FLAG-PIES IN LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
NORTH Geelong is now a premiership and champion team after completing the perfect season in AFL Goldfields Division 1 women’s football yesterday.
The Magpies proved far too classy for Redan in a comfortable grand final win, 9.13 (67) to 1.3 (9), which capped off an undefeated season under coach Shannon KnoxGray.
Charlotte Thorne claimed the best-onground award following a dominant four-quarter effort — despite being the smallest player on the ground. The pocket rocket was in and under and everywhere in between, playing a pivotal role in setting up the Magpie attacks.
But put simply, North Geelong had too many winners across the ground.
Georgia Irvine played the commanding officer in defence, Cheryl de Groot and Georgia Watson provided marking options across half forward and Ebony Tannouri was untouchable at times.
It took Redan until early in the last term to nail its first goal, by which stage it was little too late.
The Magpies outclassed the Lions with speed and sharp foot skills in the first half, and the scoreboard read ominously for most of the afternoon.
Neither side managed a goal in the third term as both sides battled the fatigue of a contested game, but after Redan found its first major, the Magpies found another wind.
They finished the game full of running to stamp their authority as not only premiers, but champions.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” Knox-Gray said.
“This is what it means; all the girls have smiles on their faces and hard work pays off.
“I think to see the faces on the girls is what I get rewarded for.
“They do all the hard work out here, doing laps every Wednesday and Friday, making them do sprints. I coach them pretty hard I think, but they got the reward so it’s great.” Knox-Gray also lauded Thorne for her best-afield effort. “She had a job to do today; I thought she did quite well,” she said. “She was a little terrier today; she’s a good defensive player but she’s good in attack too. She’s an everywhere player.”