An explosive, dominant opening term helped Dookie United win its way into its second straight Kyabram District League A-grade grand final.
With the winner to face Tallygaroopna in the big dance, United blew Nagambie out of the water with a 16 to seven opening quarter.
Dookie United recorded a 43-37 upset win in front of a raucous crowd at Girgarre Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
Playing co-coach Maddison Owen was a standout, alongside Gemma O’Sullivan, while Hayley Symonds enjoyed a stellar match through the midcourt.
After the match, Owen said it had been a key focus for the group to start well.
“The first quarter was so vital,’’ she said.
“Getting that start really set the game up for us and we just had to sort of hold onto that lead which we did.
The result capped off a remarkable nine months for the Thunder.
At the start of 2022 United was short of players, so to be through to the final match of the season was a credit to all involved.
“It’s huge for the club,” Owen said.
“Hopefully it (grand final appearance) brings out a few more girls next year, you can never have too many players.
“We sort of knew by the tail-end of the season that we would hopefully have our core group of girls playing but during the season it was survival mode.
“We’ve got there in the end which is great.”