AFLW Final v SEDA

As my alarm sounded at 5:30am on Tuesday morning, my first ‘butterfly’ was released as I thought about the enormity of the challenge ahead. The St Norbert College’s Senior AFLW team who had played a courageous and tough brand of footy were to play SEDA College at their home ground in Cockburn at 4pm.

The very fact that our amazing Team of young women had made the Grand Final was enough to be very proud of; this would be the first time a SNC AFLW team had made it to the end. But, the opposition would be formidable! The girls at SEDA can complete their ‘Years 11 and 12 in the Fremantle Dockers Program. The program provides a direct link to industry opportunities in a hands-on learning environment all connected to your interest in AFL’ (Not a paid advertisement) so they knew how to play footy; more concerningly, Chloe Reilly knew half the team!!!

We had done everything we could, so whatever the outcome, we would know the team gave themselves every chance. With the extra time in Term Three the team managed to have two morning training sessions that were well-attended and reminded me about why this team had gone so far; we had fun!!! The whiteboard sessions at the end of training and at lunch on Tuesday allowed us to hear from ‘Reilly 1 & Reilly 2’ about what we would need to do to nullify some of the strengths of the SEDA team, as they knew there would be plenty.

When the College bus began the journey south there was a buzz and some energetic singing that showed that regardless of who we were playing the girls were there to support each other, have a laugh and enjoy the moment. Thankfully the requests from the passengers at the front ie Ms Kyd and Ms Rainford’s requests of ‘Dancing Queen’ were rejected as a voice from the back yelled ‘we’re not that old!!!’ and the fun continued… The louder buzz I could hear was the rest of my ‘butterfly’s’ taking flight…

On arrival at the ground, the sky was clear, the sun was shining and the oval was vast, which, on first thought, meant that good skills and hard running run would be required. Our team was ‘up and about’ jogging around having a kick, music playing and an enthusiastic approach to kicking a footy on a well-manicured oval which was a joy to run on; no offence Queens Park Oval… The time was drawing near, the active warm up began which meant bounce down was only minutes away. Some final words from Coach and Captain said, the take-away was to enjoy the moment, playing in a GF that you deserved to be in.

With the 5-5-5 formation set, the ball raised in the air and the siren sounded. Game on. Zeta Stevens did with Zeta always does, jumping head-first into the first ruck contest and giving great effort against a taller and bigger opposition. Under some duress Zeta would fight hard all game, chasing, tackling and contesting; the type of player every Coach wants in their team. But things were a little bit different this game, once Chloe Reilly eventually managed to get hold of the ‘pill’ she had three SEDA girls hanging off her, and where previously the ball would be flying into our forward 50 it was brought to ground. Ball up. Do it again… Ominous signs already.

Our backs then faced a barrage as, as expected, these SEDA girls knew how to play. Take a mark, handball over it to a free, shepherd, lead hard out of the goal square and hit the contest, bring the ball to ground split-step one grab pick up, player running past, go to put the ball between the ‘big sticks’, BANG, hang on, Cass Marciano comes through and ruins their perfect plan!!! Cass would continue to fight by tackling, bumping and reminding the oppo that we were a tough team that hadn’t made the GF by chance. Jacinta Barraza continued to show her unique style playing with rigour whilst finding something to laugh at but always having a ‘crack’. Our ‘spiritual leader’ Lachauntae Eades never likes to lose and she decided she was having none of this ‘peppering of our goals thing’ by upping her tackling and run and trying her best to support the team which she loves to play footy with. Ella Reilly our ‘Backline General’ was calling the shots, running around making tackles, getting tackled and doing her best to stop the scoring by hitting some of our midfield targets who presented as best they could around the ground. The problem was that SEDA were setting up so well ‘in the guts’ that it was a struggle to get the ball into our forward 50.

Watching our Year 8 legends running around, playing with such determination and courage filled me with pride (as well as their parents, I’m sure!!!). Myla Norling and Sophie Eaton did not take a backward step against bigger and stronger girls, as they continued to run when they were tired, getting up when they were tackled whilst doing a great job for the team. Summer Pollard will never give in and so her effort continued from contest to contest with her tackles that ‘stick’ and her unique ability to get an opposition player to think twice about getting the ball when she’s around but there’s only so many times you can do this before exhaustion sets in. They scored 3.5 in the first half; we weren’t able to trouble the scorers…

The second half began after some reflection and a new plan to give us some better opportunities knowing some extra run would be required to get us back into the contest. Ella Hackett had done her best in the first half with another gritty and determined effort where she offers leadership by example and continues to fight till the end. Paige Craven Bower was able to start the second half on reduced minutes as she comes back from injury and was out there to do her best for the team. Paige was able to provide the options for us at half-forward that we were looking for especially when getting the ball out of our D50. Our half forward flankers Kyla Shepherd and Akeelah Mayhew who work well together were now able to hunt the outside ball and gave us some options and some avenues to goal. Sports Captain and all-round athlete Courtney Fitzgerald had done her best to get involved and put pressure on without taking a backward-step in the first half. Glenda Cornwall continued to provide us with a forward-focus with her natural ability to find the ball but sadly, this game there was to be limited opportunities but this didn’t stop her from trying.

Chloe Miller had an amazing second half which stopped the score line from being worse than it was… she managed to hold off a number of attacks and played the Goalkeeper role perfectly on the last line of defence. When the extra run was required, we were able to get some ‘fresh-legs’ on. Angel Moffat ran onto the ground with a ‘spring in her step’ as did Charlize Nicolaou, Marion Kipchumba and Gaelle Mootoo, they all had a ‘crack’ and did their best for the team! We were so fortunate to have these players get involved, they played a strong part in us making the Grand Final and it was great for them to share this experience in their final year at St Norbert College. Players for the future Ciera Power and Ava Clements also ran onto the ground were able to provide us with some options which the team needed as it continued to get scored against.

Although the result wasn’t what we wanted the team can ‘hold its head high’ as they have forged a reputation for the St Norbert College AFLW teams of the future to aspire too. With the game ended and another impressive display of sportswomanship by our team to the opposition the team came together share the stories from their shared experience. Impressively, the presentation recognised the moment with both teams presented with medallions from some Freo Dockers dignitaries. The best player from our team Chloe Reilly was presented with a football which went some way to acknowledge the amazing effort and the wonderful example she provides as a committed citizen that the St Norbert College community are very proud of.

As the Coach bumbled through some words he failed to express and properly acknowledge those who were at the heart of this team’s success. Firstly, to the players, all the girls who pulled on a jumper throughout the long season; thank you. It has been so much fun and a great experience to have enjoyed this journey with you, I really appreciate the time and effort you put in and having a laugh and watching you represent the College with distinction has been a highlight. To the teachers who have come down to support, barrack and cheer thank you, particularly to Ms Izard and Mr Godfrey who have been there from the start. To our wonderful parents and students who have been there ‘rain, hail or shine’ thanks for your dedication, especially to Scott and Tyson Shepherd and Bec, I really appreciate all your help. In 2022 there will be a ‘changing of the guard’ but not a change in the spirit of the Canons. All hands in, Canon’s on three; 1-2-3 Canons!!!

Mr B McGrath (Coach)

PRAYER