Poochettes claim AFL women’s premiership

Gunnedah turned a fiercely contested opening into a convincing 21-point victory over Inverell, running out 6.5 (41) to 2.8 (20) winners.

The match was a pressure-filled battle from the opening bounce, with congestion around the ball and committed defensive efforts from both sides making clean forward entries difficult.

Inverell had the better of the early scoring chances but could manage only four behinds in the opening term. The Saints repeatedly frustrated Gunnedah’s attempts to move through the corridor, while the Poochettes looked dangerous whenever their runners were able to break into space.

The deadlock was finally broken early in the second quarter when Abbey Ruttley put Gunnedah on the scoreboard.

Inverell responded almost seven minutes later through Kayla Sims, who gathered in attack and converted to put the Saints in front, 1.4 (10) to 1.0 (6).

Gunnedah regained the ascendancy late in the term after a handball, under intense pressure, created an opening near goal. Corinne Wise completed the move with about two minutes left on the clock, sending the Poochettes into half-time with a 2.1 (13) to 1.4 (10) lead.

Chelsea Palmer kicked an important goal in the third term, with almost six minutes until three-quarter-time, as the Poochettes began to gain control.

But Inverell refused to surrender. Saints captain Clare McCosker finished off a well-worked attacking passage to keep the Saints within striking distance, reducing the margin to just four points just three minutes before three-quarter-time, with Gunnedah still leading 3.4 (22) to 2.6 (18).

The decisive moment came early in the final quarter.

A Gunnedah behind stretched the margin to five points before captain Laura Ewington found space inside 50 and made a clean pass to Abbey Ruttley, with another goal giving the Poochettes some much-needed breathing room. The Poochettes led 4.5 (29) to 2.6 (18).

From there, Gunnedah continued to take control.

As Inverell began to tire, the Poochettes continued to apply pressure, adding two more goals while restricting the Saints to just two behinds for the quarter.

What had been a tightly fought contest for three quarters was transformed by Gunnedah’s late surge, securing a 41–20 premiership victory.

Ruttley led the way in front of goal with three majors, while Wise finished with two and Palmer one. McCosker and Sims kicked a goal each for Inverell.

Torrens was rewarded for her influential performance with best-on-ground honours, capping a strong contribution in the ruck and around the ground as Gunnedah produced a composed finish to claim the premiership.

In the days prior to the grand final, AFL North West also announced its league honours including teams of the year and best and fairest recipients in the men’s and women’s competitions.

Gunnedah players have featured prominently in the Women’s Team of the Year, with Laura Ewington named at half-back, Macey Carlyon at centre and Abbey Ruttley among the forwards.

Arlie Torrens and Audrey Hannaford were selected as followers, while Palmer was named on the interchange bench.

Gunnedah was also well represented in the Men’s Team of the Year, with Darcy Hill selected in the backs, Mason Louis among the forwards and Seth Morony named as a follower. Keaton Walters was selected on the interchange bench.

Gunnedah’s Audrey Hannaford was the toast of AFL North West after winning the Women’s Best and Fairest award on 18 points. Macey Carlyon polled eight points while Laura Ewington had seven points in the count.

In the men’s competition’s Tony Gillies Medal, Mason Louis finished second in the count on 17 points. Seth Morony scored eight points.