This was a grand final that had everything. A stunning best on ground performance from Steph Boxall, massive swings in momentum and final quarter heroics from one of the Hawks young guns Annie Ghirardello – all played in spectacular spring weather at Manuka Oval on Sunday morning. While last year’s grand final between the same opponents was the ultimate arm wrestle, the 2010 version was arguably one of those rare sequels that is better than the original.
The Hawks looked switched on from the first bounce. Experienced midfielders Boxall and Karen Hill helping to ensure most of the play was in the Hawks forward line, however the Hawks forwards initially failed to convert any of the forward pressure into goals. Steph showed them how to convert not once but twice, the second just getting over the line moments before the quarter time siren to give the Hawks a 14 point break at the first change, having already kicked what was the winning score in 09!.
The second quarter mirrored the first with the Hawks dominating general possession but again failing to make the most of their opportunities until it was Boxall again kicking her third for the day with a goal from a 50m penalty after an Ainslie opponent ran through the mark. The commitment of the Hawks was demonstrated in the second term when Karen Hill was floored late by the Ainslie ruck but bravely got back up and kept running, the result being a set shot to key forward Kath Ghirardello who kicked truly to give the Hawks a commanding five goal lead. Everything was going beautifully for the Hawks until some ill discipline and a 50m penalty gifted Ainslie’s first goal of the game.
The Hawks stayed out on the ground at half time as Ainslie retreated to the sheds. Whatever was said in there worked as Ainslie came out in the third term and showed why they had just pipped the Hawks for the minor premiership this year. With their on ballers getting on top and their centre half forward giving Ange Ballerini a hard time, all of a sudden the Ainslie team had all of the momentum and run and after conceding the first four goals of the game, had kicked the next five to unbelievably lead by two points at the final break.
Looking resplendent in their Hawks suits, the coaching team of Ness Mayer and Donna Puglisi had their work to do and responded with an inspired move to bring Steph Ingall into the ruck and throw Shelley West down back to shore up the back line. The team must have also been inspired by the massive huddle at the three quarter time break the supporters a sea of brown and gold. It had an immediate effect as the Hawks won the first clearance of the final quarter and moved the ball quickly to full forward Annie Ghirardello who marked 30m out from goal only to be dumped late by experienced Ainslie defender Sam Engel and given a 50m penalty. From there Annie was never going to miss and Ainslie’s lead was gone almost as quickly as it had arrived. With the Hawks up by a slight margin their small running brigade got to work, veteran Amy Currie in everything and Sherrie Syrek and Rach Colbert providing plenty of run and link play. The Hawks backline came under a tremendous amount of pressure but the combination of the experienced Ange Ballerini and Rona Rich with the first year guns Shelley West, Jess Runko and Kate Gemmell held firm. The sealer wasn’t pretty but that didn’t matter as Annie got her trusty left foot to the ball in a goal square scramble and gave the Hawks a lead that this time they were never gonna give up.
The final margin was 13 points and when the siren rang it signalled the first time ever that the Hawks had managed to go back-to-back. For the experienced leaders in the team co-captain Kerry Matthews, Ange Ballerini, Amy Currie, Karen Hill and Rona Rich it was their fourth premiership in seven seasons. On the flip side there were nine Hawks players joining the premiership club for the first time Kate Gemmell, Annie Ghirardello, Deb Lamond, Natasha Monger, Erin Pottenger, Jess Runko, Nat Runko, Julie Ticehurst and Shelley West.
Ness Mayer became the second ex Hawk player to coach the team to victory following from Kim Dickerson’s triumph last year. For Ness the win must have been particularly sweet after missing out as a player due to serious knee injuries. The win also meant a clean sweep for the Hawks in women’s footy following on from the Youth Girl U15s and U18s premierships and signals to the rest of the competition that the Hawks are well placed to try and become the first women’s team in the competition’s history to win three premierships, having themselves thwarted traditional rivals Eastlake attempts in 2004 and 2007.
To sum up the 2010 Grand Final showed that one of footy’s oldest cliché’s is alive and well – a champion team will always beat a team of champions – and that’s exactly what happened on Sunday at Manuka.
Last Modified on 24/07/2011 15:34