Watch: North Hobart v Kingborough, Claremont v Hutchins, SFL Women’s grand finals

A goal in the final minute has delivered North Hobart a stunning premiership three-peat and left Kingborough devastated after appearing all but home. Full Division 1&2 REPLAYS.

North Hobart have made it three consecutive flags with a remarkable come-from-behind victory against favourites Kingborough in a heart-stopping SFL Women’s Division 1 decider.

North Hobart appeared out of the contest at halftime when they trailed by 20 points, but a spirited fightback in the third quarter gave them belief.

Key Tigers forward Georgie Bailey kicked four goals in the first half as Kingborough set up what appeared an unassailable lead.

But Bailey went kickless in the second half as the Demons clawed their way back into the contest.

Emotional skipper Chelsea Thomas admitted afterwards that Kingborough had had their measure all year, but was so proud of her players as they refused to wilt on the biggest stage.

REPLAYS

Kingborough v North Hobart (Div 1)

Full replay in the window above.

Claremont v Hutchins (Div 2)

Back-to-back grand final defeats against the Demons for the Tigers, including last year’s 10-point loss, are sure to cut deep.

Particularly when the Tigers appeared the stronger of the two teams for most of Sunday afternoon.

Earlier, reigning premiers Claremont proved too strong for Hutchins in the Division 2 grand final.

The Magpies held a slender three-point lead at halftime and stretched that out to 11 points at the final siren, though the margin probably deserved to be bigger.

PREVIEW

History will be on offer for both North Hobart and Claremont in the 2024 SFLW grand finals and while one will go in as overriding favourite and the other as slight underdogs, both teams are no strangers to the ultimate success.

The Demons and the Magpies will feature in the Division 1 and 2 grand finals on Sunday with North set to face Kingborough in a rematch of last year’s decider, while reigning premiers Claremont will meet Hutchins.

Both grand finals will be streamed on KommunityTV on Sunday, with the delayed broadcast tipping off at 11.45am.

After winning the past two division 1 flags, North will be gunning for a third-straight premiership but will head in as underdogs on Sunday – an unfamiliar position for the competition powerhouse.

Finishing second on the ladder, the Demons (9-5) were bested by the Tigers (13-1) across the course of the season after defeating them by 10 points in last year’s decider.

But with proven form in the biggest game of the year, skipper Chelsea Thomas is confident they can create history and secure the rare three-peat.

“It feels different heading in this year but I think it might be better for us,” she said.

“To go in and have that win against Clarence (last week) was a chance to get our heads right and be ready for this game.

SFLW players Kingborough Tigers Hailee Baldwin and Chelsea Thomas of North Hobart ahead of the division one grand finals. Picture: Linda Higginson

“It would be very special to win a third in a row so it’s a big opportunity and a bit of history to be made if we do win.”

After experiencing the pain of defeat last year, Tigers captain Hailee Baldwin admits there’s a sense of redemption heading into their second grand final appearance.

“The playing group is super excited this year,” Baldwin said.

“Unfortunately we didn’t finish it off (last year) but this year I think we’re in a really good mindset. We’ve come together really nicely and I think we can hopefully finish it off on Sunday.

“It definitely has that element of redemption in there to prove to ourselves, prove to everyone really, that we can play excellent football. We just have to go in with a fresh mindset.”

While the division 1 decider looks like anyone’s game, the clash between Claremont and Hutchins looks like the Magpies game to lose.

The 2023 premiers have been untouchable this season, going through the regular season undefeated before easily taking care of New Norfolk to advance to Saturday’s grand final.

SFLW players, Kelli Smith from Claremont and Molly Garrett from Hutchins at North Hobart Oval prior to the division two grand final on Sunday. Picture: Linda Higginson

They secured a 20-point win over the Lioness back in round 3 in their only meeting this season and while Claremont captain Kelli Smith knows the pressure gauge is on her side, she is hoping a number of fresh faces will be able to keep them focused on a win.

“Absolutely there’s pressure,” she said.

“I’ve just been really trying to get around the girls and hype them up. We’ve got some that have been here before and others that have never played in a grand final. So it’s really been about enjoying the moment and not focusing on that (perceived external pressure).”

For Hutchins, co-captain Molly Garrett admitted they had both nothing and everything to lose after falling in a preliminary final last season.

“We have all worked so hard this year to get here after being knocked out last year,” Garrett said.

“I think we just want to really prove to the SFLW, and to women’s footy in general, that you can be a fairly new team and learn and build really quickly.”

Originally published as Watch: North Hobart v Kingborough, Claremont v Hutchins, SFL Women’s grand finals