WHILE most attention was focused on the AFL's Hall of Fame tribute match yesterday, the Victorian Women's Football League celebrated the role women have played in the game.

The league's annual Vic Country versus Vic Metro match, played at NAB Oval in Preston, recognised 100 years of Victorian women having the right to vote, as well as 150 years of football.

Vic Country coach Leann Gill, relatively new to coaching women's football after years with the men's game, said football was her passion.

"This is my 15th year of coaching footy," Gill said.

"I first started coaching footy because I got involved with my sons … I coached my son's team and it's a great passion.

"It's like waking up Christmas morning and not being able to wait for something to actually happen.

"It tickles your spirit and that's what gets you up here on these sorts of days."

Gill's team won yesterday by less than a kick, scoring 8.6 (54) to defeat Vic Metro 7.8 (50). It was the first country team victory since 2003, when the inaugural match was held.

League president Debbie Lee, in a message in the official program, said nothing should be taken for granted.

"Women have always been a part of football in many different capacities," she wrote. "As a mother, sister, girlfriend, player, administrator, trainer, umpire, president and coach and have contributed greatly to the game as we see it today.

"Let us not take for granted those before us who have fought for our right to vote and those who created the opportunity for women to play football in our now structured, robust competition."