NAB League: Krystal Russell kicks match winner in Western Jets premiership win

A Western Jets star’s first goal of the season turned out to be a premiership winning one as coach Robbie Chancellor opened up on his storytelling ability which helped create history.

Western Jets celebrate their premiership. Photo: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/Getty Images.

Krystal Russell may never have a bigger kick in her life.

The Western Jets ruck kicked her first and only goal of the season to deliver the Western Jets their maiden NAB League premiership with just seconds remaining.

In a thrilling contest at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval on Friday night, the Jets launched a stunning second half comeback against the Dandenong Stingrays to be crowned the competition’s best team in 2022.

The Stingrays looked set to break the game open after kicking 3.5 to nothing in the second term to lead by 22 points at the main break.

Western Jets coach Robbie Chancellor. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

But the Jets, coached by Robbie Chancellor, refused to go away and kicked the game’s final five goals without reply.

Russell’s goal came after Annie Gray’s free kick caused a scramble in the Jets’ goalsquare in the last minute.

Russell, a Vic Metro representative, was cleanest in the congestion to snap truly.

The final siren sparked wild celebrations as hundreds surrounded the Jets in scenes which showed just how exciting the future of women’s footy is.

Chancellor, who said his heart was still racing at the time he spoke to Leader, said he couldn’t have been prouder of Russell’s calmness under pressure.

“She competed all game really well,” she said.

“We thought we could get stoppage dominance with Krystal’s ability in the air.

“She gave us some really good momentum out of the centre square which helped to turn the game. I thought Montana (Ham) stepped up massively in the second half.”

Western Jets players celebrate a goal. Photo: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/Getty Images.

In the rooms at halftime, Chancellor dug into his bag of tricks and went for something to similar to which had already been written before.

“I asked them if they had ever been to the movies. You usually tell them something that relaxes the girls and that they’re interested in,” he said.

“I go well you know in movies when it starts off really good then something bad happens — well something bad has just happened (eluding to his team’s second quarter display).

“I asked how do most movies end, well there’s a happy ending.

“So if we fixed up a couple of things, then I was confident there would be a happy ending.

“The girls brought into it and we got the job done.

“There’s a lot of belief in the group. I asked a lot of the players which is something I don’t usually do because we’re in it together.

“I said to them I need something more. I felt we were getting beaten up around the ball a little bit and we had to be more physical around the ball.

“This group of girls will be remember for a long time.”

This was the Jets’ first premiership. Photo: by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/Getty Images.

Jets captain Charlotte Baskaran was again a standout finishing with 26 disposals while Ham had 18 of her own.

“The skipper’s banged up,” Chancellor said.

“There was never a thought of her not playing. She’s a tough kid and a very good leader.”

Young gun Lou-Lou Field shone on the big stage with 21 disposals while Laura Elliott had some big moments in her game of 20 touches.

Meanwhile, Kristie-Lee Weston — Turner caught the eye with her breakaway speed inside forward 50.

“The most pleasing part of this year, we know we’ve got two or three superstars, but it’s been the improvement of the group as a whole,” he said.

“The win a few weeks ago when all the girls were playing for Vic Metro and we made nine changes, that was a testament of the strength in our group.

“The whole squad has played a role in this premiership. Earlier in the year, we challenged them to lift their training standards which they did.”

Stingrays’ star Amber Clarke was awarded the best on ground medal for her incredible display of 28 touches and two goals.