Cover Photo: Supplied/Temora Dragons RLFC
Tallon Smith
Temora gained redemption for last year’s heartbreaking two-point loss and cemented its status as the dominant force of the Group 9 league tag competition after claiming a fourth title in five years with an 18-6 victory over Wagga Brothers at Geohex Park on Sunday.
Two tries in quick succession late in the first half and another to Leo McCarthy Medallist Molly McCrone saw the Dragons skip out to an 18-0 lead, with Maisie Freemantle’s four-pointer the only time the Temora defence was breached in the 12-point victory.
After falling to Brothers 16-14 last season, before losing this year’s major semi final to the same opposition, Temora coach and best and fairest Emily Perrot was extremely pleased to turn the tables in the latest instalment of Group 9’s fiercest on-field rivalry.
“[I was] so happy for the girls that we could get the job done this year,” she said.
“Last year was obviously disappointing for us, especially being so close to a win.
“I thought we really executed our game plan well on Sunday and fixed up those areas we needed to work on from the semi final.
“Last year’s result was definitely a driving factor for us going into the final, so it was pleasing to get the job done on the day.”
The star of the show for the premiers was fullback Molly McCrone, with the competition’s joint top tryscorer crossing for a customary four-pointer that all but sealed the title for Temora to round out a strong overall performance.
Perrot said the speedster, who backed up later in the day to win the women’s ‘Dash for Cash’ race, produced yet another superb performance in the decider to round out an incredible season at the back for the Dragons, and was a deserving winner of the Leo McCarthy Medal as best on ground.
“Molly definitely had a fantastic game, she has played amazing all year so it was great to see her put on a performance in the final,” she said.
“She’s one of our leaders and she definitely stepped up again on the weekend.
“She’s a big part of our team and I’m so happy for her that she won the best on ground.”
The premiership victory is Temora’s sixth league tag triumph, three behind all-time leaders Brothers with nine.
TEMORA 18 (Emily Perrot, Sophie Bowley, Molly McCrone tries; Perrot 3 goals) DEFEATED WAGGA BROTHERS 6 (Maisie Freemantle try; Brooke Wiggett goal) at Geohex Park, Sunday September 20.
