A solitary point with a minute to go was enough for the Tuggeranong Hawks to claim the 2009 ACT Women's AFL premiership against Ainslie at Manuka Oval on Sunday 30th August.
Tuggeranong won 2.3.15 defeated Ainslie 2.2.14
Scores were tied at 14-all from early in the third quarter up until the 19th minute of the final term in a tense final. The game had the loud 1700 strong crowd enthralled as the game almost reached extra-time territory.
After Ainslie had dominated most of the final term, Hawk Kathryn Ghirardello kicked into an almost empty Tuggeranong forward line from just outside 50. With just one Tuggeranong forward and one Ainslie defender between the ball and the goal, it almost rolled through for six points but ended up bouncing through for a behind. But it turned out it was all Tuggeranong needed to claim its third ACTWAFL Premiership.
Tuggeranong Captain Angela Ballerini received the best-on-ground medal for her performance in her final ACTWAFL game. "It was numbing, it was just, get a point, get a goal, get anything," Ballerini said. "And the crowd was amazing, I've never played in front of a crowd like that, you could just hear them after every mark, every kick." She was glad to leave the club on such a high "It's just great to know we are leaving the club in great hands and coming off with a win," Ballerini said. "It's exciting for the club and Tuggeranong is a great club."
In the men's Division 4 final, the Gungahlin Jets launched a last quarter comeback but it just wasn't enough to overhaul the Goulburn Swans who won by 13 points.
Goulburn Swans 12.5.77 defeated Gungahlin Jets 9.10.64
In the Division 3 final, ANU caused a huge upset to beat Harman by a huge 54 points. Before the Grand Final Harman had only lost one game all year.
ANU 13.10.88 defeated Harman 4.10.34
Story and photo courtesy of The Canberra Times
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