THE Bathurst Lady Bushrangers have continued their stranglehold on the Central West AFL women’s premiership cup with a 7-8-50 to 2-2-14 win over Dubbo in Saturday’s grand final.
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As the Lady Bushrangers belted out their victory song at full-time at Orange’s Bloomfield Oval, it marked the third consecutive year they had celebrated on grand final day.
Since the women’s competition began three years ago, the Lady Bushrangers have only lost one game – to Orange in 2016 – though they have certainly not had it easy each Saturday.
In this year’s decider Dubbo worked hard in the first half to trail by just three points at the long break.
The battle in the ruck between Bathurst’s Sarah Shackleton and her opposite Lauren Hazell was tight, while both teams applied plenty of tackling pressure.
However, the second half the Lady Bushrangers pulled away as their run through the centre of the field saw them notch up plenty of inside 50s.
“It was very tight that first and second quarter, but when it came time, our midfield lifted in that second half. They got on top and dominated, they played really well,” Bathurst coach Pete Neve said.
“I think fitness played a part in it towards the end definitely, our girls are very fit. We were always confident that if we were in front at half-time, then we’d come home strong.
“That second half was awesome to watch.”
While Neve was new to the coaching role of the Lady Bushrangers this season, he acknowledged the effort of those who had been involved in all three premierships. The mentor also pointed to the 2017 rookies making for an exciting future if they return next season.
“I wasn’t there for the first two, this is my first season with them, but the girls are extremely happy about it. There are a lot of new girls here as well this year, a lot of new talent came into the team,” he said.
“It’s been a fantastic season and it’s certainly exciting times.”
The opening quarter of Saturday’s grand final was tight, with three behinds from the Lady Bushrangers the only impact on the scoreboard.
Dubbo’s back line worked hard to shut down their more fancied rivals, while down the other end of the field, the Lady Bushrangers were just as strong.
It took Dubbo almost the entire quarter to notch up their first inside 50s and when it did get within range, Amy Copping’s tackling pressure prevented any clear shots.
The Demons won the first centre clearance of the second term and very nearly found the lead via an across the body snap from Hayleigh Thornton which was touched on the line by Bathurst’s Elise Hull.
It was the 19th minute that the first major of the decider was finally found, Bathurst’s Keeghan Tucker crumbing well at the back of the pack.
That helped the Lady Bushrangers to a 1-4-10 to 1-1-7 lead at half-time, Caroline McGrath having kicked Dubbo’s goal, but when the action resumed the margin quickly increased.
Thirty-five seconds into the third term Jess Scadding booted the first of her three majors, while Haylee Lepaio added a pair of goals, one of them from an impressive banana kick.
While Emily Warner toiled in the centre of the field for Dubbo and Jane Winter took some nice defensive grabs, the Demons could not stop their rivals from pulling away.
Alora Dickson, who earned plenty of possessions for Bathurst and provided good run out of the centre, was rewarded for her efforts as she too kicked a goal.
Heading into the final quarter, the Lady Bushrangers led 5-6-36 to 1-1-7 and were on track for another premiership.
Scadding kicked a 48th minute goal and another with five minutes left, while Alicia Clark found a late consolation for the Demons.
Dubbo coach Niwa Gotty could not fault the effort of her players, while she also praised the talented squad of the victors.
“Our fitness seems to get us in the second half, and that showed today, but you’ve got to play with what you’ve got,” she said.
“Bathurst, they come with athleticism and professionalism and we look up to them and how they play. That’s how, in a few years, we’d like to play.
“I am very, very proud of the girls. A lot of us are mums and we play for fun, so they did well today.”
One win that Dubbo could boast over the Lady Bushrangers was in the battle for best on ground honours, with Demons midfielder Warner getting the nod.
“Oh man, it was so good to have Emily come this year from Coonamble. She travels two hours to training, so you can see that she likes to play and why she got that award, because she is very committed,” Gotty said.
BATHURST LADY BUSHRANGERS 7-8-50 (Jess Scadding 3, Haylee Lepaio 2, Alora Dickson, Keeghan Tucker) defeated DUBBO DEMONS 2-2-14 (Caroline McGrath, Alicia Clark)
