2024 WOMEN'S CUP PREMIERS
Premiership Photo's
Killarney Vale down Cardiff to win first Women's Black Diamond Cup Flag
Courtesy of Newcastle Herald and Max McKinney
After three consecutive grand final losses, Killarney Vale have taken out their first women's Black Diamond Cup with a five-point win over Cardiff at No.1 Sportsground on Saturday.
The Bombers, who fell to Newcastle City in deciders across 2020-23, finally broke their run of defeats with a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the minor premiers.
On a glorious day in Newcastle, Killarney Vale 5.1 (31) overcame an early two-goal deficit and held off a fast-finishing Cardiff 3.8 (26) to clinch a maiden flag.
It was a close contest throughout the match with neither side able to take a commanding lead.
Playing in their first grand final, Cardiff trailed 25-18 heading into the final quarter and scored an early goal to move within a point, but the Bombers almost immediately hit back to go seven points clear.
A behind helped Cardiff move within a goal which set up a frantic last 10 minutes, but despite their best efforts - including a kick at goal inside 50 metres after the full-time siren - couldn't bridge the gap.
"We've lost a few, so to be here today and get that win today with the girls, it's unbelievable," Killarney Vale co-captain Kristen Kessler said.
Fellow co-captain Brooke Hoolihan said it was a relieving victory after three failed attempts.
"I think this year we've really just wanted to enjoy the process," she said.
"I think in the past we maybe stressed out a bit too much about it.
"But this year we really just wanted to go out and enjoy it."
Cardiff, who put a gallant fight, scored consecutive goals to open the scoring in the first quarter, but the Bombers hit back to reduce their advantage to 15-13 at the first break.
The Central Coast side took the lead for the first time five minutes into the second stanza and with repeat goals from Crystal Brown, the league's leading goal-scorer, moved nine points ahead.
Cardiff could only manage two behinds, which left the Bombers leading 25-17 at half-time.
Cardiff found their groove again after the main break but despite spending majority of the third quarter in the attacking half of the field, only reduced the deficit by one point.
Entering the final quarter trailing 25-18, Cardiff needed to start well and Ellyse Lynch's goal two minutes in moved them back within a point.
But the Bombers hit straight back with a goal of their own a few minutes later from Brooke Turner, who was named best on ground, to make it 31-25.
Killarney Vale become only the third club to win the women's first-grade competition, alongside Newcastle City and Nelson Bay.
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Other Grand Final results:
Men's Black Diamond Cup
Newcastle City 10.4.64 def Cardiff 2.8.20
Men's Black Diamond Plate
Cardiff 9.5.59 def Newcastle City 6.15.51
Women's Black Diamond Plate
Wyong Lakes 10.9.69 def Cardiff 0.2.2
The Road to the Premiership
Rd 2 - Killarney Vale 17.14.116 def Singleton 0.1.1 @ Adelaide St Oval
Goals: C. Browne 5, M. Wilson 3, H. Bryson 2, J. Green 2, N. Carter 1, H. Gibbons 1. E. Johnson 1, C. Preston 1, B. Wood 1
Best: B. Wood, M. Wilson, N. Carter, C. Browne, B. Turner, K. Kessler
Rd 3 - Killarney Vale 11.11.77 def Warners Bay 0.0.0 @Feighan Oval
Goals: J. Green 2, S. Woolford 2, N. Carter 1, A. Page 1, H. Gibbons 1, C. Preston 1, S. Simmons 1, B. Turner 1, M. Wilson 1
Best: E. Crookes, H. Gibbons, N. Carter, E. Hand, B. Wood, B. Turner
Rd 4 - Killarney Vale 15.20.110 def Maitland 0.0.0 @ Adelaide St Oval
Goals: C. Browne 7, M. Wilson 3, A. Page 2, E. Johnson 1, C. Preston 1, S. Woolford 1
