GNWFL grand final: Chapman Valley secure their second ever flag after fourth quarter fightback against Towns

Chapman Valley have been crowned the premiers of the GNWFL after an outstanding fightback in the last term that saw them defeat Towns by 18 points, securing their second ever flag. Chapman Valley’s Andie Payne was awarded GNWFL’s best on ground while East Fremantle’s best-on-ground award went to Eva Campo. The win sparked ecstatic scenes, as the Royals reversed the result from last year’s grand final. Campo secured two goals along with teammate Ruby Wallace while fellow Royal Jess Jones kicked one. Towns’ goal kickers came from Sharntay Westberg, Holly Banes and Shathea Doley. Towns got their first major of the day through Westberg after a crafty finish under pressure as the Bulldogs got their day under way. Chapman Valley’s Campo made the most of her opportunity in front of goal after a strong pack mark in the goal square. Cassie Green was a stand-out for Chapman Valley in the backline, restricting Towns’ forwards as the Royals’ back group felt the pressure being applied to them by the Bulldogs. A free kick was awarded to Towns’ Banes who kicked true from 15m out, putting the Bulldogs in front just before the close of the first quarter. Towns led going into the first break by eight points, 2.2 (14) to 1.0 (6). Doley secured Towns’ third goal inside the first minute of the second term as the Bulldogs picked up where they left off. Chapman Valley regained control of the game in the second term but struggled in front of goal, kicking four behinds for the term as Towns went into the main break up by 10 points, 3.2 (20) to 1.4 (10). Scoring dried up in the third term as neither team was able to convert. An ill-discipline comment directed at an umpire from Towns’ co-captain Jess Giudice-Nairn after a deliberate out of bounds call was made led to Chapman Valley’s Wallace having a set shot from directly in front, which she converted. From there, Chapman Valley were able to lock it in their attacking half for the second half of the third term but were unable to kick straight. At the close of the third term, Chapman Valley trailed Towns by two points, 3.2 (20) to 2.6 (18). Early in the last term, Chapman Valley’s Ellie Blackmore sent a ball into the forward line which was met by Jones who took a solid contested mark. She played on and snapped on goal, putting the Royals in front. Towns couldn’t get the ball out of their defensive 50 as Chapman Valley applied a great deal of pressure to the back unit of the Bulldogs, leading to Campo kicking her second of the day and extending the Royals’ lead. The wheels began to fall off the Towns as the defensive unit of the Bulldogs folded under immense pressure from Chapman Valley’s midfielders and forwards. Another brilliant set-up kick from Blackmore found Wallace alone in the goal square as she kicked her second of the day, increasing the Royals’ lead to 17 points and securing their second premiership in the GNWFL. The final score was Chapman Valley 5.8 (38) to Towns 3.2 (20).