Back-to-back premierships has escaped from the grasp of the Gunnedah and District AFC Poochettes, agonisingly defeated by six points, 28-22, against the Inverell Saints women in the 2024 Grand Final of the North West AFL women’s competition last weekend.
At Inverell’s Varley Oval, unfortunately for the Poochettes, it was the second time in three seasons that they’ve cruised through the home and away season undefeated, yet were defeated on grand final day.
Also, their previous loss on grand final day was against the Inverell Saints, who between they and the Poochettes, have contested for premiership success on the last day of competition for the past three seasons, with the Saints winning two of those contests.
In a pulsating match at the weekend, opportunities in front of goal were limited, but the Poochettes took an early lead thanks to half forward Georgia Tibbs slotting a major.
Inverell hit back with a major of their own though, and that was to be the last of the goal scoring for the quarter, with the scoreline locked together at 8 all, as both sides had two further shots on goal spoiled for behinds.
Heat at the contest was proficient from both sides, and in the second term, the majority of the quarter was spent by both sides trying to gain clean, clear possession and break away from constant stoppages.
Constant stoppages were a representation of the fact that once either side gained possession of the footy, immediately they were clamped down on by defenders.
Lexi Walker and Annie Elphick dominated the ruck hit-outs around the ground, but the Poochettes struggled to clear the ball from congestion throughout the quarter.
They failed to score for the term, and with opportunities limited for both sides, Inverell did manage to scrap two minor scores for the quarter, heading into the main half time interval slightly ahead of the Poochettes at 10-8.
Abbey Ruttley at fullback was monstrous for the Poochettes, as was half back flanker Casey O’Connell and were it not for their efforts as the last line of defence on occasions, the Poochettes could well have found themselves further behind heading into the main, half time interval.
Third terms have been the Poochettes’ strong point throughout the season, and it seemed as though that theme would continue on grand final day.
Kelly Ewington clunked a mark inside 50, and within the first minute of the third term, slotted a crucial major to wrestle the lead back in the Poochettes favour.
They peppered the attacking 50 arc consistently for a 10 minute period, but outside of Ewington’s goal, could only muster two other minor scores for the quarter.
Conversely, after a defensive turnover following numerous attacks at their defensive end, the Saints marched their way down field, making the most of their single opportunity, and slotting a major of their own having gone coast to coast with swift ball movement.
By the end of the third quarter, that converted opportunity ensured both sides were locked at 16-all, setting up a grandstand finish with the match on a knife’s edge.
However, the Saints with the wind at their back, put together a crucial five-minute period to begin the final term of the season, slotting two majors in the process and edge their way back in front for the fourth lead change of the match.
With 10 minutes to go though, the Poochettes continually progressed the ball against the breeze
downfield, and after numerous entries, they finally cracked the Saints brick wall defence.
Small forward Jayla Woolaston crumbed a pack from a forward 50 entry, running into an open goal for a major to bring the score within a single kick with five minutes remaining.
The Poochettes continually peppered the forward 50, but a mark eluded their forward line and in turn, the Saints marshalled troops behind the ball in an effort to prevent the Poochettes another score.
It worked to perfection, running down the clock through stoppages late in the quarter and although Meg Leaton had a chance from outside 50 on the final bell, it was evidently Inverell’s day on their home patch and as a result, are crowned premiers of the North West AFL women’s competition for 2024 in defeating a valiant Poochettes outfit.
In the men’s decider, it turned into double delight for the Saints, as their men comprehensively defeated the Tamworth Swans by 34 points, 80-46.
AFL North West women’s Grand Final score:
Inverell Women:
Q1
1.2.8
Q2
1.4.10
Q3
2.4.16
Q4
4.4.28
Gunnedah Poochettes:
Q1
1.2.8
Q2
1.2.8
Q3
2.4.16
Q4
3.4.22
Goal Scorers: Georgia Tibbs, Kelly Ewington, Jayla Woolaston – 1
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