Best: K. Kessler, B. Wood, E. Crookes, M. Wilson, L. Carruthers, Z. Naylor
Rd 5 - Killarney Vale 6.4.40 def Cardiff 2.3.15 @ Pasterfield Sports Complex
Goals: N. Carter 1, E. Hand 1, K. Kessler 1, A. Page 1, C. Preston 1, M. Wilson 1
Best: H. Gibbons, E. Hand, K. Kessler, N. Carter, E. Johnson, J. Green
Rd 6 - Killarney Vale 19.10.124 def Terrigal Avoca 0.2.2 @ Hylton Moore Oval
Goals: M. Wilson 5, C. Browne 5, E. Hand 2, K. Kessler 2, A. Page 2, J. Bender 1, C. Preston 1, B. Turner 1
Best: M. Wilson, C. Browne, E. Hand, K. Kessler, B. Turner, B. Wood
Rd 7 - Killarney Vale 13.18.96 def TEBB 0.0.0 @ Adelaide St Oval
Goals: A. Page 5, M. Wilson 4, J. Green 2, N. Carter 1, C. Browne 1,
Best: A. Page, K. Kessler, N. Carter, E. Hand, J. Green, M. Wilson
Rd 8 - Killarney Vale 21.20.146 def Maitland 0.0.0 @ Max McMahon Oval
Goals: J. Green 4, C. Preston 4, M. Wilson 4, C. Browne 4, B. Turner 2, J. Bender 1, D. Butler 1, E. Johnson 1
Best: C. Preston, J. Green, B. Wood, C. Browne, B. Turner. M. Wilson
Rd 9 - Killarney Vale 5.3.33 def Newcastle City 3.1.19 @ Adelaide St Oval
Goals: J. Green 1, K. Kessler 1, C. Preston 1, M. Wilson 1, C. Browne 1
Best: B. Turner, K. Kessler, E. Hand, T. White, H. Gibbons, B. Wood
Rd 10 - Killarney Vale 11.10.76 def Terrigal Avoca 0.0.0 @ Adelaide St Oval
Goals: D. Butler 2, A. Page 2, M. Wilson 2, C. Browne 2, J. Green 1, K. Kessler 1, B. Turner 1
Best: E. Hand, J. Green, A. Page, B. Hoolihan, J. Bender, B. Turner
Rd 11 - Killarney Vale 26.8.164 def TEBB 1.0.6 @ Bateau Bay Oval
Goals: J. Green 6, A. Page 5, C. Browne 5, J. Bender 3, C. Preston 3, N. Carter 2, S. Edwards 2
Best: J. Green, E. Crookes, E. Hand, C. Browne, D. Butler. A. Page
Rd 12 - Killarney Vale 4.2.46 def By Cardiff 6.3.39 @ Adelaide St Oval
Goals: M. Wilson 2, S. Bailey 1, C. Browne 1
Best: E. Hand, S. Bailey, H. Gibbons, B. Turner, B. Wood, S. Edwards
Rd 13 - Killarney Vale 6.8.44 def Singleton 0.0.0 @ Rose Point Park
Goals: C. Browne 2, J. Green 1, Z. Naylor 1, C. Preston 1, M. Wilson 1
Best: Z. Naylor, L. Murphy, B. Hoolihan, J. Bender. S. Edwards, B. Wood
Rd 14 - Killarney Vale def Warners Bay - Forfeit
Rd 15 - Killarney Vale 3.5.23 def Newcastle City 2.4.16 @ No 1 Sportsground
Goals: J. Bender 1, B. Turner 1, C. Browne 1
Best: B. Wood, K. Kessler, S. Simmons, S. Edwards, E. Johnson, B. Turner
Rd 16 - Killarney Vale 3.4.22 def by Cardiff 5.7.37 @ Adelaide St Oval
Goals: S. Edwards1. M. Wilson 1, B. Wood
Best: T. White, B. Wood, E. Hand, E. Crookes, B. Turner, S. Edwards
Rd 17 - Killarney Vale 12.10.82 def Terrigal Avoca 3.2.20 @ Hylton Moore Oval
Goals: M. Wilson 4, T. White 2, S. Edwards 1, J. Green 1, B. Turner 1, B. Wood 1, C. Browne 1
Best: H. Gibbons, M. Wilson, J. Green, T. White, L. Murphy, E. Crookes
Rd 1 - Killarney Vale 3.6.24 def By Newcastle City 6.6.42 @ Adelaide St Oval
Goals: J. Green 1, E. Murphy 1, C. Browne 1
Best: B. Turner, T. White, E. Murphy, L. Murphy. E. Hand, H. Gibbons
Preliminary Final - Killarney Vale 5.3.33 def Newcastle City 4.6.30 @ Don Small Oval
Goals: S. Edwards 1, H. Gibbons 1, B. Hoolihan 1, T. White 1, C. Browne 1
Best: E. Hand, B. Wood, B. Turner, T. White, H. Gibbons, S. Edwards
Grand Final - Killarney Vale vs Cardiff @ Newcastle No 1 Sportsground
Goals: Bubbah Browne 2, Brooke Turner 1, Mia Wilson 1, Caitlin Preston 1
Best: Brooke Turner (Best on Ground), Holly Gibbons, Eliza Hand, Bubbah Browne, Skye Bailey, Taya White
Meet the Premiership Players
Let's meet the Killarney Vale Women's Cup Premiership Team
1 - Dixie Butler, a dynamic midfielder, excels in contested footy with relentless hard work over the ball. A tenacious presence, she drives the team’s midfield dominance.
