Norths coach Meg Ward praised her team’s determination after their fairytale season ended with a tough BMD Premiership grand final loss to Mackay Cutters yesterday.
A six-minute burst of three tries from the Cutters in the first half was enough for them to win 16-6 against a Devils team that never stopped trying at Kayo Stadium.
Shauna Barnham’s line break for Montaya Hudson’s try late in the first half raised the hopes of Devils fans who watched their team continue to fight against a strong Mackay team stacked with NRLW-contracted players.
This was a landmark season for the Devils, reaching the decider in the club’s second season in the statewide women’s competition.
The Devils were longshots at the start of an expanded 10-team league after losing some of their most experienced players after their inaugural season and watching captain Grace Griffin suffer a serious knee injury in pre-season training.
But co-captains Jada Ferguson and Netta Nu’uausala drove a forward pack that laid a foundation for an exciting backline that included five-eighth Georgia Hannaway scoring the most tries in the competition.
Ward, in her rookie season as coach, moulded a team of fighters into a genuine force that delivered a semi-final knockout of reigning premiers Burleigh.
The Devils were enterprising and defended with heart across the season.
Their defence was tough for most of yesterday’s match, keeping their line intact for the last 40 minutes of the match.
But they couldn’t reproduce the touches of attacking magic that had caused trouble for opposition teams across the season.
The Cutters foiled a series of dangerous Devils raids that threatened to turn the match.
Ward expressed her pride in a squad that captured the attention of Devils fans.
“We’re disappointed not to win that game but congratulations to Mackay – they were the top team throughout the season and they deserved the premiership,” Ward said.
“Once we get over the disappointment of the grand final we will look back on the season with pride.
“These girls gave their all across the season. They were so proud to play for the Devils and they left nothing out there.
“We’ve got a lot that we can take from this season and come back next year looking to continue to improve.”
Some of the Devils young players shone as the season developed while their more experienced players provided consistency and energy.
Devils CEO Troy Rovelli praised Ward and her squad.
“This was a year of development for our women’s program and the squad performed very well,” Rovelli said.
“It was a steep learning curve in many ways and Meg and her squad were up for the challenge and made the most of it. They were resilient.
“This group played hard for each other and the entire squad contributed – this wasn’t just about the 17 women named for each game.
“It was pleasing to see our younger players developing through our system and we look forward to watching them continue to grow.”
MACKAY CUTTERS 16 (Sareka Mooka, Alisha Foord, Jasmine Peters tries, Kayla Shepherd 2 goals) bt NORTHS DEVILS 6 (Montaya Hudson try, Georgia Hannaway goal) at Kayo Stadium.
