Lively grand final performance earns Laura Cinanni best on ground medal honours in GSFLW title triumph

Railways midfielder Laura Cinanni was an important figure in her side’s breakthrough grand final victory on Friday night, winning best on ground honours against Denmark-Walpole. Cinanni was instrumental in laying strong tackles, setting up her teammates and sending the ball in attack while she also booted a terrific first quarter goal to set the tone for the Tigers premiership triumph. The Tigers finished 28-point winners at the final siren and the 23-year-old claimed the top gong, as judged by the field umpires. “It was definitely very unexpected but really exciting,” Cinanni said. “I thought Kanisha (Bennell) was really good, she was also the top goal kicker for the season and she’s super young so that’s exciting for her.” Cinanni said a half-time team talk revved the side up after a lacklustre second quarter where the Magpies got back to within a goal. “We were all a bit flat in the second quarter so our coaches and leadership group had a chat about not taking our foot off the pedal,” she said. “The message was to keep going until the final siren and I think we really needed that little lift.” Cinanni was happy to receive the award but isn’t necessarily looking elsewhere to continue her footy career. “It’s only my second year of footy but I think I’m pretty happy just playing at club level,” she said. “I think some of the other girls definitely have the potential to play up in Perth in the WAFL league, these younger girls coming through are really good.” Speaking after the grand final which was played in front of a big crowd, the hard-working Railways ball winner said she was excited by the major growth in women’s footy in regional areas. “Women’s footy will see some growth, the crowd that turned up on Friday was super lively and excited,” she said. “It’s really encouraging to see it getting some more traction because when I grew up none of my friends played football, so it’s really nice to see it getting supported and encouraged.” Railways co-coach Kim Arundel said it was impressive to see a new player like Cinanni stand up on the big stage. “Laura was very good, I thought she was our best player,” he said. “I think she is only in her second year of footy, so to step up and play that way in a grand final is credit to her.”