Payneham Norwood Union defeats Broadview 47-42 to claim women’s premiership

Payneham Norwood Union has avoided grand final heartbreak for a second straight season to win a famous AdFL division one women’s premiership. Watch the celebrations.

Payneham Norwood Union has snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Broadview to avoid grand final heartbreak for the second consecutive season and win a famous Adelaide Footy League division one women’s premiership.

The top spot Falcons, coached by SA footy legend Garry McIntosh, trailed by two goals at the final break and slowly edged back into the game in the fourth term, with dominant forward Chelsea Packer earning the 7.5 (47) to 6.6 (42) win through a clutch goal.

The star 2024 recruit took a strong mark 30 metres out on the boundary with her side down by a point to the Tigers with just two minutes remaining and calmly went back to slot a brilliant set-shot drop punt.

PNU, who lost to Morphettville Park by a single point in last year’s big dance, then held firm and won the footy out of the middle to run the clock down and send their fans into a frenzy at the final siren.

Payneham Norwood Union celebrates its 2024 AdFL D1 women's premiership. Picture: Filming Footy

Best on ground Makaya Bryant, who was dominant across the park with her ability to win the contested footy and find teammates, said she had no doubt her side could pull off the result.

“We just needed to play our game in the final quarter,” she said after the celebrations.

“We were a bit in our heads but Macca calmed us down and made sure we stayed cool and executed.

“Chelsea was unreal, we knew she wouldn’t miss when she got that chance.”

The Falcons got off to a flyer in the first term with league medallist Abby Klaebe and forwards Chelsea Packer and Letisha Ackland dominating to give their side a 19-1 quarter-time lead, but the Tigers, led by North Adelaide guns Zara Molloy and Ella Metcalfe, would come back quickly.

Payneham Norwood Union star Abby Klaebe was a standout in the grand final. Picture: Ann Marie O'Connor

Broadview held the Falcons to just one major through the next two terms as Abbie Player took over the game up front to boot three and give her side the two-goal three-quarter time lead.

The Falcons showed resilience worthy of premiers however, taking control of the contest in the middle in the fourth term and finishing their work in front of the big sticks when it mattered most.

“It was really even in that first half and the second half was very intense,” Bryant said.

“When Chelsea kicked that goal I knew we were home and it was the best feeling.”