GSFLW 2024: Mt Barker mounts spectacular transformation with gutsy maiden premiership win over Albany

The Bulls completed a fairy tale rags to riches story on Friday night, clinching their maiden Great Southern Football League women’s premiership. Entering 2024 with only three wins since their inception in 2020, the Bulls underwent a resurrection under new coach Sheridan Kowald. Building the foundations for a successful side and drawing talent from around the State’s south, the Bulls finally marked a triumphant turnaround. They led for most of the game but Albany — seeking revenge for last year’s grand final defeat — were made to rue two crucial chances late in the piece. But the Bulls, on their home ground Sounness Park, held firm through resolute defence amid a defensive slog-fest in front of a packed crowd, lifting the cup after a thrilling 1.4 (10) to 0.5 (5) triumph. The Bulls won both their games against the Sharks at home this season but were beaten at Retravision Stadium in the qualifying final two weeks ago. But with five minutes to go in the game and leading by one straight kick, the Bulls looked destined to repeat their two mid-season successes and win their first-ever title. However, they had to scrap and bullock their way to victory while the ball was stuck deep in the Sharks’ forward-50 for most of the dying stages. The Bulls breathed a sigh of relief when Sharks’ Stephanie Grant shanked her shot from 20m out before goal sneak Amarlie Weinert failed to convert a tough snap in the dying moments to snatch the lead. When the siren rang, so did the cheers from fans, while car horns echoed across the turf as the Bulls marked a sensational meteoric rise to premiership glory. The Bulls commanded the midfield battle led by superstar ruck Georgia Kowald and Sophie Richards, Kaitlin Eades and Saige Askevold. Kowald was everywhere, in the air and on the ground, providing enormous effort the entire match giving her on-ballers first use at every opportunity and was rightfully named best on ground. Their dominance in the engine room gave them territory control allowing them to set up behind the ball. Gun rebounding defender Kiarni Stevens relentlessly thwarted any dangerous Sharks attack. The match was played largely between the arcs as both teams constantly grappled for authority throughout and were locked at two points apiece at the first change. Bulls’ forward talisman and competition-leading goal-kicker Mikayla Balloch broke the deadlock midway through the second, giving her side an eight-point halftime lead. The Sharks were the better side in the third quarter after slinging the magnets around and giving fresh faces a run in the midfield but were unable to break the Bulls’ resolute defence and were still left wanting six points heading into the final stanza. Sharks skipper Abbi Ballard fought hard for her side all night while Kiahn Perry, Marlee Ashton and Taiah Curtis were also strong competitors.