Sarah Luke
BOISDALE-Briagolong has finished its undefeated season atop the AFL Gippsland Women’s League ladder with the inaugural premiership cup in hand, after defeating Bunyip 6.13 (49) to 3.0 (18).
The grand final was held on Sunday in chilly conditions, after an uncertain week for the Bombers.
Finishing the season second and third, Nyora and Bunyip were unable to agree to a time to play their final round home-and-away match the weekend before last, and therefore were unable to determine which team would play the Bombers in the grand final.
Pushing the grand final back a week was potentially on the cards, until an AFL Gippsland ruling determined Nyora and Bunyip would played on Friday night, so the grand final could be played at its original scheduling.
The Bombers, determined to put all uncertainty behind them, played at one speed only — full pelt from the first siren.
To the visitors’ credit, accuracy was not an issue while kicking for goal, however a lack of goals in general did not help Bunyip’s cause.
After taking a little time to get a feel for the ball, Boisdale-Briagolong’s Belinda Marshall booted the first goal to get the crowd on its feet, followed shortly by another major by teammate Johanna Tulloch.
Still in the first quarter, Bunyip’s Madeline Fraser got her foot to a six-pointer, to get the Bulldogs on the scoreboard.
Beginning the second quarter with the same fervour, Bomber Nicky Reeves added another goal to her outstanding season tally of 29 goals.
Bunyip, determined not to give up without a fight, channeled beautifully down the field to get a goal through Nicole Cicciari, just before the five-minute mark.
The Bombers’ Lashay Tricker answered with a goal just three minutes later, to bring the scores to 29-12 at half-time.
A powerhouse performance in the third quarter left Bunyip goalless, as the Bombers put plenty of pressure in the midfield and across half-back.
Boisdale-Briagolong piled on two goals and five behinds, to give the visitors a 34-point deficit — a chasm too deep for Bunyip to cross.
In the final quarter, Bunyip rallied to slot its third goal through Ebony Whitworth, and managed to limit the Bombers to three behinds to end the quarter 49-18.
Bombers coach Kenny Marshall was close to tears, as he named Latoya Sim, Briony Stoneham, Lashay Tricker, Kiana Minchin, skipper Brittney Gray and ruck Zan Cherry as his best on the field.
Sim was also awarded the AFL Gippsland Best On Ground medal, as player of the match.
Bunyip showed plenty of sportsmanship in its defeat, graciously cheering the victors as they held the premiership cup. Best players for the Bulldogs included Laura Robins, Tahlia Peterson, Jessica Fowler, Rachel Davie, Whitworth and Cicciari.
