Junee reaches first women's grand final after captain's crucial tackle
Junee reached its first women's grand final when captain Haileigh Neaves-Hampton forced a crucial final-minute error.
Junee has reached its first women's grand final in the Group Nine tackle competition. Captain Haileigh Neaves-Hampton produced a crunching tackle in the last minute as Southcity pushed for a late comeback.
The hit forced Melitta Merritt to spill the ball just metres from the line, sealing the win. Neaves-Hampton said the tackle hurt but proved worth it.
Junee never trailed in the match but Southcity fought back hard, with tries to Emily Edson, Hannah Rankin and Liley Marshall-Inman keeping them in contention. For Junee, the win adds redemption after losing to eventual premiers Young in the same round last year.
- Haileigh Neaves-Hampton
- Captain
- Junee
- Team
- Group Nine women's tackle
- Competition
- First women's grand final
- Milestone
Why it mattersA team's first grand final is a milestone moment; for Junee's women, it marks the success of a young programme.
AustraliaJunee will now compete in the Group Nine women's grand final, a regional NSW rugby league competition.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 11 d ago
