Park stun Redbacks to claim women’s title

Spencer Park have caused a major upset on their way to winning their first women’s A-grade premiership since 2012 after downing the red-hot North Albany in today’s grand final.

Redbacks lost just one game for the regular season and enjoyed a week off after their second semifinal win but they failed to make the most of a plethora of opportunities in their quest for back-to-back titles.

After a scoreless first half Park initially went behind but it was for less than 60 seconds as Rachael Goetze equalised almost immediately after Beck Gallimore’s penalty corner conversion.

With still 19 minutes to play Park made it 2-1 after Goetze pounced on a loose ball that spilled forward for her side, sprinting back to score a double.

The vocal Park crowd were on their feet soon after when they added a third goal, Jorja Williamson’s initial shot was saved before defender Annie Judd capped a brilliant game with a clever finish to hand them a famous 3-1 victory.

Redbacks won 11 penalty corners and could only convert one while they missed two golden chances, failing to convert a penalty stroke and score what appeared to be a certain goal with the Park keeper beaten but it hit a foot.

Georgina Lilford was awarded the best on ground medal for Park after a dazzling display.

More in Thursday’s Albany Advertiser.