Maiden GSFLW premiership for Railways after dominant second half sinks Denmark-Walpole in grand final

Railways claimed their first Great Southern Football League Women’s premiership after producing a dominant second half display against Denmark-Walpole on Friday night. The Tigers capped a terrific season with a 28-point grand final win, holding their opponents scoreless in the second half while kicking three goals of their own. The grand final was played in front of a terrific crowd and in ideal conditions at McLean Park, with the Tigers kicking two first-quarter majors to set up the win. The Magpies fought back strongly in the second term, trimming the margin to four points by half-time as the home crowd found their voice. However, the visitors kicked the only goal of the third term and then added two more in the fourth as they lifted the premiership cup aloft for the first time, downing the Magpies 5.10 (40) to 2.0 (12). Tenacious Tiger Laura Cinanni was named best on ground for her lively display in the midfield and terrific goal in the opening term and the winners had five individual goal kickers as they won the title in a season where they lost just one match. There were jubilant scenes from the Tigers after the final siren as they put to bed two grand final defeats in the short history of the GSFLW competition and they produced a loud rendition of their team song on the oval. Tigers co-coach Kim Arundel said it was fantastic to see the joy on his players’ faces after their premiership win. “It was a deserving win,” he said. “They enjoy it just as much as the boys, they’ve loved it and I think the girls really enjoy playing footy. “You can see the smiles it puts on their faces.” Stefanie Boyle kicked the first goal of the decider and then Cinanni launched a successful long-range set shot to put the Tigers 12 points ahead at quarter-time. The Magpies hit back in the second as the hard-working Emma Henderson kicked their first major from a 50m penalty and then Ashleigh Needs was dumped in a tackle and booted a goal from the resulting 50m penalty. Three behinds after half-time extended the Tigers’ buffer and then Ksharna Coyne converted a set shot to give her side a 15-point advantage just before three-quarter-time. Kanisha Bennell soccered a goal in the last to make it even tougher for the Magpies and then quality defender Kathryn Slattery sealed the title triumph with a booming goal on the run. “We couldn’t get our running game going early, they made it hard for us,” Arundel said. “They played a close, physical style of footy and didn’t let us have any time and space. “Once they started to tire we took over.” Midfielder Maddie Dallimore worked tirelessly across the four quarters for the Tigers and was well supported by Coyne, Bennell and Boyle. Slattery won plenty of the ball across half-back and Abby Duncan was also important in defence. Heavy rain fell just moments after the final siren and power at the venue went out less than 20 minutes later but it didn’t stop the Tigers’ celebrations. The Magpies were best served by Henderson, Needs, Jane Devenport and captain Megan Ross, while Erika Tharratt also won plenty of the ball. “Railways were well-drilled and this was their third grand final,” Magpies coach Glen Burton said. “I can’t put into words how proud I am of the girls. “At the start of the season we set ourselves a goal and said it would be fantastic to play in a grand final at our home ground and we achieved that. So anything above that was going to be a bonus. “You could see by the size of the crowd there how much interest it has generated far and wide.”