WHAT a feeling, what a game. The Singleton Roosterettes have won their first ever premiership after defeating the Lake Macquarie Dockers in dramatic fashion at Saturday's Black Diamond Plate Women's grand final.
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It's difficult to describe the feeling of joy, and to an extent relief, that was present on the field at Bateau Bay Sports Facility during the minutes after the final siren blew.
It was the first piece of silverware for the side, which was born just five seasons ago and had not made finals until this season when the women's competition was split into two divisions.
Their lack of experience didn't hold them back though, with the team refusing to fold under pressure in what was an extraordinary match.
There were heroes sprinkled across the park, with ruck Taylah Cronin and captain Tori Cowburn shielding a backline which was under immense pressure late in the match, while co-captain Kyah McBride, Brianna Howard and Kalani Bates were great up front with two goals a piece.
The latter of those, who has had an outstanding season kicking 28 goals, was also awarded best on ground.
It's a truly exceptional achievement for someone at just 16 years of age, and she spoke about the honour and the win after the game.
"It was actually a shock, it's amazing and I'm proud of myself and proud of the team," she said.
"It's such an honour to win a premiership with these girls, especially since it's my first season in [senior] women's and I'm heading back down to South Australia.
"It was just such an amazing season and they're the best group of girls I've ever met."
While Bates was moved back late in the game to help repel Lake Macquarie's attacks, she has played her best football up front this season and scored the opening two goals of the game. This saw the Singleton side take a (1.3) 9 to (2.1) 13 lead at the end of the first quarter.
They then kept their opponents scoreless in the second term, with McBride and Howard getting a goal each as a result of elite forward half pressure and repeat inside-50 entries. They led (1.3) 9 to (4.5) 29 at half-time.
Being the minor premiers, the Dockers were always going to come back though, kicking three unanswered goals in the third term to lead (4.6) 30 to (4.5) 29.
It could be argued all of the Roosterettes' bad luck came in that quarter though, with bad bounces, missed marks and some questionable umpiring decisions seemingly all coming at once.
But when the final term begun, they reset, and an early goal to McBride settled the nerves a touch. With a five point margin the Dockers attacked heavily looking to regain the advantage, but the aerial threat of Howard always troubled them when Singleton countered.
Eventually that threat came to fruition, as Howard again found herself under the high ball, and despite not holding onto the mark was able to react quickly and receive a free kick for a push in the back 15 metres out on a slight angle.
She kicked truly, and the celebration was fitting for what seemed at the time like the match-sealing goal.
There was still plenty of work to be done though, and the final few minutes seemed to stretch on forever as the Roosterettes defended deep inside their 50. Every player was willing to put their body on the line to even up a contest or make a smother, and that desperation got them through to the final siren, winning (4.6) 30 to (6.7) 43.
Player-coach Nadene McBride took time to speak to The Argus after the initial celebrations, and could hardly believe what had just happened, saying she would've found it hard to believe they'd win the trophy if you'd told her so at the beginning of the season.
"[I would have said] nah, I think you're pulling my leg, I wouldn't have though it would have happened, not this season," she said.
Captain Tori Cowburn shared similar feeling, announcing in her captain's speech that she couldn't have foreseen this five years ago when they were struggling through their first campaign.
But, the side's development has been extraordinary, and she said it has been fun to be part of.
"It's been a long slog, we've had a couple of tough years but we've just put the effort in and all of our support staff have put the effort in," she stated.
"The girls have just kept coming back each and every week, and there's been a lot of blood, sweat and tears but we got there."
