Grand Final Review – Women’s Division One
Written by Michael Shillito
It was fine but blowing a gale on Saturday when Parramatta Goannas took on Camden Cats at Rosedale Oval to decide the Womens Division One title.
The road to the premiership decider for the Goannas had seen them sweep through the regular season undefeated with a massive percentage, but they had been given a scare by North Shore in the Semi Final. The Cats had only lost one game, to the Goannas, and got up by just four points against Randwick City in their Semi Final to make it to the big dance.
The Goannas were the hottest of favourites, and they wasted little time in making a statement as they kept the ball on their forward line for much of the first quarter. Repeated moves into the forward 50 resulted in three behinds, before the decisive blow was struck after 14 minutes; as Cherie Tamanalevu used her strength to mark 30 out and made no mistake with the kick.
The Goannas had enjoyed the better of the first term but only had one goal to show for it. The Cats were in the contest, but had to find a way forward. But incursions into the forward 50 were rare as the Goannas defence held firm time and again. And after 9 minutes, the Goannas extended their lead as Tamanalevu found Maddy Finch. A mark in the square resulted in the easiest of goals. And when Bianca Santi crumbed a marking contest a few minutes later to sneak another goal, the margin was out to 22 points and the Goannas already looked to have a hand on the premiership cup.
If the Cats were to have any chance of the premiership, they had to make a move in the third term. But try as they might, there was no way through the resolute Parramatta backline. The Goannas rushed a behind, which got the Cats on the scoreboard; but the run of goals that the Cats needed was not to be forthcoming. Time continued to tick by; and although the Goannas were unable to score a goal in the third term, it mattered little as the lead already seemed insurmountable.
The margin was 23 points at the last change. And any hope of a miracle for the Cats was quickly extinguished in the early exchanges of the final quarter. Annaleise Barton fumbled in the forward line, but a quick second effort saw her re-gather the ball and snap truly. Victory was assured, and all the Goannas had to do was play out time to complete the perfect season. Undefeated, not conceding a goal in the Grand Final and rarely threatened throughout the season. A year of footy doesn’t come much more dominant than that.
Cherie Tamanalevu’s strong presence was rewarded with the best-on-ground award, while Tayla Duguid and Annaleise Barton also featured prominently for the Goannas. But it had been a solid team effort, with the team all playing their roles magnificently. Lucia Mundell, Ana Cornett and Lauren Bragg had worked hard all day for the Cats, but they couldn’t find the firepower to match it with the Goannas on the day.
Match Result:
Parramatta Goannas 1.3 3.4 3.6 4.10 (34)
Camden Cats 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 (1)
Goals:
Parramatta – M. Finch, P. Tamanalevu , B. Santi, A. Barton.
Best:
Parramatta – P. Tamanalevu , T. Duguid, A. Barton, A. Gray, J. Brown, A. Amegashie.
Camden – L. Mundell, A. Cornett, L. Bragg, E. Williams, K. Rohrer , J. Rooke.
At Rosedale Oval, Saturday 26th September 2020.
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