Recap

Perfect end to the perfect season

By Pete Oliver

IT was the perfect end to the perfect season. Goulburn Dirty Reds Women’s side completed an undefeated year, wrapping up the ACT Women’s 10s title with a 50-29 win over ADFA.

It was revenge for last year’s loss to the Lions, and in many ways the game was a mirror of last season’s decider. A big home crowd filled the hills around Poidevin Oval to watch the first ever Women’s grand final played in Goulburn, and they were treated to a cracking game.

Like she did in the semi-final, Grace Maxwell proved a difference when she came off the bench. The player of the final bagged a hat trick, and was just a threat every time she touched the ball. But while Maxwell claimed the player of the match honours, it was a genuine team effort, right across the board.

However, there is one more player worth a special mention. Bella Sheen put in the typical captain’s knock her side has come to expect from her. Strong runs, punishing defence, ferocity at the breakdown, outstanding set piece play, and a (possibly unlucky) stint on the naughty chair.

Sheen has grown into her leadership role this season, after missing most of last year when she snapped her collarbone in the first game of 2023. While Sheen has always led by example, this season she has found her voice, with a confidence to articulate her thoughts and the side’s plans. It’s a skill that will hold both her and the club in strong stead over the coming years, as she settles into the long-term captaincy of the Women’s side.

Now, to the game. As they’ve done most of the season, the Reds struck early and struck fast. It only took three minutes for the Reds to open the scoring through outstanding youngster Emily Stanberg, with the home side doubling their lead five minutes later when prop Hunnie Martin barrelled over for a try.

When boom youngster Nicole Waddell scored two minutes later, things were looking up as the Reds held a 17-0 lead. However, ADFA hit back, and it was the Reds’ ill-discipline that kept the defending champions in the game. Tries either side of the quarter break narrowed the score to 17-10, before the Reds scored their best try of the season.

Fullback Jasmine Bes got the ball near her own line, feinted and drifted towards the right sideline, and burned a few defenders. Drawing in one more tackler, Bes popped an inside ball to Mel Smith, who straightened the attack and blew through a tackler. An offload back on the inside found a rampaging Jessie Abnett, who kept the movement going as the attack went through the hands. When Maxwell got the ball, she still had plenty of work to do, and 50m to get to the line. A step, a fend, and she was off. Burning defenders on the outside, Maxwell strode away to score under the posts and further the Reds’ lead.

The Reds’ ill-discipline proved too much for referee Damien McLachlan, who lost patience with the repeated high tackles and sent Nicole Waddell to the sin bin.

Despite being down a player, Goulburn were the next to score through great vision from Ash Mewburn, a lucky bounce of the ball, and a determined chase by Maxwell. Mewburn put in a midfield kick, which bounced high between the ADFA defenders. Maxwell was the sole chaser for Goulburn, and the ball fell into her arms for her to score under the sticks in the shadows of half time. Maxwell bagged her hat trick in the minute after the half time break, but that was as good as it got for Goulburn for the third quarter.

Sheen found herself in the sin bin, and ADFA took advantage of the overlap. The Lions ran in three tries to tighten the score to 38-29, and a grant stand finish beckoned. But with three minutes to go, rookie Merrin Eagles put the match beyond doubt with some quick thinking, some quicker reactions, and even quicker feet to beat the ADFA defender to score.

When Josephine O’Brien crossed right on full time for a try under the posts, the celebrations well and truly began.

The unbeaten season wasn’t a fluke. It was the result of nine months of graft, and a willingness to work and learn. Mewburn brought all her extensive coaching experience and professionalism to the team, and all the players willingly bought into it.

This is a tight knit group, a mix of seasoned veterans and energetic youngsters. There is an incredibly talented collection of Trinity Rugby players making their way through the girls’ rugby ranks, which will hopefully further bolster Goulburn’s playing stocks.

The future is bright, and can be brighter still. The season doesn’t end for Abnett, O’Brien and Sheen just yet, with all three selected for ACT Country honours next week. But for now, there were celebrations to be had.

Goulburn 50 (Grace Maxwell 3, Emily Stanberg, Hunnie Martin, Nicole Waddell, Merrin Eagles, Josephine O’Brien tries, Ash Mewburn 5 conversions) bt ADFA 29 (Matthews 2, Clarke, Crawford, Reid tries, Crawford, Clarke conversion).

By the Clock:

3 mins – Emily Stanberg try (5-0)
8 mins – Hunnie Martin try (10-10)
10 mins – Nicole Waddell,  Ash Mewburn  conv (17-0)
14 mins – ADFA try (17-5)

23 mins – ADFA try (17-10)
25 mins – Grace Maxwell try, Ash Mewburn conv (24-10)
28 mins – Nicole Waddell yellow card
30 mins –  Grace Maxwell try, Ash Mewburn conv (31-10)

31 mins – Grace Maxwell try, Ash Mewburn conv (38-10)
43 mins – Bella Sheen yellow card
45 mins – ADFA converted try (38-17)

49 mins – ADFA try (38-22)
54 mins – ADFA converted try (38-29)
57 mins – Merrin Eagles try, Ash Mewburn conv (43-29)
60 mins – Josephine O’Brien try, Ash Mewburn conv (50-29)