Geraldton Hockey Association: 10 in a row for Cardinals women’s A-grade after grand final win over Murchison

Cardinals’ A-grade women etched their names even deeper into Geraldton hockey history on Saturday, securing their 10th consecutive grand final victory with a nail-biting 1-0 win over Murchison at Wonthella Hockey Stadium. The clash was everything a grand final should be — fierce, tactical, and gripping until the very last minute. Both sides produced moments of brilliance, but it was Cardinals goalkeeper Lily Prow who stole the show. Delivering a performance worthy of the MVP award, Prow was nothing short of heroic, pulling off a string of athletic, game-saving stops to keep her side in the contest. At the other end, Joanna Walker stood tall for Murchison, denying the Cardinals’ forward line on multiple occasions. But with just minutes remaining, Jessica Giudice-Nairn finally broke through the Murchison wall, slotting the matchwinner and sparking jubilant celebrations among the Cardinal faithful. The goal capped off a decade of dominance for the club — 10 grand final wins in a row — a feat that cements their place as one of the GHA’s most successful outfits. Both teams had stand-outs across the park. Murchison’s Taylor Penney and Pippa Lin were tireless and creative, while Cardinals stalwarts Jenna Butson and Dayna Cooper saved their best for the biggest stage, producing season-defining performances when it mattered most. In the women’s reserves grand final earlier in the day, Saints stormed to a clinical 8-0 victory over Swans, sealing a three-peat of their own. Chelsea Bradburn and Alana Miles were unstoppable, each netting hat-tricks as Saints controlled the game from start to finish. Despite the lopsided scoreline, Swans fought bravely until the final whistle, making Saints earn every goal. The result may not have gone their way, but Swans should hold their heads high — reaching their first grand final in two decades is an achievement in itself and a sign of a bright future for the club.