Hungry Lions tame Tigers to claim maiden premiership

Royals have won their maiden Great Southern Women’s Football League premiership, completing a perfect season with a 15-point win over Railways at Centennial Stadium on Friday night.

In front of a crowd in excess of 1500 people, the Lions capped off their dominant 2019 campaign with a grand final triumph to make amends for their defeat in the same game last year.

Lions player-coach Claire Hard marked strongly and then kicked truly to open the scoring and her side had the majority of play in the opening term.

The Lions kicked three points to start the second term before Kylie Douglas, who was used through the ruck, ran inside forward 50 to slam home their second major of the game.

With an 18-point half-time lead it was always going to be tough for the Tigers from there.

But they began to win their share of possession in the third term and got on top in the inside-50 count.

With Ksharna Coyne and captain Shelby Upson influential, the Tigers dominated the fourth term with the ball locked in their forward half.

However, they were unable to hit the scoreboard with only three behinds to show for their efforts.

The Lions were too strong in the end as their first half set up the grand final triumph, 2.6 (18) to 0.3 (3), along with keeping the Tigers scoreless for three quarters.

Midfielder Renae Parsons, a State Country hockey player, was named best on ground in the victory, her performance around the ground and was telling in the result while Douglas was also superb.

The Lions were also well served by Narelle Humphries, Hard and Tahlia Scott.

Upson led from the front for her side, and was clearly their best contributor, while Coyne, Madison Dallimore, Hollee Siviour and Rebecca Perry also played well.