Northern Knights too good for Calder Cannons, claim maiden NAB League girls premiership

Undefeated premiers. It has a good ring to it and that’s exactly what the Northern Knights are after a stellar NAB League Girls season finished with a convincing win over Calder Cannons.

Northern Knights celebrate their premiership win. Picture: Rob Leeson

Northern Knights are celebrating a maiden NAB League Girls premiership.

The Knights finish 2019 undefeated and were a class above at Princes Park on Saturday, defeating Calder Cannons by 33 points.

Pre-game both clubs predicted whoever won the first quarter would claim the crown and so it proved.

The more experienced Knights kicked three goals to nil to take a commanding lead.

Knights coach Marcus Abney-Hastings praised his team’s composure on the big stage.

Northern Knights captain Gabrielle Newton and coach Marcus Abney-Hastings lift the cup.

Northern Knights celebrate their premiership win. Picture: Rob Leeson

Maeve Chaplin and best on ground Jessica Fitzgerald celebrate.

“That was a real focus coming in (a fast start),” he said.

“Our leaders really stood up, led by our marvellous captain.

“It’s been a two-year journey for us and today that’s come to fruition.

“This is fantastic and great reward for the girls but ultimately our goal is to get girls drafted (to AFLW).

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Northern midfielder Jessica Fitzgerald helped set up the win with a blistering first quarter and was rewarded with best on ground honours.

Calder weren’t going to surrender meekly, snatching the momentum in the second quarter.

However, the Cannons couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard, kicking four behinds and several out on the full to enter half-time with a 21-point deficit.

In a tight, tense second half, neither team had total control and only two goals were kicked.

It was the Knights would took their chances, triumphant 6.3 (39) to 0.6 (6).

Calder Cannons captain Georgia Patrikios. Picture: Rob Leeson

Georgie Prespakis in action for Calder Cannons.

St Mary’s junior Fitzgerald, 17, was a standout with her run and carry through midfield, while captain Gabby Newton, Britney Gutknecht and Ellie McKenzie also impressed.

Nell Morris-Dalton kicked three goals while Alyssa Bannan added two.

Cannons skipper Georgia Patrikios and Georgie Prespakis gave their all in defeat.

After tasting grand final defeat last year, Knights captain Gabby Newton said that experienced had fuelled this year’s premiership campaign.

“It’s amazing. Especially after last year, that loss, to bring it home this year,” she said.

Alyssa Bannan kicks Nothern Knights into attack.

Maeve Chaplin, Nell Morris-Dalton and Gabrielle Newton celebrate.

“I think we all knew what to expect, so if we could get on top of them in the first five minutes and keep our cool that we’d be able to shut them down.”

Cannons coach Paul Tilley said the Knights were too good on the day and hoped his team could replicate the Knights next year.

“They’re clearly the best side in it,” he said.

“They set the standard and the standard has gone up considerably from what it was last year.

“We’ve got quite a few young girls who played today and they’ll step up next year and hopefully we’ll be in the spot Northern are.”

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