A dominant first-half blitz was enough for Shepparton Swans to quell a late charge from Moama as they etched their name in the history books with back-to-back Northern Country Women’s League Youth Girls premierships.
The Swans, led by a classy Jerrah Caruso, slammed home four goals and held their rival goalless in a match-winning first-half performance before weathering a second-half fightback to run out 7.6 (48) to 4.5 (29) winners at Deakin Reserve on Sunday.
Caruso was front and centre in the Swans’ impressive start to the big dance and booted three goals before half-time in an eye-catching day out that delivered her best-on-ground honours.
Although Caruso was the leading talent on the day, she wasn’t alone in sealing Swans their second Youth Girls title.
The Deniliquin teenager found support from tough in-and-under on-baller Ellie Armstrong, talented tall Atong Dang and versatile Payten Johnstone (one goal).
Despite only nine players remaining from last year’s premiership, Swans had the nerve to hold out against the Magpies who outscored them after half-time.
Swans coach Leigh Egan, who led Shepparton to multiple Youth Girls titles, said he was proud of his outfit’s ability to regather itself after Moama’s ominous charge after the break.
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Head over the ball: Swans' Holly Egan. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 2 of 10
Fire it away: Swans' Hannah Berriman fires off a handball while Moama's Matilda Cooke lays a tackle. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 3 of 10
Caught: Swans' Ellie Armstrong tackles Moama's Shaleah Cooper. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 4 of 10
Party time: Swans' Ruby McLeod celebrates a goal. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 5 of 10
Quick kick: Moama's Kaitlyn Davidson gets a kick away. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 6 of 10
Don't look back: Swans' Jerrah Caruso. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 7 of 10
Eyes up: Swans' Nakiah Sangster-Bamblett. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 8 of 10
Wrapped up: Moam's Ella Plattfuss tackled by Swans' Holly Egan. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 9 of 10
Hot on the heels: Moama's Grace McMillan has eyes on the ball while Swans' Nakiah Sangster-Bamblett follows in pursuit. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 10 of 10
Talk it out: Swans’ Youth Girls coach Leigh Egan. Photo by Aydin Payne“Grand finals do funny things to athletes,” Egan said.
“Regardless of what you have done to those teams during the year, they seem to be able to put the hoodoo on you ... all of a sudden they’re back in the game.
“Well done to Moama, they didn’t hand it to us ... for them (Swans) to stay composed, when they’re under pressure like that, and then go forward and score is a really good effort. I’m very proud of them.”
2023 Youth Girls Grand Final
Moama 0.3, 0.5, 3.5, 4.5 (29)
Shepparton Swans 2.1, 4.3, 6.5, 7.6 (48)
Goals
Moama: Katie Shanon 2, Jemika Cooper, Shaleah Cooper
Shepparton Swans: Jerrah Caruso 3, Ruby McLeod 2, Holly Egan, Payton Johnston
Best
Moama: Jemika Cooper, Shaleah Cooper, Grace McMillan, Kaitlyn Davidson, Remi Baulch, Bree Church
Shepparton Swans: Jerrah Caruso, Ellie Armstrong, Atong Dang, Payten Johnston, Trinity Gullifer, Holly Egan
Egan highlighted the impressive performance from Caruso, who up against her former club, led from the front right from the first bounce.
Egan’s daughter Holly was lively across the ground, while Moama duo Jemika and Shaleah Cooper caused headaches for the Swans.
Moama’s three-goal third term was enough to send a massive scare through Egan and the coaching group, but a crucial goal from Ruby McLeod right on the three-quarter time siren pushed the buffer back out to 18 points.
Armstrong had a standout last term and seemed to have a hand in almost everything as the Swans held on to cement their place in the history books.
“I didn’t think she (Jerrah) would play like that today, just with the pressure on her and everything, but she did and she kicked a couple of goals early and she was probably the difference in the end,” Egan said.
“I thought we had enough ball carriers and ball movers to do damage early and then it was a case of them having to come back.
“At three-quarter time they had to kick three goals to win it and they’d only kicked three goals for the whole game.
“Ellie Armstrong just fought and fought and fought, caused about four or five stoppages in that last quarter that really slowed the game up for us when we were out on our feet.”