Category: Match Reports

Inaccurate Cannons bow out of finals

Calder’s 2019 NAB League campaign has drawn to a close at the hands of the Sandringham Dragons in a rainy semi final played on Saturday.

The Cannons were within arm’s length for the majority of the contest but were in patches outclassed by the Dragons who were coming off a qualifying final defeat of their own.

Four un-answered goals to kick off proceedings helped set up the match for the Dragons who were kicking with an ominous breeze.

The 8.7 (55) to 1.12 (18) scoreline at Ikon Park is a far cry from the 109-point defeat the Cannons suffered at the hands of the Dragons back in Round 1.

Calder was able to outscore its highly-fancied opponent in two of the four quarters and won the contested possession (+8) and clearance (+5) counts.

But it was its inability to capitalise and find clear-cut chances that proved costly.

Sam Ramsay remained busy in the engine room and was the most prolific Cannon, registering 32 disposals and six clearances, while counterpart Daniel Mott also impressed with 23 and nine.

Seventeen-year-old Jackson Cardillo was the side’s only goal scorer, converting late in the third quarter.

Ben Overman and Giacomo Thomas were defensively sound in the 37-point loss, with Lachy Gollant, Josh Hotchkin and Harrison pair Minton-Connell and Andronaco also named in the best players.

The Oakleigh Chargers awaited in a preliminary final for the winner.

Calder came out with a vengeance but despite showing flashes of potential, Sandringham was able to punish any turnovers with clinical forward 50 entries.

The Dragons subsequently booted the first four goals of the game with 24 points separating the two sides on a damp deck at the first change of ends.

Large chunks of the second quarter were played on the Cannons’ terms, but they were left to rue their missed opportunities when, despite registering three more scoring shots (four sole behinds to one goal), the lead extended to 26 at the main break.

The low-scoring affair continued in the second half as the Dragons continued to stamp their authority.

But not giving up has been a trait that had steered the Cannons to its first semi final since 2014. And when Cardillo steadied through his set shot against the breeze, there was still a glimmer of hope.

The 35-point margin heading into the final stanza was going to be hard to reel in, but Calder’s confidence was sky-high knowing it booted six unanswered goals a week earlier to make it to this stage.

But the yips continued in front of the goal face and deja vu was experienced; more scoring shots – five for the quarter for five behinds as a return – but unfortunately no change of fortune.

Nine NAB League Boys players (Harrison Jones, Daniel Mott, Curtis Brown, Brodie Newman, Sam Ramsay, Jeremy O’Sullivan, Nathan Stewart, Lachlan Gollant and Francis Evans) will now begin preparations for AFL and state draft combines which will be held from October 1.

Cannons stun Stingrays with fourth-quarter blitz

Written by Jarryd Barca

Cannons to face Dragons in semis

Calder has surged it’s way through to this weekend’s semi finals with a late-storming 36-point win over Dandenong on Sunday – it’s first win in a final since 2014.

Trailing by one point at three-quarter time, the Cannons kicked six unanswered goals in the final term to book their date with the highly-fancied Sandringham Dragons this weekend.

The Cannons trailed by as much as 21 points midway through the second quarter at Ikon Park but booted 10 of the last 11 goals to secure the 11.9 (75) to 5.9 (39) elimination final victory.

Perennial ball-winners Daniel Mott and Sam Ramsay flexed their draft credentials with 34 and 35 touches respectively, while counterpart Ned Gentile’s 19 disposals and five tackles played a big part.

Jeremy O’Sullivan’s aerial prowess in the second half was gargantuan, planting his fingerprints all over Calder’s second-half resurgence.

Captain Brodie Newman’s influence was also profound, leading a defence which stood tall in a truly even performance.

Mott, Jackson Cardillo, Josh Eyre and Jake Sutton were the side’s four multiple goal-kickers.

It was the first time all season every player in the side laid at least one tackle – Harry Jones’ eight the most.

Calder got off to a fast start and early lead when Mott calmly converted the first set shot of the day.

But an inaccurate Dandenong, who played fast, direct footy, held the three-point slender advantage at quarter time.

The Stingrays continued to put their foot down in the second quarter and signs were looking ominous when Bigoa Nyuon, William Lewis and Clayton Gay combined with three goals to stretch the margin to 21 points.

But the Cannons soon found their rhythm, with late goals to Jack Keeping and Josh Eyre giving Calder the momentum heading into the main break.

The Stingrays extended their lead to 14 points with a goal in just over a minute of play in the second half, but it proved to be their last major of the day.

