Abby Foley, Glenn Harbrow, Jensy Dickson, Emma Hickey, Annie Holden,
Taylah Wright, Maddy Smith, Anabelle Willis, Matika Simmons, Chrissy Judd, Milly Moon, Eloise Drew, Bobby Goolagong, Petria Foley, Tarah Bouffler, Grace Robertson, Clare Foley Abbey Field, Chelsea Crowder, Emily Edson, Hailey Neeves, Kate Foley, Lillie Edwards, Grace Brabin and Charlotte Makham.
Junee Diesels have created history, claiming their maiden Group 9 Women’s Tackle premiership with a commanding 20-6 victory over minor premiers Wagga Brothers at Geohex Stadium on Sunday.
After falling agonisingly short of a grand final appearance last season, the Diesels made sure there would be no repeat this time around, producing a composed and determined performance to secure the club’s first premiership in the competition.
And the start to the match could not have gone any better.
Junee immediately put Brothers under pressure, with a line break setting up an attacking opportunity before a pinpoint Annabelle Willis kick found Kate Foley, who crossed for the opening try in the first set of the game.
It was the perfect beginning for the Diesels, who settled into the contest with plenty of confidence after taking the early 6-0 advantage.
They continued to threaten every time they had possession, with Tarah Bouffler proving a constant handful for the Brothers defence.
Bouffler was eventually rewarded for her strong start to the contest when she created the opportunity for speedster Abbey Field, who finished the movement to extend Junee’s advantage.
With the Diesels leading 12-0, Brothers managed to peg one try back before half-time, but Junee remained in control and added a penalty goal to take a valuable 14-6 lead into the break.
The minor premiers needed to produce something special after the interval, but it was Junee who continued to find ways to trouble the Brothers defence.
Field crossed for her second try of the afternoon after coach and Weissel Medal winner Emma Hickey produced one of the moments of the match.
Hickey received the ball from the back of the scrum and beat several would-be defenders before eventually finding space out wide.
The ball was worked to Field, who made no mistake in finishing the movement in the corner to put the Diesels firmly in control.
From there, Junee’s defence did the rest.
The Diesels refused to allow Brothers any easy opportunities and continually turned the minor premiers away, with their only try of the afternoon coming from a kick.
It was a defensive effort that summed up Junee’s performance — disciplined, committed and prepared to work for one another right until the final whistle.
Field was deservedly named player of the match after her two-try performance, but she was far from alone in producing a memorable grand final.
Bouffler was a constant threat with the ball in hand, while Hickey’s contribution was immense, particularly in the second half when the Diesels needed someone to produce something special.
Lock Claire Foley and hooker Emily Edson also got through a mountain of work in the middle of the field, making their presence felt both with and without the ball.
In the halves, Willis and Haileigh Neaves provided plenty of direction and composure, particularly when Brothers threatened to build pressure.
The result was a fitting reward for a group that had been forced to watch their premiership hopes disappear at the preliminary final stage last year.
This time, the Diesels had the opportunity to finish the job — and they took it.
The 20-6 victory not only delivered Junee its first Group 9 Women’s Tackle premiership, but also provided a glimpse of what could be ahead for the club.
With a large number of young players forming the nucleus of the side, the Diesels have plenty of potential to establish themselves as a force in the competition for years to come.
For now, though, the focus belongs on a group that has etched its name into Junee rugby league history.
The Diesels are Group 9 premiers.
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