Gallagher reflects fondly on grand final farewell
FORMER Townsville Fire forward Cherie Gallagher expects to be flooded by emotions when the Fire do battle with Melbourne tonight.
Gallagher will be sitting on the former players table at Townsville Stadium, right behind Melbourne’s bench, and it will be the closest Gallagher has come to a grand final since winning the 2015/ 16 title.
Gallagher was one of the Fire’s go to players during that season’s grand final series, even though she had a relatively quiet impact during most of the regular season.
A mother of two who know works at Queensland Country Health, Gallagher will be more than happy to be a spectator.
But she is eager to see her old team lift the WNBL trophy once more.
“I obviously do miss it, so I guess it will be strange to be on the sidelines this time,” Gallagher said.
“But I certainly don’t miss the nerves, and I’m glad I got to go out the way I did. I know these girls will definitely enjoy it, and it’s good to see the old faces in the team getting this opportunity again.
“I remember my first grand final and I couldn’t believe the hype and the excitement.
“I’m sure the younger girls in the team will enjoy the moment as well.”
Gallagher played seven seasons with the Fire and played in all four of their grand finals from 2012, culminating in her fairytale championship win in a 2- 0 series clean sweep over Perth.
In her final years she played under a Fire coaching staff that featured current head Claudia Brassard, who was during Gallagher’s time an assistant coach.
“I’ve known Claudia for quite a long time, I even played against her,” Gallagher said.
“She’s always been very competitive and I think it was inevitable for her to become a head coach and take her team to a grand final.
“It’s been amazing to see her grow and she’ll be right at home in this grand final.
“That’s the same for all the current players. They’ve had a tremendous season and they deserve to be here.”