Both teams had a solid warm-up session before the coaches gave their final instructions. The team selection for both teams must have been agonising for both coaches as on both teams, there were some players who just missed out on Grand Final day despite playing throughout the season.
The official Grand Finalist teamlists were:
Balmain |
Player No. |
Sydney University |
Player No. |
Narelle Spangher |
2 |
Belinda Michalk (Captain) |
1 |
Belinda Pride |
3 |
Una McKay |
2 |
Sherelle Moore |
4 |
Ashlee Morgan |
3 |
Laura Holdsworth |
6 |
Mel Khoury |
4 |
Rachel Barger |
9 |
Mai Nguyen |
6 |
|
|
Renee Harrington |
7 |
Julia Bradley |
12 |
Jennifer Lew |
8 |
Peta Hemphill |
14 |
Meredith Gray |
9 |
Katharyna Kobzan |
15 |
Kate Lancaster |
10 |
Kate Fitzsimmons |
17 |
Gianna Abbonizio |
11 |
Alisa Kelly |
18 |
Felice Tong |
12 |
Lynda Rowan |
20 |
Alex Roberts |
14 |
Rowie Morgan |
23 |
Amelia Derver Kavanagh |
16 |
|
|
Marie Keating |
18 |
Alison Parkin |
28 |
Adriane Garland |
19 |
Janene Thorpe (leadership team) |
29 |
Lara Creber |
20 |
Elizabeth Brett (leadership team) |
32 |
Jess Hogan |
21 |
Heidi Wiedner |
35 |
Libby Sadler |
22 |
Clare Beech |
37 |
Kristy Williams |
24 |
Karla Spilarewicz |
38 |
Kyrsten Winkley |
26 |
Lisa McGinnigle |
43 |
Leah Chiswick |
27 |
Christine McDonald (leadership team) |
44 |
Sophie Clarke |
29 |
Shelley Bates |
45 |
Talei Owen |
32 |
Emma Davidson |
46 |
Kandace Lindeberg |
34 |
Olivia Hall |
47 |
|
|
Hayley Warren |
85 |
|
|
Balmain Coach |
|
Sydney University Coach
|
|
Tracey Kick |
|
Krissie Steen, Assistant: Sarina Jackson |
|
Balmain Runners |
|
Sydney University Runners |
|
Chris Matthews |
|
Claire O'Neill |
|
Kate Walsh |
|
Laurissa Creek |
|
Balmain Water Carriers |
|
Sydney University Water Carriers |
|
Aayush |
|
Katherine Creek |
|
Clare Brewer |
|
Melissa Bibby |
|
Annie Phillips |
|
|
|
Aynslee Rodger |
|
|
|
Balmain Team Manager |
|
Sydney University Team Manager |
|
Kylie Maxwell |
|
Stephen King |
|
Leadup:
Balmain had won every match in the regular home and away season, lost the Major Semi-Final, won the Preliminary Final.
Sydney University had only lost to Balmain in the regular home and away season, won the Major Semi-Final to reach the Grand Final.
Both teams ran through their respective banners with the Sydney Univeristy Banners rather large before both teams lined up to face each other and then the field umpires (John VDH, Jemma Still and Victoria Rawlings) shook hands with both players and coaches. Sydney University won the toss and decided to kick towards the tennis court end.
1st quarter:
The first quarter saw a 10 minute interlude where Sydney University had forward dominance locking the ball in their forward zone but were unable to score a point heldout by the furious back 6 and midfield of the Balmain Dockers. The first quarter saw Kath Kobzan as the Dockers Full-Forward engaging on a one-on-one duel with Meredith Gray at full-back. The Dockers had isolated Spesh from the rest of the forwards so it was like Silvagni vs Lockett with Spesh marginally in front taking some contested marks and kicking two goals in the first quarter. Lynda Rowan also kicked a goal from a mark just outside the goal square. Marie Keating asserted herself putting in some bumps but her long-range kicking was absent so far in the game.
2nd quarter:
A firey speech got the Bombers committed to better efforts in the 2nd quarter. Balmain instituted their forward press when the ball was in the forward line with 18 of their players being forward of the center circle. The game was grinding to a scrappy game with no game getting the ascendency. Belinda Pride got switched to full forward and marked a meter out on the tightest of angles, decided to play on by wheeling around to the left but ended up with a behind. Sydney University fans tried to get into the game with some chants but with each side scoring one point each for the half, it was still anyone's game.
3rd quarter:
They say the Premiership quarter is the 3rd quarter as this is where the team in front consolidates it's lead or the team from behind gets its act together. For the Bombers they had their chances but their forwards picked some wrong options here trying to win the game on their own (example; making u-turns, ignoring players who were open and facing goals and blazing away for behinds). Spesh kicked her third goal for the game with the Dockers extending their lead to 26 points.
4th quarter:
In the final 20 minutes of the 2011 season, Meredith Gray back at fullback collared Kath Kobzan with a high tackle. From the resulting free kick Spesh composed herself to slot a goal from 30m out on the left hand side to seal the game plus a late goal by Belinda Pride to ensure that the Dockers would win their first ever title. When the siren sounded, the women in purple celebrated with loud screams of delight. For some, they had waited a long time for this day. Thank you to the Western Wolves for doing the scoreboard and Newtown for dressing up in your characters.
Balmain 6.6.42 Goals: K. Kobzan 4, L. Rowan and B. Pride. Sydney University 0.3.3
Post-match report:
Hayley Warren, the ruck for Balmain was nominated by the umpires as Best on Ground to receive the match ball and the Deb Rogers Memorial Trophy. The Sydney University Bombers were clapped heartily and Captain Belinda Michalk made a gracious speech and pledged to go one step further next year. The Dockers leadership group announced their winning team which received their winners medal before they launched into their club song before captain Christine Macdonald accepted the trophy and lifted the Division 1 Trophy to the warm applause of those present. Christine made a special note to pay tribute to those Balmain Dockers and previous incarnation as the Balmain Tigers whether it had been one game or ten seasons to make it the club it was.
Next week is the Best and Fairest Award night in the City. I won't be there but i wish the best of luck to all players who receive a vote from the officials in orange.
Last Modified on 04/09/2011 19:33