KDL ǀ Gallery ǀ ‘I’m so happy for them’: Merrigum survives Tally scare to complete unbeaten year

A plucky Tallygaroopna outfit was intent on spoiling the Merrigum party on Saturday and started in blistering fashion.

The Redlegs took control of the game in the first half, highlighted by some clinical shooting from Tallygaroopna’s Ella Davidson.

But a gritty second-half fightback, through hard running and composure in the final third, saw the Bulldogs drag themselves back into the game.

Coach Jennifer Smith said her side’s grand final efforts typified the season they had enjoyed.

“I’m so happy for them because of how hard they’ve worked,” Smith said.

“Every Tuesday and every Thursday night, rain, hail or shine, they were out there training.

“We were training for this and we got it; it feels really nice.”

Smith said when the chips were down, her side rallied around each other and mounted a fightback for the ages.

“They were down a few times today, but they were told just chip away at it,” she said.

“They started to get better as a team when they were down, they started to support each other more.

“Everybody was doing their job, and that was all that we asked of them today.”

The Merrigum coach had several key performers who starred on Saturday.

“I loved how mature Jade Christou was in the goal ring,” Smith said.

“She’s only a first year and I thought her performance was outstanding.

“I loved that Nicole (Doherty) had struggled as goal shooter in the first half, but in the second half, she was an absolute shining light.

“And naturally Nhykira (Mansfield) in the middle, she’s just such a clever player.”

Fourteen unbeaten games, before three wins in the final series, presented a variety of challenges this year, Smith said, but her side had found the mental toughness it needed to get across the line.

“We won every game, and sometimes it’s hard to maintain a level head about the job that’s yet to be done, finals are a whole new ball game,” Smith said of the year.

“But we focused on ourselves and worked hard on what we needed to to get to where we are today.”