Goals to Ramsay and Jackson Cardillo capped off a momentum-shifting term from the Cannons who had plenty of petrol tickets left despite trailing at the last change of ends.

Eyre saw an open goal face early in the last and capitalised to put the Cannons in front for the first time since the opening quarter – and from there it was capitulation.

Five more majors capped off a marvellous 57-point turnaround from the second quarter as the Cannons fended off the Stingrays for the second time in 2019.

Calder will return to Ikon Park this Saturday to take on Sandringham in a semi final, where the winner will face the Oakleigh Chargers in a preliminary final.

Cannons survive wildcard thriller

Written by Jarryd Barca

Come-from-behind win seals Cannons’ finals berth

They did it the hard way, but Calder has secured its position in the NAB League finals with a heart-stopping six-point win over Tasmania during Wildcard Round.

The Cannons suffered an after-the-siren loss against the ladder-leading Ranges last weekend.

But in a change of fortuity, this time they ran over the top of the Devils who were looking to take a scalp and enter the finals proper from 13th position.

Tasmania held a five-point three-quarter time advantage which had Calder staring down the barrel of a second-successive Wildcard Round defeat, having been pipped by the Geelong Falcons in 2018.

And with their season on the line, the desperate Cannons booted the opening three goals of the final quarter to record the 9.9 (63) to 7.15 (57) victory and keep their season alive.

Assistant coach Chris Nolan said he was pleased with the boys’ efforts to rally behind each other and edge past the Devils.

“It probably started in the middle,” he said.

“Hotch (ruckman Josh Hotchkin) was enormous for us today. We got first use, the ball started going forward a bit more consistently than it had all day and we probably made the most of some more opportunities.”

Tasmania continued to threat in the last term and put Cannons defenders under pressure with a 17 inside 50 effort, compared to Calder’s 11.

But many stood tall for their teammates when the going got tough.

“I thought our defence was really good, especially late,” Nolan said.

“Keeps (Jack Keeping) was phenomenal on a wing in the last quarter and admittedly he’d been down to that point, so to keep his head up, stay positive and have an impact says a bit about Jack and how far his footy’s come.

“The skipper was good as always – just read the flight of the ball and him and Cody Brand were both exceptional late in defence.”

No strangers to a nail-biter, the past three Cannons matches have all finished with an accumulative margin of just 14 points.

Their ability to respond when challenged and overcome adversity is a trait the Nolan believes will hold them in good stead this finals series.

“I think there’s a real connection in the group. We seem a lot more united now than we did after say four rounds, we know each other’s strengths and we have a great trust in each other,” he said.

“We’ve got every faith that the group can still go for a few weeks yet, providing they play their best football.”

Sam Ramsay was yet again the most prolific in the engine room, amassing 33 disposals and 11 marks at Highgate Recreation Reserve.

Midfield counterpart Harry Minton-Connell (19 touches) played a pivotal role – with the first two goals of the last quarter both coming off his boot.

But the road blocks for Tasmania were Campbell Edwardes and Lachlan Gollant, who both combined for an impressive – and equally crucial – 19 marks.

Nolan said it was cleaner ball movement moving forward in the final stanza that enabled the Cannons to make the most of their slim opportunities.

“Having only gone inside 50 12 times in a half, a little bit more hand ball receive – which we seemed to get through Simpson and the like, Curtis Brown off half back – was the key,” he said.

“They dictated us a lot with their pressure and tackling in the first half and we really let them off. But we were a lot more cautious with the footy in the second half.

“We were able to get it on our terms at the right times to hold on.”

Calder will take on the eighth-placed Dandenong Stingrays in an elimination final this Sunday at Ikon Park.

The two sides previously met back in Round 13 where the Cannons showed no mercy in a 68-point drubbing at Highgate Recreation Reserve.

Cannons go down after siren

Written by Jarryd Barca

Stolen at the death

The Calder Cannons’ fifth consecutive win was snatched at the jaws of defeat in the final game of the NAB League home-and-away season.

Going into Round 17 with a four-game winning streak, Calder flexed its finals credentials against the top-of-the-table Eastern Ranges – despite losing with the last kick of the game.

The Cannons were five-point leaders at the last change of ends, with that lead extended to 12 when Jeremy O’Sullivan capitalised after 10 minutes.

The Ranges booted two in under a minute to lock the scores at 55 apiece as Avalon Airport Oval was treated to a grandstand finish.

Mason Fletcher was able to edge the home side’s noses in front again with a long-range launch from outside the arch.

