Port win a nailbiter in Women’s Grand Final

 

Port Macquarie Magpies are Women’s Premiers after beating Sawtell Toormina Saints by the narrowest margin possible.

The match was a classic encounter that showcased not only how far the skills have progressed in the two year history of the competition, but also highlighted the passion that the players have for the sport. While the relatively low scoreline would suggest a tight, dour contest this is far from the truth with both teams playing an attacking brand of footy but where desperation in defence meant that scoring was at an absolute premium.

Port started brightly to kick the only goal of the opening term and hold an eight point lead at the first break. When Anishah Burnes kicked hers and the team’s second goal of the match it looked like Port were well on their way but a Saints goal to Rachael Green ensured the lead was limited to 10 points at the half.

The reigning premiers flexed their muscles in the third term with a second goal to Rachael Green and another to spearhead Keira Basset. With Port held to a solitary behind for the quarter it meant that the Saints hit the front late in the term and held a three point lead at the last break.

Port’s main challenge this season has been kicking straight in front of goal and it looked as though that could be their undoing as the team couldn’t convert their last quarter territorial advantage into goals. The Saints weren’t able to add to their tally so Port whittling away the advantage one point at a time had the huge crowd on the edges of their seats.

With the clock rapidly running down, Port kicked a behind that locked the scores. With under two minutes to go it looked as though extra time would be the order of the day but Anishah Burnes took another strong grab at the edge of her range. Whilst she couldn’t take full toll, her near miss put Port in front and with insufficient time remaining for Sawtell to travel the length of the field, the Magpies claimed their first Women’s title.

Cambridge McCormick battled through a calf injury to claim the award for Best on Ground while Anishah Burnes kicked the only two goals of the match for Port.

Rachael Green with two and Keira Basset with one rounded out the scoring for Sawtell.

Port Macquarie Magpies 2.9 (21) defeated Sawtell Toormina Saints 3.2 (20)

This was an epic match of Women’s footy that will further boost the interest levels amongst girls and women across the region. Well done to both teams on staging such an incredible spectacle.

A report on the Under 17 match will be online this afternoon (Tuesday 10 September), while the Reserve Grade report will be online tomorrow (Wednesday 11 September).