but in the end they only needed one point to be crowned champions in front of a strong crowd.
Finley's young star Theodora Miaoudis, who was a part on the Bendigo Pioneers' list earlier in the season, to put the Bears on the scoreboard for the first time in the game.
"From the moment I stepped on the field, I was told to be confident in myself and all the girls had my back," Miaoudis said.
“Kicking the first goal in the grand final was so phenomenal, it’s a remarkable feeling that still hasn’t left yet.
“In the final minutes of the game, it was so close and I felt like there was no one watching us and I was just in the zone and wanted to stop them scoring."
Ashleigh Pimlott was the Bear who managed a major in the final moments to seal success.
"I feel so privileged to be a back-to-back premiership player, when the final siren went it felt so surreal," Miaoudis added.
"I have never been so happy than what I was when the final siren sounded."
Teagan Brett was a clear choice for the AFL Victoria Country Medal no matter which camp you came from, with Kayla Smith, Maya Ingham, Hayley Doohan and Alexia Andronaco also impressing for the Bears.
Shepparton Notre coach Fred Adronaco praised the efforts of his side.
‘‘Kayla was great on a wing and our half-back line was brilliant, Maya, Hayley and Alexia, to keep the top side to no score for pretty much three-and-a-half quarters is an amazing effort," he said.
It was a heroic effort by Miaoudis, battling through an ACL injury she suffered earlier in the season to play in the decider.
She said she was still determined to play football and rejoining her Bears was an easy decision with the support and welcoming she received.
“The support I’ve received from Fred Andronaco (coach), Leigh Egan (assistant coach), Wayne Henery, Tracie Doohan, my partner Liam (Osborne) and all the Bears girls allowed me to get back on the field.
“Although, I still need a full ACL reconstruction, I was determined to get back and they led me in the right direction to get my strength and game confidence back.
“My knee still ached a lot during the games and training, however, I was so focused and driven to push myself to be on the ground to win the premiership.
“The Shepparton Notre Bears are more than just a team I play for, they’re my family and I’m so appreciative.”
