Box Hill Inter have won their third consecutive Women's Premier League Championship, defeating Heidelberg United, 2-1, at AAMI Park today.

It’s the fifth year in a row where Box Hill Inter and Heidelberg United have faced-off in the Women’s Premier League Grand Final, and the victory means Box Hill have won four out of the past five battles.

Box Hill Inter were the favourites going into the match, having defeated Heidelberg 4-2 in the Qualifying Final a couple of weeks ago, but their starting line-up had to be altered after Louisa Bisby tore her calf at training on Thursday evening.

Box Hill got off to a perfect start when Deanna Niceski scored in the second minute with a brilliant strike on the run from just outside the 18 yard box.

Belinda Panella had the first shot for Heidelberg in the 21st minute, but it sailed safely into the arms of Melissa Barbieri.

Although Box Hill looked the most dangerous in front of goal with their slick passing, Heidelberg United had the majority of possession and never looked out of the game.

Box Hill extended their lead in the 75th minute, after Tammy Hendricks passed off a great ball to Aimee Benton to score.

Heidelberg’s Melanie Camilleri, the 2010 Women’s Premier League Top Goal Scorer was working hard all game, and she was rewarded with a goal in the 78th minute after she blasted a volley on the angle past Barbieri in goals for Box Hill Inter.

Camilleri’s goal lifted Heidelberg United, and they had numerous chances to equalise in the remainder of the match.


However it wasn’t to be and the Minor Premiers ended deserved victors, 2-1.

Box Hill Inter – Melissa BARBIERI, Marlies OOSTDAM, Yvette MUSCAT, Krystal MCCLUSKEY (Aimee BENTON 56’), Lauren FARRUGIA, Georgia KOUTROUVELIS, Aleksandra SINCLAIR, Tal KARP, Natalie EXON (Georgie OUDEMANN 90’), Deanna NICESKI (Ebru EFE 87’), Belinda PACELLA (Chiara ROMANO 81’).

Unused Substitutes: Alice RYAN

Goals: Deanne NICESKI (2’), Aimee BENTON (75’)

Cards: Krystal MCCLUSKEY (45’), Aleksandra SINCLAIR

Heidelberg United: Katie NEVILLE, Rita MANKOWSKA, Julia NICOLACI, Jamara MAZA, Belinda PANNELLA, Tyla Jay VLAJNIC, Melanie CAMILLERI, Meghan ARCHER, Michelle VERZI (Tammy HENDRIKS 44’, Sarah GROENEWALD 76’), Jolene MILLER, Katia TAVOLARO
Unused Substitutes: Dijana JOSEVSKA, Maria TSOLAKIS, Lucy BALTA

Goals: Melanie CAMILLERI, 78’


Best on ground: Box Hill Inter’s Georgia Koutrouvelis