Minor Premiers reign supreme on big stage

Kiama Power rallied from their qualifying final defeat to win the Women's Division 1 Premiership. PHOTO: Dave Johnson

Journalist: Dan O’Bryan

Kiama Power have secured the 2023 AFL South Coast Women’s Division 1 premiership with a dominant 53-point victory against reigning premiers Northern Districts Tigers. Saving one of their season’s best performances for last, the Power led at every change in the commanding victory.

The first quarter was an even contest, with both teams matched at the centre clearance, generating plenty of movement from end to end, but neither doing much damage in the forward 50. It was Power forward Giselle Coromandel who kicked the first and only goal for the term, giving the Power a six-point buffer at the first break.

The second term saw Kiama really starting to get on top, dominating possession around the ground, led by midfielder Cassie O’Leary. After repeat entries to the forward line Kiama forward Yasmin Anderson kicked truly from 25 metres out to secure her first for the day. That goal was the only major for the term, the half finishing 2.1 (13) to 0.0 (0) in favour of the Power.

Northern Districts came out of half time strongly, led by Georgie Kuerschner and Georgia McEvoy and were generating plenty of forward entries but just couldn’t convert on the scoreboard. At the midway point of the term it was Kiama who struck first, Elizabeth Hoctor kicking a huge goal from outside 50 to extend their lead. It didn’t take long for the Power to strike again, as within a few minutes Yasmin Anderson gathered the ball from a marking contest and snapped her second goal of the day. With a 25-point lead heading into the final term, it was all Kiama, and the lead only grew throughout the fourth.

The final term was dominated by Kiama. Two goals in quick succession to Giselle Coromandel gave the Power all the momentum. It was then Shellee Gibson who got on the end of some quality delivery, and she kicked truly to secure her first major of the day. Coromandel then hit the scoreboard yet again with a bomb from outside 50 to finish the game. The final score was 8.5 (53) to 0.0 (0) in favour of the Power, Giselle Coromandel earning the best on ground medal for her dominant performance.