Tahlie Gavin
A dominant first-half display followed by a gutsy defensive stand has laid the foundation for Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks to score an 18-12 win over Newcastle Knights in the Grand Final of the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership and secure the club’s first trophy in the competition.
Blending youthful energy and seasoned experience, the Sharks surged out of the blocks, controlling the opening stages and crossing for three tries to one in the first half. Their attacking intent gave them a solid 18-4 lead at half-time, while their second-half grit ensured they held firm under pressure.
Despite being held scoreless after the break, the Sharks resilience in defence in the second half proved to be the difference as they were cheered on from the stands by players from the Shark’s NRLW team.
A gallant Knights mounted a spirited comeback in the second half to close the gap to 18-12, but the Sharks’ line held strong to secure the win.
Captain and Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Player of the Year, Monique Donivan led by example, putting her body on the line in a heroic defensive effort to deny the Knights any late points and secure the trophy.
“It’s amazing yeah,” Donovan said. “The girls have worked really hard and just to get this achievement, it’s just wonderful. I am lost for words really.
“It is amazing honestly, the younger girls have really taken on board with us older girls, you know, with a bit more experience. I’ve been saying we have one job, just to come out and play our hearts out, and I think the whole squad did that today.”
A big play from dummy-half by Sharks hooker Koffi Brookfield saw the Sharks with the first points of the afternoon. The pressure of the Sharks defence saw them regain the ball in their attacking half after a handling error from the Knights. Attacking close to the line, Brookfield produced a dummy pass before burrowing her way over to help set up a 6-0 lead.
]The Sharks confidence grew after producing their second try in four minutes through Donovan. A quick pass from halfback Olivia Herman saw Donovan run a strong line to puncture the Knights defensive line before grounding the ball. Another successful conversion saw the Sharks lead increase to 12-0.
“My focus is mainly to win, but a try in a grand final is also a great thing,” Donovan said.
A strong display by the Sharks forwards brought them into close attacking range again and late inclusion, the experienced Nakia Davis-Welsh, produced an exciting run that frazzled the Knights defence. A quick play the ball followed by some desperate attacking passes to the left saw Sharks centre Dominique du Toit run her way to the unmarked edge to score. Ropata adding the extras, extending the Sharks lead to 18-0.
The Knights eventually found their opportunity to answer back after a massive effort from Ava Glassie to relieve the pressure on her team. Glassie intercepted a Sharks pass before sprinting down field. A kick over to the left wing in open space from half Ashlee Harvey found winger Tyla Brown on the receiving end of a lucky bounce which saw her score to send the Knights into the half-time break trailing 18-4.
The Knights clawed their way back into the contest in the second half with a try to fullback Kayla Henderson. Harvey read the defensive line well as she passed off to her Henderson who did the rest. Harvey was unable to convert but the Knights were back in the game at 18-8.
Both sides traded blows for 20 minutes before the Knights broke the deadlock with a try to Charley Lahmert. A kick across field from Harvey ended up in the arms of centre Lucy Spain who passed quickly inside for Lahmert to step her way to the try line before using her strength to fight her way to ground the ball and give the Knights hope at 18-12.
The Knights scored in the final two minutes but were penalised for a double movement and the Sharks held on to secure the club’s first title.
“The culture in this team, it’s beautiful,” Donovan said. “Everyone is just really genuine and yeah, we just worked together today as a family really.”
