THE Bulldogs have secured their first AFL Women’s grand final win.
The women’s Broken Hill AFL grand final lived up to all its pre-match hype with North and South producing a classic contest, one where the Bulldogs prevailed by 20 points to win their first premiership.
Leading by two points at three quarter time and kicking into a strong breeze, North kicked three final term goals to deliver the first women’s title to the kennel.
The adage of good kicking is good football was the case as both teams had nine shots at goal, but it was North with eight goals one against South four goals five that proved the difference.
The conditions were a factor with the side kicking to the city end favoured by a 2-3 goal breeze.
North started strongly banging on the first three goals of the game, but South responded strongly in the second quarter with three goals of their own to take a 4-point lead into half-time.
The Roos received great service from Tayla Frizell, Amber Evans and Paris Ralph.
One of the more notable match-ups was South superstar Abbey Stevens being shadowed by Mel Callis.
The Bulldog’s captain Britt Tangey was giving the South bench some anxious moments as she had two goals on the board and was proving dangerous inside the forward 50 metre arc.
With a slim lead at the final change and with that wind in their face, North assistant coach Jason Simmons delivered a passionate address to his players.
They responded accordingly, Bec Deer lifted her work rate and teammates with her attack on the ball, Brooklyn Gibson was dangerous, Daisy Cheesman was everywhere and Tangey delivered the final blow booting another two goals to help seal a famous victory.
The final siren sending the North team and supporters into celebration mode.
“Bloody beautiful, it’s fantastic, I could not be happier with that performance,” Deer said.
The move mid-season of Tangey to the forward line after 150 games in defence paid off.
“We spoke earlier in the year that we needed to have a target in the forward 50 that we could go to, Britt was that person, she certainly delivered today,” Deer said.
The performance of Tangey with a bag of four goals was enough for her to claim the Chelsea Masclet Medal as best player.
The win and the medal was an emotional moment for the captain.
“It’s just so surreal and I’m so proud of all the girls we worked so hard this year,” she said.
Tangey paid tribute to her fellow forward line players.
“We get ripped by the coaches if we don’t play in front, and today, we just worked so well together and capitalised on our chances,” she said.
Final Score – North 8-1 (49) defeated South 4-5 (29)
Best players (N) Britt Tangey, Bec Deer, Daisy Cheesman, Brooklyn Gibson, Melissa Callis, Kira-lee Guthrie
(S) Tayla Frizell, Macy Edgecumbe, abbey stevens, Amber Evans, Paris Ralph, Isabella Adams
Goalkickers (N) Britt Tangey 4, Brooklyn Gibson 2, Melissa Callis 1, Kira-lee Guthrie 1
(S) Paris Ralph 1, Abbey Stevens 1, Teagan Coombes 1, Lila Parker 1