The Cannons peppered the inside 50s in the dying stages and had chances to seal the game, but only managed two behinds.

And in heartbreaking circumstances, the Ranges surged the ball forward one last time and locked away a four-point win on the final buzzer.

Assistant coach Brett Gourley was impressed with the players’ ability to take it right up to the minor premiers.

“When you lose any game with a kick after the siren it’s obviously pretty disappointing, but to do what we did against the best team in the competition is a real credit to the boys,” he said.

Calder finished fifth on the ladder following the 9.9 (63) to 10.7 (67) result, winning a total of nine matches for the season.

And they should be taking ample confidence into this week’s Wildcard Round fixture against the Tasmania Devils having registered wins in six of their last seven matches.

“They’ve played some really good footy and we’re starting to gel as a team at the right time of the year,” Gourley said.

“I think it’s a really even competition – anything’s possible and on any day.

“The way this competition works, any team can beat any team.

“We’re really confident heading into this finals campaign and I think the boys should be too.”

Sam Ramsay closed out his home-and-away season with another best-afield 27 touches, seven tackles and five inside 50s.

Midfield counterpart Daniel Mott was also prominent with 21 touches, 10 clearances and six inside 50s, while Jake Sutton (three goals) was the most dangerous of the forwards.

Gourley said the side has come a long way since losing the opening game of the season against Sandringham by 109 points.

“We were having a look at our stats throughout the course of the week to clearly see that this team has improved a hell of a lot,” he said.

“We’re really pleased with our progress – we just have to take that into finals.”

Head coach Ross Smith was as equally proud, optimistic of the Cannons’ ability to compete against the best.

“Eastern’s strength is their clearance numbers, contested ball, tackling and we matched them in all departments,” he told heraldsun.com.au.

“We’re really buoyed by the way we played … we’ve got to learn from the experience, we’ve got to be disappointed but positive and use it to drive us.”

Cannons sneak past Rebels in thriller

Written by Jarryd Barca

We’re very proud of the kids. They were phenomenal.

– Assistant Coach Chris Nolan.

The Calder Cannons find themselves equal-second on the NAB League ladder after scraping past the GWV Rebels in Round 15.

The home side was able to keep the Cannons at arms length for most of the day and even drew the lead out to 23 points nearing stoppage time in the third term.

But in a show of pure resilience, Calder was able to kick five of the last six goals of the match to pip the Rebels and secure its fourth win in a row.

The Rebels recorded 70 more disposals over the four quarters and held the ascendancy in most key areas.

But despite never really controlling the game, Cannons assistant coach Chris Nolan said it was one of their proudest wins of the season.

“We’re very proud of the kids. They were phenomenal,” he said post game.

“It was pretty frustrating to be truthful, it just felt like we were moments away but just couldn’t control the game.

“They were pretty good. Our pressure was good enough, our execution forward of centre probably not.

“We could’ve certainly had things in control a lot earlier but to pull it off with 10 minutes to go – you’ll take it.”

Midfielder Sam Ramsay led from the front in another eye-catching performance, picking up 33 disposals, 12 tackles, seven inside 50s and five clearances in the win.

Ned Gentile was also influential with 21 disposals and five tackles, but it was his ability to step up when it mattered most with three important goals that came to the fore.

Nineteen-year-old Mason Fletcher booted 3.3 and took five marks as the side’s focal point in the forward 50.

But the collective effort of the group to stand tall and not give in despite things not going their way was the overriding factor in the result.

Nolan gave praise to his many standouts.

“Sam Ramsay is going as good as I’ve seen a block of form since I’ve been at the club,” he said.

“To be able to go from an outside running type defender-wingman to what he’s doing on the inside now as a midfielder – win his own ball – has been great.

“Jackson Cardillo has been an outstanding bottom-ager all year, his ability o compete, win his own ball and apply pressure, he was really good.

“Josh Eyre – I wouldn’t say a breakout game but he’s not far away, he was composed, he took some great, really important marks deep and used it by foot beautifully at pressured times.

“Harrison Andronaco as a 15-16 year-old … he was actually a real barometer. Him and Flynn Gentile as kids to do what they did today, they just give an injection of not just enthusiasm but they actually bring a bit of pace that we lack.”

“And ‘Fletch’ – Mason’s had seven shots at goal today, once he works or gets his head around the understanding of the actual forward role as such and the actual work load required like getting up and down and working sideways – there’s a few tricks there within the boy.”

Nolan said the composure shown by the leaders of the group and making the right decisions at the right times – such as winning the ball back at crucial times and knowing when to cause stoppage or restart – was “really important”.

