Eagles fly high in upset win for flag

As the curtain fell on the 2019 WKFL Women’s season, the Looma Lady Eagles pulled off an upset and soared over minor premiers Cable Beach Greenbacks to take the premiership flag.

In the exciting conclusion to an action-packed season, the best of the best went head-to-head in front of hundreds at Haynes Oval on Saturday.

It was a fairly even start to the match, with both teams determined to kick the first goal of the match and work up an early lead.

However, it seemed with that determination came a scrappy contest with plenty of tackles and spills on the oval.

Although the Greenbacks were hot on their tail in defence, the Lady Eagles managed to break through and boot the opening goal of the match late in the term via Candice Skinner.

Kadjahna Skinner would add another goal to the Looma tally to extend their lead to 12 points, while the Greenbacks were kept scoreless by quarter-time.

The second quarter saw the contest continue its intensity as the Greenbacks fought hard for an early comeback.

After the Lady Eagles managed a behind, Greenbacks’ young gun Lani Pigram broke her team on to the board with a goal.

The Greenbacks began to show signs of hope with majors from Katelynn Parriman and Sanchez Augustine to take the lead. However, Looma fought back late with majors from Zavena Cox and Antonia Pindan to take the lead 4.1 (25) to 3.1 (19) at half-time.

After the main break, the Lady Eagles began to take off with an early goal from Kieesha Rogers.

Although 2018 leading goalkicker Katherine Dann responded for the Greenbacks, two more majors from Antonia Pindan and Lyla Pindan to extended the Lady Eagles’ margin to 19 points at three-quarter-time.

Cable Beach fought hard for a late comeback attempt in the final term in the midst of a scrappy contest.

Despite the ball spending a lot of time in the Greenbacks’ forward 50, they could only produce two behinds.

Although the Lady Eagles were kept scoreless for the final term, players, coaches and supporters alike jumped for joy as the final siren sounded as the Lady Eagles won the premiership 7.2 (44) to 4.3 (27).

Looma Lady Eagles coach Mark Skinner gave a rousing speech to end their season, congratulating the Greenbacks for their season efforts and thanking all that supported the Lady Eagles in 2019, expressing pride for his community and “his girls”.

Kate Ditchburn of the Looma Lady Eagles was named best on ground for her consistent efforts in the ruck and thanked her teammates and coaches for their extended support.