The Flamin Galahs and their merry flock of supporters winged their way to Walgett for the Western Plains Women’s Rugby Grand Final on Saturday 3 September.

The Flamin Galahs were dealt a blow in the week leading up when two of their most experienced players had to withdraw due to prior personal commitments.

The Flamin Galahs took this on the chin and Coach Mills readjusted the game plan and the team was confident of a good showing.

The weather may have been an omen of things to come as the Flamin Galah’s made their way to Walgett. The weather became bleaker and more inclement as the bus approached its destination.

By MERILYN KING, Gulargambone Rugby Club.

The Flamin Galahs got off the team bus to icy cold wet conditions more suitable to the Antarctic then that of Walgett. 

Coach Mills got the ladies warmed up and ready for action.

The first quarter started similar to last week with the Walgett ladies putting a try on the board in the first 30 seconds. In the sixth minute Walgett were over again and the score was 2-0. The ladies got into the match and settled. It was not long after Paige Wilson put the Flamin Galahs on the board with a try. The score at quarter time was 2-1.

The second quarter was a grind with not an inch being given by either team. No tries were scored and at half time the score line remained 2-1.

The change of ends saw the Walgett team make good use of the windy conditions to their backs and kept the Flamin Galahs pinned down in their quarter.

The Flamin Galah’s repelled attack after attack from the Walgett ladies. The Walgett coach had the luxury of eight reserves to the Flamin Galah’s four and the fuel tank for the ladies was starting to get low after a long final’s series. Near the end of the third quarter the Walgett ladies scored and the score at three quarter time was 3-1.

The fourth quarter showed why the Walgett ladies’ team had been the most dominate team this year in the competition.

As fatigue set in for the Flamin Galahs the Walgett ladies put the sword to the throat of the Flamin Galahs. With a series of smart quickplays up the left-hand side the Walgett ladies rolled in four tries to a tiring but resilient Flamin Galahs side. The final score at fulltime was 7-1.

Walgett Rugby Club's victorious ladies team at the 2022 Grand Final. PHOTO: Walgett Rugby Club.

The Walgett ladies thoroughly deserved the win and played a very clever game. The score line was not indicative of the closeness of the match for the majority of the time.

The Flamin Galahs need to hold their heads up high and be proud of what they have achieved this season.

The Flamin Galahs never gave up on Saturday and the referee and officials commended the Flamin Galahs on their effort and sportsmanship shown on the day. The Flamin Galahs of 2022 have become a very close-knit group and their comradery, effort and antics are going to leave memories and stories that will stay with these ladies for a lifetime.

A big thank you goes to Coach Mills and Assistant Coaches Greg King and Gus Patrick for all their hard work this year in steering this wonderful group of ladies. Thank you also goes out to the supporters who travelled over the finals series to support the team.

The Flamin Galahs - proud runners-up. PHOTO Walgett Rugby Club.

This year’s season and success will put the Flamin Galahs in good stead for next season. The ladies will remember that this defeat is nothing but an education and is the first step to something better.

That something better will begin next year when the Flamin Galahs 2023 edition are unleashed.

The grand final team for 2022 was Caitlynn King, Abbie Mills, Katherine Owens, Tahnee Carr, Alex Beveridge, Ellie Peart, Tegan Watt, Makaila Gordon, Paige Wilson, Lauren Henry and Sarah Chandler