“I think this win will do wonders for their confidence even for what’s left of our season,” he said.

“The emotion when they sung the song and to see the boys united, even with the four or five 15-16 year olds today, the group – they sensed that it was such a hard-fought win and they were spent.

“Just to see the joy it brought them, sometimes you do have to work hard and do it ugly but they actually got a really good reward today and I think when the dust settles they’ll realise the significance of what they’ve achieved.”

The Cannons will lap up another bye week before returning for their final home-and-away match of the season against the Eastern Ranges at Avalon Airport Oval on August 17.

Three in a row for Cannons

The Calder Cannons sit just percentage outside the top four on the NAB League ladder after holding off the Bendigo Pioneers by 20 points on Sunday. 

Both teams lapped up a rare winter’s day with hardly a cloud in sight for the Round 14 contest played at Queen Elizabeth Oval. 

After a goal-for-goal opening quarter Calder enjoyed what proved to be a match-winning 15-minute purple patch when it booted the opening four goals of the second term. 

Jake Sutton’s third major in the last quarter drew the margin out to an unassailable 37 points.

And while the home side booted the final three goals of the contest, the Cannons did enough to earn their eighth win of the season – and fifth in six matches.

“It was a pretty frustrating game where we were quite inconsistent across the four quarters,” Football Operations and Admin Coordinator Matthew Burton said. 

“We played patches of the brand of football that we expect from the boys and we also had some really poor lapses of concentration and effort.

“Credit to Bendigo who kept coming at us and applied pressure all day, really making us work for it.

“Five wins in six matches is a credit to the boys that they’ve been able to find ways to win on a regular basis.” 

Midfielder Harrison Minton-Connell led the field with 34 disposals and two goals, while Sam Ramsay (28 and one) and Ned Gentile (18 and five tackles) were strong support acts on-ball. 

Jake Sutton was an imposing target in the front half and posed several headaches for the Pioneers defence, finishing the game with three goals, 18 possessions, four marks and seven inside 50s. 

Half-back Curtis Brown and tall utility Campbell Edwardes – who showed continued improvement playing up the ground – were also named in the best players. 

“Some of our consistent players once again were standouts for us in Ramsay, Minton-Connell and Gentile who all again were brilliant,” Burton said. 

“Cody brand is a bit of an unsung hero as a 17-year-old down back, he is rarely beaten and one on one he’s terrific.

“Jake Sutton’s last two games have been outstanding. We’ve been wrapped with Jake. 

“It was also exciting to see Harrison Andronaco in his first game do some really nice things as a small forward, we were wrapped with how he went.” 

The Cannons will look to make it four in a row when they travel to Ballarat to take on the GWV Rebels in Round 15.

But the Rebels are coming off a morale-boosting 35-point win over the Geelong Falcons, boding as a great opportunity and another challenge that Burton says the side is looking forward to. 

“We get to go to Ballarat which is a pretty underrated venue, the ground is always in extremely good nick and the facilities are second to none,” he said. 

“They’re coming off a really good win and have got their Vic Country boys back. They’re a side that we cannot take lightly. 

“We need to iron out our deficiencies in the next month before we get to the real pointy end of the season,” Burton added. 

“We can’t afford to have lapses like we did (against Bendigo) or the better sides at the back end of the year will take full advantage of them.

“This week is a game that will provide some real opportunity for boys to stake their claim with some PEGS and Assumption boys unavailable due to AGS finals and we wish them all the best.” 

Red-hot Cannons show Stingrays no mercy

Written by Jarryd Barca

The Calder Cannons head into this week’s Development Weekend with two wins in a row after crushing the Dandenong Stingrays by 68 points in Round 13.

Calder soared to a 45-point lead at half time after booting seven of the first nine goals of the clash at Highgate Recreation Reserve, before showing the Stingrays no mercy in a seven-goal final quarter onslaught. 

The Cannons were coming off a spirited 22-point win over highway rivals Western Jets last week in Futures Round and backed it up with a similar-looking youthful outfit – electing not to play Vic Metro trio Daniel Mott, Harry Jones and Brodie Newman. 

The win sees the Cannons leap frog the Stingrays into 6th spot on the NAB League ladder. 

Midfielder Sam Ramsay was again the most prolific player on the ground finding the ball on 32 occasions, while Jackson Cardillo (27 and a goal) and Ned Gentile (23 and two) continued their season-long form. 

