WIN Stadium will host a blockbuster Women and Girls Tackle Grand Final Day, featuring six premiership deciders across the Dynamoney Under 14s and Under 16s competitions, alongside the Southern Corridor Under 18s and Open Women’s Grand Finals this Sunday.
Dapto and will compete in the U14-2 and U16-2 divisions, while Corrimal faces off against the Stingrays in the U18s. The Open Women’s showdown promises to be a highlight, with Illawarra rivals Corrimal and Helensburgh going head-to-head for premiership glory.
The action kicks off from 9.30am with the Dynamoney Girls Tackle Grand Finals for the U14s and U16S, making it a huge celebration of female rugby league at WIN Stadium this Sunday.
By Harrison Mellare
Southern Corridor Open Women’s Grand Final: Helensburgh vs Corrimal
It’s all things Illawarra in the grand final for the Open Women’s premiership, with Helensburgh to face Corrimal on grand final day after their 20-12 winning performance against Collegians last Saturday. They face a confident Corrimal outfit looking to make it three consecutive Open Women’s Premiership victories.
Corrimal and Helensburgh have faced each other three times this season, with two victories going to the Cougars in Rounds 1 and 6, with the Tigerlilies win coming in a close Round 11 clash.
Corrimal coach and halfback Jade Etherden (pictured below) said making the Grand Final in itself is an incredible feat, let alone doing it three times in a row.
“It’s been a bit of a stop-start season. We had quite a few forfeits along the way, but in the back end of the season, we’ve really built quite a strong connection within our team, and I think that’s got to carry into the Grand Final,” Etherden said.
“When we first started in this competition, we kind of were on the lower end of the table, and we’ve worked really hard to get to the top, and we just want to stay there now.
“This could actually be the first time we’ve ever won three in a row if we do, so that would be really special, and the club’s really getting around it.
“They’re all getting around us this week at training. The boys, they’re all really supportive of us as well. They’re always showing up for us, and yeah, the club’s really just getting around it.”
Etherden also reflected on the team’s only defeat of the season, against their grand final opponents in Round 11, and how it motivated them to lift their performance.
“I think the loss worked really well for us,” Etherden said.
“I think it really helped us rebuild the foundations that we had from last year that we weren’t really carrying into this year at the start of the season, but we built such a strong foundation since that game, and I think it’s going to do us really well going into the final.”
Etherden said the feelings heading into this week are very different than in a regular-season game, but the confidence is still there.
“There’s a lot more feeling in it. There’s a lot more nervousness among the group, but I have absolute faith in them that we will get the job done on Sunday.”
Helensburgh coach Nathan Simpson described qualifying for the grand final after a tough preliminary final as a tremendous achievement for the team.
“It was obviously very exciting, a lot of relief and just really happy for everyone involved: the playing group, the staff, the club, family and friends,” Simpson said.
“We’re just really looking forward to the challenge ahead, really excited and really happy with the way things panned out.”
Simpson added that the blend of excitement and nerves has actually served as a major confidence boost for the team.
“I think it’s a mix of both. To be honest, it’s why you play sport,” Simpson said.
“This is why I coach, this is what we do it for. We’ve had a really long year, we’ve had to play every game. We’ve gone a long way. We’ve had a really tough draw, but yeah, the week’s been fantastic.
“I think everyone’s excited we get the opportunity to go out on grand final day and compete, give ourselves an opportunity of winning one, but it’s been really good.
“We’ve trained really well. The girls are really relaxed and excited, and we’re just looking forward to the challenge on Sunday.”
Simpson said the effort put into this season is something the whole club should be proud of.
“This year, I think it’s just a great reward for the amount of work we’ve put in.
“We’ve worked really hard. Our pre-season which started in October last year, and it’s just a really nice feeling to know that hard work pays off.
“I’m just so thrilled for the club that in just two years, we’ve been able to build a team and build a squad that’s got to a position to compete in a grand final. That’s the most exciting thing is that we’ve worked really hard to get here in a short period of time and we know we’ve got a job to do.”
Kick-off is scheduled for 3.20pm on Sunday, 30th August at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
Southern Corridor U18s Women Grand Final: Corrimal vs Stingrays
Corrimal suffered a heavy 62-0 defeat to the Stingrays in Round 1, later turning the tables with a 22-10 win over the Stingrays, ultimately finishing as minor premiers with an 11-2 record.
Although they narrowly lost 30-22 in the major semi-final, Corrimal earned their grand final spot the hard way with a convincing 28-4 victory against Como Jannali in the preliminary final.
Dynamoney Illawarra South Coast Girls Tackle Grand Finals: Preview
Four teams have the opportunity to reach premiership glory and lift the trophy in the Dynamoney Illawarra South Coast Merged Comp Girls Tackle Grand Finals, also held this Sunday at WIN Stadium.
Under 14s Girls Tackle Second Division: Milton-Ulladulla vs Dapto
The Second Division Grand Final features first-placed Milton-Ulladulla, who advanced with a strong 22-10 preliminary final win, taking on second-placed Dapto, who booked their spot after a semi-final victory in the opening week of finals.
Milton-Ulladulla holds a 2-1 edge in their head-to-head battles this season, earning wins in Round 9 (32-16) and Round 12 (28-16), while Dapto responded with a 20-8 triumph in the semi-final.
Kick-off is scheduled for 9.30am at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
Under 14s Girls Tackle Premier Division: Shellharbour Maroon vs Albion Park Oak Flats
The Under 14s Girls Tackle Premier Division Grand Final will be held between the first-placed Shellharbour Maroon, who have dropped just one game all season, and third-placed Albion Park Oak Flats. The Eagles boast a respectable 9-3 record after a strong win over Kiama to qualify for the grand final.
Shellharbour Maroon leads the head-to-head this season, having claimed both previous encounters against Albion Park Oak Flats. However, both games were tightly contested, decided by just six points: 26-20 in Round 5 and 28-22 in Round 8.
Kick-off is scheduled for 10.40am at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
Under 16s Girls Tackle Second Division: St Georges Basin vs Dapto
The Second Division Grand Final features first-placed St Georges Basin facing off against second-placed Dapto, who qualified after a victory over Collegians in the preliminary final.
Dapto will go into the game as underdogs, having been on the wrong end of the results against St Georges Basin this year, losing all four head-to-head fixtures, conceding 90 points, and scoring only 28.
Kick-off is scheduled for 11.50am at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
Under 16s Girls Tackle Premier Division: Gerringong vs Stingrays
The Under 16s Girls Tackle Premier Division Grand Final will see top-seeded Gerringong, who qualified after a dominant season and a hard-fought semi-final win over the second-placed Stingrays, who secured their spot with a 20-14 victory over Wests in the preliminary final to make it to the big day.
Gerringong have won all three head-to-head battles this season, claiming victory in Round 3 (10-0), Round 7 (26-0), and the 20-16 semi-final to book their place in the decider.
Kick-off is scheduled for 1.00pm at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
Images: Helensburgh Facebook