2- Sasha Edwards, A midfielder turned small forward, Edwards showcases her leadership and high football IQ, adapting seamlessly to new roles with precision and insight.
3- Bethany Wood, a lightning-fast midfielder, thrives putting on tackling pressure and consistently lifts her team's game with her big impact moments
5- Bubbah Brown, a versatile forward, can score from anywhere on the field with impressive accuracy. Her ability to convert chances makes her a constant scoring threat.
7. Eliza Hand, a dominating ruck with endless energy, plays hard and relentless. Her unstoppable drive makes her a formidable force in every contest.
8. Nikita Carter, a powerful midfielder, excels in contested situations and uses her speed to break out and create scoring opportunities with dynamic playmaking.
10. Holly Gibbons, a sharp half-back, excels at reading the play and intercepting. She skillfully breaks lines, transitions the ball forward, and occasionally shifts into midfield to alter gameplay.
11. Sarah Murphy, a reliable backline player, excels in one-on-one contests and is a rock-solid last line of defense, ensuring her team's stability and security
12. Skye Bailey, a versatile backline player, excels in shutting down key forwards and reading the play. She can seamlessly transition to forward positions to make a significant impact.
13. Kristen Kessler, a strategic midfielder and co-captain, leverages her deep game knowledge to create plays and is consistently solid across the entire ground in important moments.
15. Zoe Naylor, a speedy backline player, excels at shutting down quick forwards. Recently moved to midfield, she adds depth and versatility to the team’s game plan
17. Brooke Turner, an attacking midfielder, combines speed and a powerful side step to outpace defenders. Known for her goal-scoring ability, she adds a dynamic edge to her team's offense.
18. Brooke Hoolihan, a key defender and co-captain, excels in spoiling attacks and anchoring the defense. Her leadership and defensive prowess make her a crucial team asset
23. Megan Jenkins, a skilled defender, hard defender that provides crucial on-field communication. Her vocal leadership and defensive tactics are key to the team's success.
25. Taya White, known for her strong overhead marking and game intelligence, excels in creating plays. Versatile and adaptable, she can impact the game both forward and back.
26. Jazmyn Bender, a small forward, is known for her relentless forward pressure and knack for scoring sneaky goals, making her a constant threat in the attacking zone.
30. Mia Wilson, a powerful forward, excels with strong overhead marks and a precise set shot. She effectively takes marks up the ground to help create scoring opportunities for other players.
31. Holly Bryson, a solid defender, is versatile enough to move to the wing. She excels with clearing kicks, efficiently transitioning the ball out of the defensive zone.
32. Emily Crookes, a dynamic wing player, combines speed, knowledge, and strength. Her tackling ability and impactful play make her a key asset across the field
47. Leah Murphy, a reliable ruck and defender, excels with her ability to kick effectively with both feet. Her versatility and dependability make her a key player in both roles.
51. Jacqueline Green, a formidable forward, uses her speed, strength, and relentless pressure to consistently score. Known for getting up the field to help break out of the backline with her speed.
64. Caitlin Preston, a powerful forward, excels in outmuscling opposition with her strength. Her physical presence and dominance make her a key asset in the attacking half
Coach, Brad Edwards. 1st year coach who will be well prepared. Excellent career as a player including a Premiership winning captain for the club in 2022.