Tigers entering seventh heaven
BOMBERS SHOCK COUGARS TO CLAIM PREMIERSHIP
WE simply haven’t seen dominance like this before.
The Toowoomba Tigers made it seven straight AFL Darling Downs senior women’s flags with another flawless display to defeat the Goondiwindi Hawks in the grand final at Rockville Oval.
The Tigers have claimed every premiership since their inception in 2015, and they’re already set on making it eight.
AUSSIE RULES: South Toowoomba has pulled off one of the most unlikely Allieds Cup victories we’ve seen this century.
Just last month the Bombers were languishing in sixth spot, with the possibility of missing finals a distinct chance.
Now they enjoy the spoils of claiming back-to-back flags after a 10.6 (66) to 7.5 (45) defeat of University at Rockville Oval.
In a ding-dong battle pitting the youth of the Cougars against the experience of the Bombers, both sides were split by just one point heading into the final term.
University captain Ash Harley kicked the first of the quarter to put his side up by seven, before South Toowoomba launched its charge.
It started with Jeff Neumann kicking his fourth major of the afternoon, before Gabe Robbie put the Bombers back in front soon after.
They kept the momentum rolling with Nathaniel Price booting home another goal from almost 50m out to lead by 11.
When Craig Newman strolled into an open goal the result was complete, taking the Bombers to the summit once more.
Johnathan Leidig received the Ellen McConochie Medal for best on ground, capping off a sublime finals series.
“With one point coming into the last break, that’s exactly what we want and what footy fans want,” Leidig said.
“It was a great game to watch and to be a part of.
“We had a chat a few weeks ago about turning our season around. We knew what we could do and we came out and showed it today.”
Player-coach Nathan Stewart praised the way his side was able to turn their season around.
“To lose 10 premiership players from last year, and we were sitting sixth,” Stewart said.
“We started talking about the trust in each other. We have a massive will to win and now we have a massive trust in each other that will be forever.”
TIGERS ENTER SEVENTH HEAVEN
Utter domination.
That’s the only phrase befitting the Toowoomba Tigers after they claimed their seventh straight senior women’s flag, downing Goondiwindi 5.4 (34) to 0.3 (3).
While their forward line did their job, it was the defence of the Tigers that proved the difference, stifling any attack the Hawks were able to throw their way.
A horror start from Goondiwindi saw them concede an early 50m penalty, gifting Tracey Twidale the opening score of the game.
The lead was doubled moments later when Meg Pullinger found herself in open space, kicking around her body to get on the board.
Points came at a premium from that point on, with the Tigers leading by 14 at the main change.
Chloe Hunt extended the lead just moments into the third term, with further goals to Pullinger and Lauren Fraser in the fourth sealing the win.
“How does one compare to others? Saturday’s was pretty good,” coach Neville Jericho said.
“The scoreline mightn’t show it but it was a really tough game. Gundy just couldn’t score from inside 30.
We have a massive will to win and now we have trust in each be other that will forever.
Nathan Stewart
“They were able to get the ball inside 50, but our defenders were really strong.
“I can remember Lauren asking as a little 16 or 17 year old back in 2015 if I would coach the women’s team. It seems like a long time ago but it’s been a good journey.”
Tiarna Jericho claimed Jeff Neumann Medal honours for best on ground, giving Neville a proud moment as both a coach and parent.
“Tiarna had a cracker of a game and Lauren had an excellent game in her 100th,” he said.
“All of our young ones like Kaitlyn Zelinski, Christine Watson and Lauren Fraser had fantastic games.
“Lily Paterson stood up. She’s one of our past captains and that was the best game I’ve ever seen her play.”
Both the Bombers and Tigers finished the day with two flags after their junior sides came to the fore.
South Toowoomba prevailed 10.16 (76) to 0.4 (4) over Coolaroo in the U12s grand final, while Toowoomba edged out the Bombers 7.9 (51) to 5.7 (37) in the U14s decider.