James Murphy
Kybybolite 5.13 (43) d South Gambier 0.3 (3)
THE final siren sounded on the 2022 Limestone Coast Women’s Football League season over the weekend, with Kybybolite crowned premiers after a dominant display.
The northern Tigers matched up against an undefeated South Gambier outfit in Sunday’s grand final at McCorquindale Park.
However, despite their track record the Demons stumbled when it counted and a quick start from Kybybolite caught them on the back foot early.
Kyby led at the first change 12-0, but the margin could have been far greater had it not been for an off-target return of 1.6.
The Tigers found their mark in the second quarter and with another two unanswered goals they found themselves up by 23 points at the main break.
Georgia Gill had already started to shine by that point, as she played her heart out to earn the best-on-ground medal at the conclusion of the day.
Ella Jones was another standout and worked tirelessly through the midfield.
The second half unfolded similarly to the first and South was unable to find a foothold as the Tigers continued their dominance for the remainder of the match.
Kybybolite coach Luke Crossling could not have been more pleased with the result, which came on the back of a hearty team performance.
“I am stoked – obviously with the result and the way we went about it,” he said.
South had not dropped a game all season and had the confidence of a qualifying-final win over Kyby heading into the clash.
However, the Demons were caught off guard on Sunday and Crossling said a change in game plan helped set up his team.
“I think we play our best footy when we just play our way,” he said.
“When we play South I have probably tended to be wary of what they’ve got – we have probably gone into games wanting to put players on players.”
Crossling said that was not the case on Sunday.
He put an emphasise and having plenty of players around the ball in an effort to push forward.
That did not mean the Kyby defence had it easy by any means and they were a highlight of the day, with impressive turnovers whenever South looked like it was going to create an opportunity.
Tess Andrews tried her hardest to pull her team back into the game, while Lauren Frost and Kendell Saffin were also impressive.
Yet the Demons were unable to find connection across the ground and every possession was contested heavily.
By three-quarter time the margin was 33 points, with South only managing two minor scores.
It was not without its chances, but the Kyby defence stood tall and proved impenetrable.
At the other end of the ground Sophie Ford had a solid game at centre-half forward, while Dellie Brown, Susannah Maber and Tyler Atkinson also earned themselves mentions in the best players in the most important game of the season.
“You couldn’t find 22 girls who have been more excited,” Crossling said.
“They are a great bunch of girls and a great bunch of mates.”
Prior to the day’s main event, Casterton Sandord put on a show in its Group B grand final against North Gambier.
The Cats held their opponent scoreless for the four quarters, while piling on a hefty 102-point score to cruise to victory unchallenged.
Casterton Sandford’s Sophie Arkun was named best on ground for the match.
The Victorians wasted no time setting up a lead, with 28 points the difference at the first change, before a six-goal second term put the Tigers to bed.
The Cats slowed down somewhat in the second half with five majors, but by then the game was already over.
North will now regroup and hope to go one better next year, while the Cats will have their eyes on making the A Group finals in 2023.
