Chapman Valley break their grand final curse to claim maiden premiership over Rams

Chapman Valley Women’s side broke through for their first flag after a dominant performance over the Rams in Saturday’s grand final extravaganza, winning 9.6 (60) to 4.7 (31). The Royals have dominated the women’s competition since its inception and only lost one game all year but had never been able to grab the flag, being on the losing side in their previous three grand final appearances. The Rams got close to upsetting the Royals in their last meeting going down by one point and welcomed back Tiani Teakle from East Fremantle in a huge inclusion. They won their preliminary final by holding out with staunch defence for three quarters before kicking away at the last and it looked like they were going for a similar style here as they locked the ball down in their forward half. They opened the scoring with a behind as the Royals couldn’t get a look at their goal as the Rams flooded the area and kept up high pressure as the game saw very little free-flowing football. The Royals looked like they were going to get the opening goal but a lack of game awareness saw them play on from the mark just as the siren went instead of taking the set shot to see the score wiped. The Rams led at the break 0.1 (1) to 0.0 (0). Given their finals record the Royals would’ve wanted to quickly impose themselves on the game and not let another chance pass. They got the ball at the right end of the ground early and Kayley King opened the scoring after latching on to a defensive error and snapping from a tight angle in a fantastic solo effort. She then backed it up with a fine effort on the run from a tight angle to get the Royals second as they started to win the ball more consistently out of the middle. Lucinda Rouse then kicked true from 30m as the much-lauded Royals firepower started to impress themselves on the game. The Rams looked like they couldn’t hang with the Royals as Tayah Palmer nailed her first of the afternoon as their sharp shooting helped them to a 5.1 (31) to 0.1 (1) lead at the main break. Kimberley Mawer then kicked just her second goal of the season with another well-taken shot to get the Royals’ sixth goal. The Royals just had a bit more strength around the ball and it was difficult to see how the Rams could get themselves back in the game. A lot would rest on Selina Kiddle, who snapped excellently from around the body to get their first major. The Rams then enjoyed a little period of dominance as they had the ball living in their half. Kiddle then got her second from a free kick directly in front to close the gap to within four goals. The Rams could have had a third with a touch on the line saving Royals as they were under pressure but they still led 6.2 (38) to 2.4 (16). The Royals were in need of a reset and coach Jay Corlett had a simple message for his team at three-quarter time. “We cannot stand and we cannot stop, one more quarter to go, we cannot slip into defence, have to attack, attack, attack,” he said. Palmer did just that with a brilliant snap under pressure certainly to open the scoring for the fourth quarter. Rachel Trusso found a response for the Rams after a poor turnover in defence for the Royals. But Palmer found another goal with a smart lead to the footy to drop her opponent and split the Rams defence with a well-taken mark and goal. The Royals’ kicking out of defence still left something to desire but the Rams could not capitalise on their chances as time was slipping away. Palmer was red-hot and produced an unbelievable snap from tight on the boundary to all but end the contest. King then got her second with an easy poke in the goal square as the Royals celebrated their first premiership with the 9.6 (60) to 4.7 (31) victory. The Royals’ Tayah Palmer and Georgia Keysers were voted best on ground, the win being a huge relief for the Royals after dominating the competition in the past three years. Said Rams coach Josh Wilson: “We knew we would have to play our best footy and they would probably have to have an off-day for us to get over the line. They were just too strong for us on the day.”