The final round of the regular season brought high-stakes matchups as teams fought for their last chance to secure standings before the playoffs.
Perth Inferno travelled to Brisbane to face Lightning, while Sydney Sirens took on Melbourne Ice at O’Brien Icehouse.
With Rush watching closely, Sunday’s results confirmed their status as season premiers, earning them the Gower Memorial Shield and the final four contenders for the 2025 AWIHL playoffs are confirmed.
Adelaide Rush, Perth Inferno, Melbourne Ice, and Brisbane Lightning are now locked in and preparing themselves for finals weekend.
Results
Saturday
Perth Inferno 3-1 Brisbane Lightning Inferno controlled play, outshooting Lightning 34-29, with Katherine Bailey securing two goals and Alivia Del Basso adding the third. Lightning’s lone response came from veteran Sharnita Crompton.
Sydney Sirens 3-2 Melbourne Ice (OT) A thrilling overtime battle saw Sarah Edney complete her hat trick with the game-winner, after scoring twice in regulation. Ice outshot Sirens 41-32, with Danielle Butler and Sharna Godfrey netting Ice’s two goals.
Sunday
Melbourne Ice 3-1 Sydney Sirens Ice bounced back from their OT loss with a strong performance, outshooting Sirens 45-22. Ashlie Aparicio found the back of the net twice, while Tara Baker sealed the win. Linda Björling provided Sirens’ sole goal.
Brisbane Lightning 2-1 Perth Inferno Lightning fought back to split the weekend, securing a hard-fought victory over Inferno. Despite being outshot 25-14, they capitalized on their chances with goals from Lindsey Kiliwnik and Sofia Molnarova. Sara Sammons scored Inferno’s only goal.
The Breakdown
Inferno vs Lightning: Perth dominated Saturday’s game with more shots and a commanding presence in front of the net. However, Lightning turned the tables on Sunday, making the most of their limited opportunities. Their ability to secure a win with fewer chances proved crucial in the premiership standings.
Sirens vs Ice: Both games were extremely close, with Ice demonstrating their resilience after an OT loss by shutting down Sirens’ attack the following day. Edney’s standout hat trick on Saturday showed her ability to rise to the occasion, but Ice’s defensive adjustments on Sunday made the difference in securing a split weekend.
Finals on the Horizon
Lightning’s upset victory over Inferno on Sunday had massive consequences, confirming Adelaide Rush as the AWIHL season premiers and earning them the Gower Memorial Shield. They finish the regular season at the top, setting the tone for the playoffs.
With the final four teams locked in—Adelaide Rush, Perth Inferno, Melbourne Ice, and Brisbane Lightning—the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 AWIHL season. Finals will take place on March 1st and 2nd, where every team will put their season-long growth to the test in pursuit of the championship.
Feature image by Phil Taylor
