South West’s stunning comeback seals seventh straight Country Women’s Championships title

South West stormed home in a remarkable Division One Grand Final comeback against a gallant Great Northern to claim their seventh Nufarm Country Women’s Football Championships title in a row at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday. 

The country women’s powerhouse looked down and out at three-quarter time, trailing by 11 points at three-quarter time after kicking just 1.1 across the first three terms. But their “not today” motto rang true as they produced a comeback for the ages in the final term, booting four goals in a row on the way to a stunning eight-point triumph. 

Busselton speedster Holly Creedon was named player of the Division One decider on her birthday after an impressive performance on the wing, particularly late when the game was on the line. Forward Nakia Jilley booted two final-quarter goals in the space of a minute, including a stunner from the pocket to give South West a one-point lead. Maya Goudard then joined the party before Beth Bond kicked the sealer with South West’s fourth for the term. 

Great Northern got one back through exciting key-position player Jessica Giudice-Nairn in the dying minutes but the damage was already done, with the SWFL hanging on for an eight-point win. Pocket rocket Kloe Bassett starred for the victors, finding the footy with ease around the ground and putting together a consistent four quarters, with Beth Beckett also influential and Gemma Hill having some exciting moments in attack. 

The GNFL defence deserves a lot of praise for their efforts, with Emilee Bevan, Chloe Spence and Claire Garnaut all doing their bit. Midfield star Andie Payne stood tall after quarter-time especially, also drifting down back for some massive moments to help keep South West scoreless in the third term despite their territory dominance. Olivia Bidwell was another star of the show, splitting her time between half-forward and the midfield. 

Peel Cavaliers are back in the top flight after defeating North Pilbara in the Division Two Grand Final. The Cavs will replace Great Southern in Division One after they fell short by two points against Goldfields in a hotly-contested three-versus-four play-off earlier in the day. Peel had to win the first game of the day, the two-versus-three qualifier against Kimberley, and did it in style with a 5.6 (36) to 0 victory. They backed it up with a hard-fought win over the Pythons, who prevailed by two points when the two sides met during the group stages on Friday. 

It was another tight contest in the final with Peel getting over the line by seven points against wayward North Pilbara – 4.3 (27) to 2.8 (20). Peel midfielder Kate Beswick was named player of the final, with defenders Ainslee Elliott, Shauna Hart, Lucy Kane and Hannah Davis also having a big say in the result. Ruck Jayda Vidi enormous throughout the afternoon, while Brianna Hyde was outstanding in the opening half for North Pilbara at both ends of the ground and Division Two best-and-fairest winner Maya Bruce did plenty. 

Goldfields made sure they will be in Division One next year with a hard-fought two-point win over Great Southern in their final game of the tournament. Jessica Bolton once again stood up on her way to winning the Division One player of the carnival, capping off a typically consistent campaign.It was a much-improved performance from the GSFL but it wasn’t enough to avoid relegation. 

Award winners 

Division One
Rising Star – Sharntay Westberg – GNFL
Overall B&F – Jessica Bolton – GFL
Grand Final B&F – Holly Creedon – SWFL 

Division Two
Overall B&F – Macy Bruce – NPFL
Grand Final B&F – Kate Beswick – PFNL 

Umpires
Best Field – Jamie Harrison  – SWFL
Best Goal – Isaac Lawrence – SWFL
Best Boundary – Hannah Elliot – SWFL