ENDEAVOURING to follow in the footsteps of Megan Ryan and Shelby Raven as SANFL Women’s premiership players, teenager Ruby Lynch and her Woodville West Torrens teammates fell at the final hurdle.
Minor premiers and second semi-final winners, the Eagles weren’t able to match the South Adelaide’s side big game experience.
Last Sunday in the 2025 SANFL Women’s grand final, South Adelaide dominated from the first bounce, kicked the only four goals of the first half and were in a commanding lead, 4.2 (26) to four points at half time in dry, but windy conditions.
After a more even second half, the Panthers celebrated triumphantly, getting home 6.5 (41) to 2.6 (18) by a 23-point margin.
Lynch in her debut season of SANFL league football was among the better performers for the Eagles on grand final day.
Playing as a forward and as second ruck, under the cut and thrust of grand final pressure Lynch finished with nine disposals (five kicks and four handballs), along with two marks, both contested and a handful of hit outs.
Lynch after a strong mark in the final term, converted that for the Eagles’ second goal as well.
“South were certainly the better team on the day,” Eagles coach Narelle Smith mused.
“Their pressure was elite and by six and half minute mark of the first quarter they had already kicked 2.2, which had us on the back foot.
“She came back into our side for the last part of the season and finished off playing nine games in her debut season including both the finals.
“Ruby was competitive on the big stage and had strong moments during the game.
“Her draft year is next season and being 180cm plus and having that left foot, there is plenty of upside to her game.
“We just didn’t get any momentum, and they had scoreboard pressure from the start.
“I was still pretty proud of how the group battled the game out.
“The players had a Mad Monday at X Golf.
“We need to keep the foot on the pedal and come back stronger next year.”
Next weekend Lynch is expected to don South Australian state colours, for the South Australia under 18s against Queensland at Prospect Oval, starting at 12 noon.
For the record, South Adelaide started in the SANFLW competition in the second season, 2018, and have played in six grand finals, enjoying title wins in 2018, 2019, 2024 and now 2025.
Woodville West Torrens initially entered in the 2019 campaign, and this is the first year they have participated in the major round.
Irish woman Meg Ryan, who started her football in Broken Hill, was the first SANFLW premiership player from the Silver City with North Adelaide, when they defeated Sturt in 2022.
The following season, Central Broken Hill’s Shelby Raven played in the Bulldogs’ thrilling last gasp grand final victory over the South Panthers at Prospect Oval.
Ruby’s grandfather is the legendary raconteur and footballer from West Broken Hill, John and his wife, the equally talented Anita.
Both his sons played with the Cock Robins as well, Ruby’s father Daniel and her uncle Jake, who is currently coaching the North Adelaide SANFL under 16s side.
