No case of grand final Blues at Northern Beaches

The Northern Beaches Blues celebrate as the final siren sounds in the Women's Grand Final. Photo: Brad Greenshields

IT was a day that was three seasons in the making but finally the women from Northern Beaches can call themselves premiership players.

After doing the grand final in 2020 and not being able to compete in the finals at all last year due to a snap COVID lockdown, the Blues finally got the prize they were after with a 27 point win over the Coffs Breakers, the team the Blues have rated as the benchmark while they’ve gone in search of their footballing holy grail.

The grand final was a dour affair thanks to the wet conditions caused bu more than two inches of rain that had fallen prior to the start of the season climax.

The Breakers were first on the board through a fine goal kicked by Jasmine Mulgrew after she pounced on a loose ball turnover inside forward 50. Northern Beaches hit back immediately when Keira Bassett marked a quick kick almost directly in front at the top of the goal square.

Basset’s goal levelled the scores and from there, an arm wrestle ensued.

Almost a half of football would be played before Alana Hanson gave the Blues a decisive break with little more than two minutes remaining in the third term. Hanson had crept down inside 50 with her rucking duties and took an intercept mark about 40 metres from goal. The co-coach played on and rammed home the goal to give her team a 9 point lead.

It was the goal that opened the flood gates and the Blues piled on three more in the final term while managing to keep the Breakers scoreless for the last three quarters.

MATCH DETAILS

NORTHERN BEACHES 1.1 1.4  2.5 5.5 (35)

COFFS BREAKERS  1.2  1.2  1.2  1.2 (8)

Goals – N.Bch: Keira Bassett 2, Gabby Boyle, Emma Pitomaki, Alana Hanson. Breakers: Jasmine Mulgrew.

Best on Ground Medal: Gina Cardillo – Northern Beaches

MATCH REPLAY

Click here to watch a full replay of the match on YouTube via Kyle Hands Media