Running defenders Curtis Brown and Max Simpson provided plenty of drive off the half-back line and had critical synergy with teammates ahead of the ball.    

Jake Sutton (17 touches, nine marks and two goals) also played his best game for the club. 

Winning every critical stat on the day including disposals (+85) and marks (+34), Calder’s arial prowess shone above all recording 19 for the entire contest – its most in a single game this season.

Talls Mason Fletcher (four goals and six marks) and Jeremy O’Sullivan (two and five) showed that in spades.

Sam Paea in his second game also provided a strong target up forward.

“We had a real emphasis pre-game on contested ball and our pressure around the football and it was terrific for the boys to respond to Ross and the coaches’ messages around these focus areas needing to improve,” Football Operations and Admin Coordinator Matthew Burton said. 

“We’re still having lapses at the half time break where we seem to take our foot off the gas a little bit, but the way we started the game and then how we responded after three-quarter time to run out the game really strong was some of the best team football we’ve played all year.

“Two wins in a row with a majority of inexperienced players having played over the past two weeks has been fantastic for the group.

“A good problem to have is when selection becomes really difficult with so many players putting their hand up for selection. 

“Our midfielders set the tone on the weekend with Jackson Cardillo playing his best game for the club.

“Sam Ramsay having a change of role this year and becoming more of an inside midfielder has been fantastic.

“Nathan Stewart joining our squad late once the season had started has provided another midfield option for us and has held his own.  

“Once again Ned Gentile gave us four quarters of effort. 

“It’s one of those weeks where we could honestly mention every player that played. Every player contributed on the weekend which was very pleasing.”

The Cannons will enjoy another week off before making the trek down to Queen Elizabeth Oval to take on the Bendigo Pioneers in an attempt for three consecutive wins.

Young Cannons too good for Jets

Written by Jarryd Barca

The Calder Cannons have retained the Shane Sexton McDonald’s Cup after a hard-fought 22-point win over the Western Jets in Round 12 of the NAB League season.

It was a scrappy affair at Highgate Recreation Reserve as no side registered a goal until the second term, with Calder holding on for a retentive 6.7 (43) to 2.9 (21) triumph. 

Despite the inaccuracy which plagued both teams, the home side booted five goals straight in the second half to run away with their sixth win of the season coming off a two-week break.

The ‘futures’ fixture required clubs to select at least 11 players who are currently in their 16th or 17th year, with team line-ups allowed to consist of up to 24 players. 

The Cannons fielded 13 bottom-age players who all showed signs of things to come. 

Sam Ramsay (31 disposals and eight tackles) was a clear standout through the middle of the ground, while fellow top-agers Curtis Brown (29 disposals) and stand-in captain Harrison Minton-Connell (27) were also prolific. 

Giacomo Thomas, Ben Overman, Cody Brand and Josh Hotchkin were the others to be named in the best players.

The Cannons also fielded brothers Ned and Flynn Gentile – the latter one of four debutants to take the field in the rivalry clash.  

The first quarter proved to be an eyesore with both sides registering a total of just seven behinds in gusty conditions. 

It took until the 19-minute mark of the second term before a goal was registered, with debutant Sam Paea snapping truly from the boundary line to break the deadlock. 

Calder’s nine-point half time advantage was short-lived as the Jets found a reply through Eddie Ford early in the third term.

And as it seemed the Cannons would be counting the cost of their missed opportunities early, back-to-back majors to Nathan Stewart and Mason Fletcher meant the margin was back out to 11 points at the final break.

Saad El-Hawli’s goal in just over a minute into the final stanza drew the Jets to within five points of the lead. 

But the hungry Cannons – in a show of resilience – never backed down or dropped their heads.

The Cannons flexed their muscles in the final stages of the contest with both Jackson Cardillo and Fletcher again capitalising on goal-scoring opportunities.

But the final major to 16-year-old Flynn Gentile – a classy finish on his opposite side – meant it was the sweetest of endings for a young Cannons outfit. 

Calder will look to carry the momentum into this Saturday’s contest against the Dandenong Stingrays at Highgate Recreation Reserve.

Cannons win ugly against Knights 

Calder Cannons continue rise up ladder after holding off Northern Knights 

Written by Jarryd Barca 

The Calder Cannons Under 18 boys improved their 2019 record to 5-4 after keeping the Northern Knights at bay on Saturday afternoon.

The Round 9 contest was originally meant for Highgate Recreation Reserve, before a late venue change saw the two sides do battle on a wet Preston City Oval.

