The Gunnedah Bulldogs women’s rugby league team is one step away from creating its own slice of history, with the team ready to compete in the inaugural Group 4 Mid Season Women’s Tackle grand final.
Standing in Gunnedah’s way is the Moree Boars, with these teams squaring off at Boughton Oval on Sunday due to the Moree first grade men’s team earning hosting rights.
With women’s rugby league making its debut in the Group 4 program this year, Moree and Gunnedah have been the standout teams in the Mid Season Women’s Tackle competition.
Moree was undefeated in the regular season while Gunnedah lost just once, in the form of a 42-0 thumping against the Boars on Moree soil.
The Bulldogs turned the tide in week one of finals as they beat the Boars 30-20, also at Boughton Oval.
Gunnedah had a notably understrength team in both of its contests with Moree, with goal-kicking one of many key factors in the latter bout as the teams scored five tries apiece.
The Boars also didn’t land a goal last Saturday, as they booked their grand final spot with a 12-8 win over Dungowan while the Bulldogs had a bye after sealing their place in the decider when they inflicted Moree’s first loss.
Player numbers have varied throughout the season, with teams having anything from nine to 13 on the field.
In any game, the two competing teams have been required to have the same number of players on the field although the number of interchange players may vary.
Gunnedah coach Piper Rankmore said it was amazing to see the Bulldogs reach the grand final in their first season.
“The girls have put in a lot of effort and consistency to make it this far,” she said.
“They’ve put in a lot of hard work.
“It’s very exciting to be able to make history and be not only the first Gunnedah women’s tackle team, but to make it into a grand final.”
Rankmore said it was also amazing for the Bulldogs to beat the Boars last time, considering Gunnedah fielded 10 players for some of the game while also being down a player at some stages.
“I think it was just the teamwork that we have, the good sportsmanship in our team and just how hard the girls want to work for each other,” she said.
“I think that’s what it came down to in the end.
“Our defence was really good. We really focused on that.”
Rankmore stressed that “sticking to our game” and “working for each other” would be the key for the Bulldogs to be able to win the decider.
“They (the Boars) are obviously going to come out firing and really want to win against us,” she said.
“We need to keep our heads and play our game, complete our sets and have really good defence again.”
Rankmore said the Moree players had good skills and a love of football, having grown up around football while some of the Gunnedah players by comparison had never played until this year and were learning from scratch.
With the Bulldogs fielding a mix of newcomers, leaguetag players and at least one former rugby union player, Rankmore said some good combinations had been formed.
“We have those girls who are happy to lead from the front and help our inexperienced players out,” she said.
“All our inexperienced players are willing to learn.
“They’re open-minded and happy to learn from others, and help make it a great team.”
Gunnedah squad (to be confirmed): Apryl Bailey, Daphne Cubby, Dakota Durrant, Nautica Eather, Zoe Eather, Aleisha Edwards, Courtney Evans, Dayna Gibson, Elka Gibson, Ashlee Haire, Brianna McCumstie, Torika Nadruku, Jacey Ross, Jess Thompson, Leni Wicks, Tara Wilkinson-Ryan. Coach: Piper Rankmore.
Moree squad (to be confirmed): Simone Blacklock, Shanika Hippi, Jorja Lawson, Maddie Martin, Alyssa McGrady, Tileah McGrady, Stacey McIntosh, Tara Newman, Aleah Peckham, Brookie Prince, Taliah Ryan, Makiily Sampson, Gab Suckling, Alina Swan, Daharna Wightman, Jade Williams, Kaya Williams. Coach: Alfred Newman.
