By Lauren Atkinson

Football is more than just the game, and Saturday was a powerful reminder of that for the Roygirls, who traveled to Banksia Reserve to face Beaumaris in the inaugural ‘Shining Bright for Holly and Bianca’ round.

The round was established to commemorate the lives of Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, two beloved and valued members of the Beaumaris Football Club community who tragically lost their lives to methanol poisoning last year.

Honoured to be a part of such a meaningful event, the Roygirls donned pink armbands and ribbons to show their solidarity, while the Beaumaris girls also sported commemorative guernseys in tribute.

Despite the forecast predicting a day of wet weather footy, the weather gods played their part in the occasion, clearing the skies to make way for the sun to shine down.

Photos from the VAFA, see more match day photos here.

The Reserves got things underway at midday, with the undefeated Roys bringing in a stacked line-up, bolstered by the return of Clo Taylor and Molly Tancred from injury.

From the first bounce, it was evident that the Sharks were playing for more than just the premiership points, bringing a higher level of pressure and purpose than the Roys had come up against in recent times.

The ball lived in Beaumaris’ forward half for the majority of the first quarter, but thanks to some wayward shots at goal and a resolute Fitzroy defence, the Roys withstood the early barrage.

Eventually, Fitzroy found an opening and forced their way into attack. After a series of smothered attempts, a clever tap from Nadia Conte to Molly Tancred in the goal square resulted in the first major of the day, earning the Roys a narrow lead at the first change.

The Roys settled into their rhythm in the second term, hitting targets in smooth passages of play.

Veteran Tess Young showcased her talent, finding space to slot two classy goals from the wing to give Fitzroy some breathing room heading into the main break.

Returning to the field, the Sharks came out with a renewed fire. They dominated possession until they finally broke through for their first goal, sparking an emotional response.

The final quarter was a tense affair. Beaumaris struck first, cutting the margin to just two points and igniting the crowd. Their wingers pushed into every contest, making it difficult for the Roys to transition cleanly. A stalemate ensued, with both sides battling fiercely for territory.

With five minutes to go, the ball made its way to Nadia Conte inside 50, who showed great composure to kick the sealer. The Roys were able to wind down the clock playing ‘Red Time’  footy, with the backline absorbing the pressure of a Beaumaris side who refused to give up and continued to threaten until the final siren.

It was a hard-fought game that tested the Roys’ resolve, with accuracy proving the deciding factor. Cleo was immense in the ruck, holding her own against a towering opponent, while the defensive unit, led by Aspen “Wags” Wagner, Elyse Campbell and Karly O’Malley, stood tall all day.

“It was a hell of a game and they really made us work hard for the win. They had great defensive pressure around the ground, and they were very speedy and hard at the footy,'' skipper Emma Bourke said.

"Huge congratulations to the Beauie girls for the day. The girls showed such courage and tenacity in light of some really horrible circumstances and they should all be super proud of themselves and the club.”

Next up, it was the Seniors turn. 

The Fitzroy Seniors have had a tougher time than the Reserves so far this season, coming into the match with a 3-3 record and fresh off a tough loss to reigning premiers, Old Scotch.

In her pre-game speech, captain Steph Pitt emphasised the significance of the day and encouraged the team to just enjoy playing footy with friends.

Like their Reserve counterparts, the Beaumaris Seniors came out firing, earning the first shot at goal, which drifted wide.

Throughout the week, coach Nathan “Moo” Jumeau had drilled in the importance of defensive transition, so he was delighted to see the Roys execute the game plan early, with forwards and mids working hard up the ground to support the under-pressure backline.

Young gun Nessa Cooney-Hunt opened Fitzroy’s account, launching the first major of the game from just inside the 50. The Roys continued to win the territory battle, able to capitalise again when Chloe Haritopoulos found herself with space to snap truly, thanks to a strong block from teammate Sunday Brisbane.

The Seniors have struggled to put together a consistent four-quarter performance this year, and Saturday was no exception, with the Roys losing their way in the second term.

The quarter was bookended by Beaumaris goals, with a tough slog in the middle that saw the Roys unable to score. The backline did well to limit the Sharks’ score but were punished when they allowed the ball to get over the back, allowing the Sharks to cut the margin back to a solitary point by half time.

In the rooms, Moo asked the group whether they had delivered on the four key pillars written on the whiteboard. The answer was a resounding no—but with a half to play, there was still time to turn things around.

Back on the ground, the arm wrestle continued, until Chloe broke free from a forward stoppage to kick her second of the day. This was followed by another forward stoppage goal, this time off the boot of Tara Lind.

Much to the frustration of the coaches, the Roys let through another ‘Red time’ goal, leaving Beaumaris in the hunt as they trailed by a single goal at the final change.

When the Sharks launched one home at the 3-minute mark of the fourth quarter, it was well and truly game on. In seasons past, Fitzroy might have faltered under the pressure, but this is a different side – one that is yet to lose a fourth quarter in 2025.

If you had to back one player to lift the Roys when it mattered most, Chloe Haritopoulos would be a safe bet. And when the moment came, she delivered – stepping up with two goals in five minutes to earn Fitzroy a crucial buffer.

Beaumaris continued to charge, with the roar of the Beaumaris crowd growing in volume at every contest. It was an anxious ten minutes to finish the game, but the Roys did well to hold their nerve, running out eventual 11-point winners.

After the game, players and supporters from both clubs packed into the function room for a touching ceremony where the inaugural ‘Shining Bright’ medallists were awarded. 

It was a deeply moving day, where the love, support, and community shown said more than any scoreboard ever could.