Grand Final Day 2026

Grand Final Day 2026 - A Day to Remember at Woodend Hesket FNC

12 September 2026 | Romsey Park

Grand Final day 2026 will be remembered for a long time at Woodend Hesket Football Netball Club.

Two teams. Two Grand Finals. Two extraordinary stories of effort, belief and community. One of the greatest days in the club's recent history.

Here is how it unfolded.

A GRADE NETBALL - PREMIERS. FOUR IN A ROW.

Woodend Hesket 59 def. Wallan 34

They did it. They actually did it.

On a sunny Saturday at Romsey Park, our A Grade Netballers produced one of the most dominant Grand Final performances in RDFNL history, defeating Wallan 59–34 to claim a fourth consecutive premiership. The winning margin of 25 goals was the largest in any of the five Riddell League Grand Finals played at Romsey. Nobody has ever done what this group has done - and nobody can take it away from them.

Four premierships. Five straight Grand Finals. The greatest A Grade team in the history of the RDFNL.

The Hawks started with purpose and never looked back. From the opening quarter, the class and composure of this side was evident. Quick positional movements, brilliant interceptions and a scoring pattern that Wallan - who had matched the Hawks for three quarters in their previous meeting - simply could not contain. By three-quarter-time the result was beyond doubt, and the margin continued to grow as the final siren approached.

Playing coach Tayissa Coppinger said afterwards she had always been confident the Hawks would be a strong chance. She was unwavering in her belief all week and her side delivered exactly what was required. Every single player played their part. This is what a true team looks like.

Best on Court - Georgia Bowkett

In a team full of outstanding performers, it was goalkeeper Georgia Bowkett who claimed the Best on Court medal - and what a thoroughly deserved recognition it was. Georgia was immovable in the final line of defence all day, making it near impossible for Wallan's talented goal scorers to find clean opportunities. She expressed genuine surprise at winning the award, but the medal is hers - and she has earned it across four premiership seasons with this club.

Milestone Moments

Saturday was also a day for personal milestones. Captain Sarah Duff played her 100th A Grade game for the club - and delivered one of her finest performances in doing so. Angelique Doherty also reached 100 senior games. Both are homegrown Woodend Hesket juniors who worked their way to the very top of the competition and helped build something extraordinary along the way. The Hawks now have four players who have come through the junior ranks and gone on to play more than 100 senior games for the club - a remarkable testament to the strength of the pathway being built here at Gilbert Gordon.

The 2026 A Grade Premiership Team

Kaylia Stanton (GS), Natalie McDonald (GA), Emily Fitzgerald (WA), Sarah Duff - Captain (C), Jessica Martin (WD), Tayissa Coppinger - Playing Coach (GD), Georgia Bowkett - Best on Court (GK), Holly Doricic (Sub), Mackenzie Svendsen (Sub), Angelique Doherty (Sub)

Coach: Tayissa Coppinger | Co-Coach: Kellie Duff

To Ty, Kel and every single player in this squad - thank you. Thank you for the joy, the belief, the effort and the memories. What you have built here is something this club and this community will talk about for a very long time.

Four in a row. The greatest ever. 🏆🏆🏆🏆

U19.5 FOOTBALL - GRAND FINALISTS.

Gisborne Giants 8.4 (52) def. Woodend Hesket 6.12 (48)

So close. So incredibly close.

In one of the most gripping contests of Grand Final day, our U19.5 Footballers gave everything they had - and then some. Coming from fourth on the ladder to challenge the competition's best side, the young Hawks pushed Gisborne Giants to their absolute limit in a result that will live long in the memory of everyone who was there.

The Giants had lost only one match all home and away season. They entered the day as clear favourites. But someone forgot to tell our boys.

Defences dominated an absorbing first half, with neither side able to break clear. The Hawks were right in the contest - physical, determined and refusing to be overrun. In the third quarter, Gisborne lifted their tempo and kicked away to lead by 29 points at three-quarter-time. For a moment, it looked like the game was done.

It wasn't. Not by a long shot.

Whatever coach Jeremey Pennefather said at the last break ignited something in this group. The Hawks came out of the huddle with urgency and conviction, attacking repeatedly and chipping away at the margin with a courage and desperation that had the crowd on their feet. As the clock ticked down, the gap kept shrinking. Gisborne supporters grew nervous. The Hawks just kept coming.

In the end, the Giants held on - 52 to 48. Four points. One of the narrowest Grand Final results of the day.

For the Hawks it is a gut-wrenching way to finish a remarkable season. But it is also a performance - and a journey - to be enormously proud of. Cooper Reed, Ben Rankin, Cooper Marshall, Will Hollins, Jack Roberts and Ben Gladman were all outstanding on the day.

A Message to Our Boys

This group has been one of the genuine stories of the 2026 season. They came from fourth on the ladder, took on the best team in the competition, had them rattled in the final quarter of the biggest game of the year, and nearly pulled off one of the great Grand Final comebacks.

Week after week this squad competed with an intensity, skill and togetherness that was a joy to watch. They built a team culture that any senior squad would be proud of. Several of these young men stepped up and tasted senior football during the season - and every one of them delivered.

What defines this group is not just ability. It is attitude. They work for each other. They compete for each other. They never stop.

To coach Jeremy Pennefather, assistant Benjamin Toman, team manager Danielle Morrison, and every player in the squad - hold your heads high. You made this club incredibly proud.

This Grand Final is not the ceiling for this group. It is the beginning.

The 2026 U19.5 Squad

Rhys Garrahan, Tate Stevens, Ben Gladman, Thomas Soppe, Fred Thompson, Bailey Azzopardi, Hunter Coundon, Daniel Sisk, Cooper Marshall, Austin Pennefather (Captain), Jack Roberts, Ned O'Connor, Will Hollins, Ethan Azzopardi, Riley Coundon, Harry White, Ruben Hewitt, Angus Taylor, Oliver Lockens, Cooper Reed, Benjamin Rankin, Cody Bird, Bryn Sawyer, Finn Dooley, Sam Pomroy-Farrugia

Coach: Jeremey Pennefather | Assistant Coach: Benjamin Toman | Team Manager: Danielle Morrison | Runners: Chris Reed & Finlay Watt

We also extend our congratulations to Gisborne Giants on a well-deserved premiership. It was a wonderful contest played in the right spirit.

THANK YOU

To every player, coach, team manager, volunteer, sponsor and supporter who has been part of this season - thank you. From the very first training session of preseason to the final siren on Grand Final day, this has been one of the most memorable years in the history of Woodend Hesket FNC.

A Grade Netball - you are the greatest ever.

U19.5 Football - you are the future.

The future is bright at Woodend Hesket. We'll be back.

📸 Ian Templeton, J8 Photography, Ties Urie, Frances Noonan.