The 10.5 (65) to 8.8 (56) result puts Calder seventh on the ladder leading into this week’s match against the highly-fancied Oakleigh Chargers. 

Midfielders Ned Gentile (21 disposals and five inside 50s) and Zach Molloy (20 and seven tackles) were both instrumental in a contested game, while Max Simpson and Curtis Brown created plenty of drive off the half-back flank.

Football Operations Manager Matthew Burton said many players stood up in the absence of Vic Metro trio Brodie Newman, Daniel Mott and Harrison Jones. 

“With our metro and PEGS kids unavailable, it’s given some others an opportunity at the level and it’s a real positive when you play four first-gamers and they’re all able to play their part,” he said.

“At this stage of the year it gives other kids an opportunity to stand up and perform when we have some of our better players absent. 

“The week also provides an opportunity not only for players but with Ross (head coach Ross Smith) with Vic Metro commitments it gives an opportunity for our aspiring assistant coaches to step up and enjoy the pressures of coaching,” he added.

“It was a pretty scrappy game but you always enjoy it when your side wins ugly.”

Both sides exchanged goals in the opening term and it was Cannons tall Jeremy O’Sullivan who took the game by the scruff of the neck early with three first-quarter majors.

With scores locked at 3.1 apiece and in a game where scoring was difficult, it was the Cannons who proved more efficient in the second quarter booting four goals to one to open up what proved to be a match-winning lead. 

A major highlight of the quarter was debutant Josh Eyre slotting a 45-metre snap on the run to finish off a great end-to-end team effort.  

With a 17-point half time lead in Calder’s advantage, the Knights were able to wrestle back control in the third quarter to reduce the deficit to 10 points and ensure a nail-biting finish. 

Simpson and Jackson Cardillo’s final-quarter majors within a minute of each other drew the margin out to 22 points.

But two late goals to the Knights meant the final margin was pegged back to nine points at the final siren. 

The Cannons finished the game with 25 less disposals and three less inside 50s than their opponents despite keeping their winning record in tact with another victory. 

“Even though Northern led many of the stats – they beat us in every KPI we set – we were still able to win the game which was very pleasing,” Burton said. 

“We identified that Northern are a very contested side and they showcased that early on.

“After quarter time we were able to match that through our contested ball and competitiveness. 

“In every game there are always areas we identify we need to work on and we look forward to another great week on the track and having our second crack at Oakleigh for the year.” 

Cannons fall short in big dance

Calder Cannons girls show bravery in grand final heartache

Written by Jarryd Barca 

The Calder Cannons Under 18 girls lost no supporters when they fell 33 points short of the Northern Knights in the 2019 NAB League grand final. 

A large crowd flocked to the Ikon Park stands to watch the first edition of NAB League grand final since the competition underwent a name change from the TAC Cup in previous years.

Calder cruised to the big dance after a massive win against the fancied Geelong Falcons in last week’s preliminary final in Dandenong.  

But that momentum couldn’t continue.  

The undefeated Knights kicked with a slight breeze advantage in the opening quarter and managed to kick three unanswered goals in what proved to be match-winning. 

Despite the Cannons’ brave efforts to neutralise the contest thereafter, they were unable to make the most of their forward opportunities in the 6.3 (39) to 0.6 (6) result.

Cannons Laura Cocomello and Georgia Patrikios embrace after the final siren. Photo by AFL Photos.

“Despite not winning the premiership cup in the end, the girls’ efforts over the course of this season has been worthy of much more than that,” Female Talent Coordinator Russell Humphrey said.

“Just to make the grand final and being a part of the occasion was a fantastic effort, they all played to the best of their abilities and that’s all we could ask of them.

“The better team won on the day.”

Captain Georgia Patrikios was her usual self and worked tirelessly up and down the ground to lead the entire field for total disposals (24) and inside 50s (six). 

Terira Fry (seven disposals and three rebound 50s) tried hard in defence all game, while Georgia Sampson’s improvement over the course of the season continued in another impressive performance in the ruck.

Zoe Hardiman (nine touches and six tackles) and Georgie Prespakis (20 disposals) were also named in the best players.

Calder limited Northern to a solitary goal in each term after quarter time but inaccuracy again plagued the side as they sent the ball forward on countless occasions but to no avail.

“The coaching staff was proud of the way the girls managed to battle out the entire game and never give up – that’s the Cannons way,” Humphrey said.

“We would like to congratulate them on a great achievement this season. To all the girls graduating – you’ve done the whole club proud and all the best with your footballing future.

“We look forward to seeing the bottom-age players continue their improvement.”