Bathurst Giants kick clear of Bathurst Bushrangers in Central West AFL women's major semi-final

When Bathurst Giants women's players Matilda Flood and Mikaela Kingham, fresh off their HSC French examinations, turned up at half-time for Saturday's major semi-final against Bathurst Bushrangers they turned the match around.

Channelling the fighting spirit of the French revolutionaries, the pair inspired their side to turn a one-point half-time deficit into a 6-8-44 to 3-5-23 victory.

In the process the Giants made it to their second straight Central West AFL grand final while the Bushrangers will face minor semi-final winners Orange Tigers in a second chance clash.

Giants coach Liz Kennedy said the assistance from the two previous absent Giants made a world of difference.

"Bushrangers really wanted it and they've been on the improve this year. We weathered the storm in the first quarter and then we began to build momentum," she said.

"We had two of our girls doing their French HSC exams at 12.30pm on Saturday - a 10 minute oral exam. They'd organised so they could go first and second for that, so a big thanks goes to those who helped them with that.

"Matilda Flood was first up and was a very handy in ... and Mikaela has been our most consistent improver all year so when those two turned up the girls lifted, knowing that our full team was back together.

"It makes our team feel complete when everyone is available and there."

Little could split the clubs over the opening two quarters, with each team kicking two goals.

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Giants hit their stride after the main break to outscore the Bushrangers four goals to one for the remainder of the match.

Following the Giants youth girls' grand final win it gives the club a rare opportunity to complete undefeated seasons across both women's competitions.

"It was so good to see them win. It's great watching the talent coming through that team," Kennedy said.

"They missed out last year, we missed out last year, they won this year so who knows?"

Bushrangers coach Brian Matheson said there's encouraging moments to take into the upcoming game with Tigers.

"The girls came out hard to start. We probably missed a couple of easy opportunities in front, which hopefully we can turn around," he said.

"Those things can be telling. They take the ball up the other end and that's a 12 point swing.

"I'm so proud though of the way the girls played. They've only lost by three goals. I think the extra game will really help us."