GRAND finals are always about who is willing to turn up the intensity in the big moments.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For the St Pat's Group 10 league tag side on Sunday it was Bronte Emanuel and Erin Naden who fulfilled that role.
Emanuel scored both of the tries for the Saints in the 10-4 win over Orange Hawks while best on ground and Group 10 player of the season Erin Naden shut down almost every line break the two blues found.
With the victory Pat's completed their second straight undefeated premiership season, claimed their third title in a row and their fourth crown in five years.
Pat's number six Emanuel played down her role in the win, praising Naden for the vital backup work she provided behind the defensive line.
"The girls were keen. It's a hot day today and I think there were a few nerves at the start but we have Erin at the back who was strong in defence," she said.
"When we'd lapse in the middle we knew we were safe with her behind us. That's what she's done for us all year.
"The girls always know what needs to be done and that comes from our great coach, Mick [Armstrong]."
Emanuel scored her first try in the left corner early in the opening half when she was on the receiving end of an overlap down the wing.
Her second try was an individual effort midway through the next term, weaving through a stack of Hawks defenders to push the advantage out to 10-0.
"I was lucky to be on the wing for that first try. That's not where I play. I just happened to be there backing up the girls," Emanuel said.
"With that second try it doesn't happen without the girls on either side of me. If they're not pushing up then they don't force the defence to guess.
- READ MORE: St Pat's claim third straight Group 10 league tag crown with 10-4 grand final win over Orange Hawks
- READ ALSO: Mammoth defensive effort from St Pat's takes them to Group 10 under 18s grand final victory over Bathurst Panthers
- READ ALSO: Bathurst Panthers defend Group 10 premier league title following extra-time thriller against Mudgee Dragons
Keep up to date with the latest sports news by clicking here.
"When that hole opened up I was able to go straight through."
Naden's presence has always been felt throughout this Pat's team in 2019 and that was more the case than ever before during the decider.
Hawks troubled the Saints defensive line throughout the entire game - led by big efforts from both Bec Ford and Em McDonald - and their players often found themselves in one-on-one situations against Naden.
None of the Hawks line breaks out of their own half resulted in a try, thanks to Naden's chase down efforts.
It wasn't until the final two minutes that the Hawks found their breakthrough, courtesy of Ford in the right corner.
"It feels so good to get the win because this was a really tough game," Naden said.
"Winning against Hawks is always amazing and going through the season undefeated is really special.
"Going into half-time with the score not too high we were feeling a little nervous but we dug deep, did the job we needed to do and got there in the end."
With victory in Sunday's grand final St Pat's took their already incredible Group 10 winning streak out to 38 games, a run which stretches back to a victory in the 2017 qualifying final.