Four seasons, four flags, one loss: the U16 Girls dynasty

Some teams have a good season. Hatherleigh's U16 Girls have had a good era.

Since joining the Limestone Coast Women's Football League (LCWFL) under-16 competition ahead of the 2022 season, the Eagles have become the benchmark of regional South Australian girls football. They have won four consecutive premierships, from 2022 to 2025, and lost just one game in those four seasons.

2022: A maiden flag at the first attempt

In their very first year in the competition, the girls went all the way. The grand final against North Gambier was a thriller, and Hatherleigh held on to win 10 to 7 and claim the club's first U16 Girls premiership.

2023: Undefeated

The second season was simply dominant. The girls went through the year undefeated, including a 144-point win over the Kybybolite Tigers in which the Tigers didn't score, and finished it with back-to-back premierships.

2024: Three in a row

The hat-trick. Under coach Laura Chester, Hatherleigh completed a comprehensive three-in-a-row, beating North Gambier 6.9 (45) to 2.1 (13) in the grand final at Millicent, with Hannah Bellinger named best on ground.

2025: Four straight

The run rolled on to a fourth consecutive flag, capping four years with just one loss. It is a record that places this group among the most dominant junior sides in regional South Australian football.

More than the scoreboard

Four flags tell part of the story. The bigger one is what this team has done for girls football at Hatherleigh. A generation of girls now sees football as their game, pulls on the blue and gold with pride, and has a clear pathway from Auskick and U13s through to U16s and beyond.

Congratulations to every player, coach, team manager, trainer and parent who has been part of this remarkable run. You've set a standard the whole club is proud of.

Hatherleigh U16 Girls on PlayHQ