BEFORE the opening bounce of this year's AFL Central West women's premiership, Bathurst Giants coach Liz Kennedy tipped young talent Zoe Peters as a player to watch.
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Peters wasted little time in showing why the coach had such an opinion as she starred in the Giants' nail-biting 4-10-34 to 4-5-29 win over the Bathurst Lady Bushrangers at George Park 1 on Saturday.
In a match where the 2019 grand finalists were rarely separated by more than a goal, Peters' ability to help feed the ball out of the middle was crucial for the Giants.
It helped the defending premiers to their 15th consecutive match without a defeat, coming from behind in the final term to deny a valiant Lady Bushrangers outfit.
"She was our players' player, she was a standout. Like she's 17-and-a-half, so she is going to be a very good player moving forward," Kennedy said of Peters.
"We just told her to play where she was comfortable, we gave her a free rein and she was great. She got the ball out of the middle and she could just find the space, so the girls had a lot of confidence in her in the game and used her really well."
Last season witnessed some brilliant tussles between the Giants and the Lady Bushrangers - including the grand final - and if Saturday's game is any indication, the Bathurst rivals are once again strong premiership contenders.
While both have made wholesale changes to their squads, there was intense tackling pressure, some slick handballs and thumping kicks. Proven performers again led by example, young talents handled the pressure of senior debuts and those who made their AFL Central West debuts brought plenty of determination to the contest.
The Giants booted the only major of the opening term to lead by eight at the first change, but thanks to a slick Alora Dickson goal - running through the centre of the 50 before converting - the Lady Bushrangers held a slender 1-5-11 to 1-4-10 advantage at the long break.
The contest continued to be tight in the third term with two majors apiece, seeing it remain a one-point game heading into the final quarter.
Both teams battled hard to take the upper hand and it the end it was the Giants who finished on top.
"It was cracker of a game, it was such a good opening game. When the full-time siren went was when we actually realised we got it, we were actually behind going into the fourth quarter, " Kennedy said.
"We kicked six behinds in that final quarter then Bridget Warne kicked the sealer for us, but it was tight the whole way through, it was a really good tough battle.
"Usually once Bushrangers are in front they are hard to peg down, but the girls in that last quarter, they really rallied. You could see them stand up, they just wanted to win, they just didn't want to lose the game and just worked so hard."
While disappointed his Lady Bushrangers - who were well served by the experienced Beth Durham and Amelia Wright - were unable to hold on, coach Brian Matheson was excited by what he saw unfold.
"A great start to the season with only missing out on the win over the reigning premiers by less than a goal," coach Brian Matheson said.
"Really excited to see how we're going to improve in the coming weeks."
Aside from Peters impressing for the Giants, skipper Katie Kennedy, defenders Brooke Alexander and Chelsea Gibbs plus Amber Stockman in the half forward line were solid.
"Amber Stockman, she had the best game she has ever played. She has improved tenfold from last year, she just really understands the game more. Her skills have improved so much this year, it's just incredible," Kennedy said.
