Tallon Smith

The Young Cherrypickers have completed a stunning run in the inaugural Group 9 Women’s Tackle Premiership, storming home from fourth to claim the title with a 16-10 win over the Estella Storm in the Grand Final at Geohex Park on Sunday.

The Cherrypickers burst out of the blocks in the first half, with three tries to Jayda Hemara, Shania McKinnon and Beth Loco opening up a 16-0 lead for the outsiders in front of a stunned crowd.

Needing to be the next to score, Bernie Delaney’s Storm outfit came roaring back in the second stanza, with two quick tries to star fullback Holly Williams and Dana Seward closing the margin to a converted try with ample time left for a third to level the game.

But, in the end, the Young defence held firm, repelling wave after wave of attack from the Storm to secure an incredible victory and the title of the first ever Women’s Tackle premiers in the region.

Speaking to Battlers For Bush Footy after the game, Young coach Jamila Piercy said that the feeling of taking out the Grand Final was beyond words. 

“I don’t think I have the words to describe it right now,” she said.

“I think from going in fourth to now winning the whole comp is just surreal.”

When asked about the comeback from the Minor Premiers in the second half, Piercy said that previous finals experience helped her side to remain calm and withstand the Estella attack.

“I felt like we stayed calm,” she said.

“We’ve been very lucky throughout the finals series that we’ve had situations like that already, so we knew what to do and we did it.”

The win is Young’s second women’s title overall, after their 2020 League Tag triumph against Kangaroos.