Waratah player-coach Lisa Roberts says it only took one call from Arnhem Crows coach Colleen Gwynne to play in the BRFL. She’s helped the team to a grand final

ONE phone call was all it took to convince Waratah player-coach Lisa Roberts to play for Arnhem Crows. She’s now delighted she made that decision – her team is into the women’s 2020 BRFL Grand Final in its first year as a senior female outfit.

Arnhem Crows players celebrate making the 2020 Women’s Big Rivers Football League Grand Final. Picture: FACEBOOK

ALL it took was a phone call from her good friend and coach Colleen Gwynne asking her to play for Arnhem Crows in this year’s women’s Big Rivers Football League competition, and star Waratah player-coach Lisa Roberts was an instant signing.

She is delighted she made that decision.

That is because her Crows team qualified for the grand final – to be played next Saturday – with a big 8.17 (65) to 0.3 (3) win over Katherine South in the major semi-final.

It was a fairytale result because this is Arnhem’s first year as a senior women’s outfit in the BRFL.

And it is believed the Crows are the first female remote community team in an urban Australian rules competition nationwide.

“Me and Colleen are good mates (both combined to win five consecutive NTFL premierships with Waratah between 2011 and 2016). She gave me a call and asked me if I wanted to play in the Katherine league,” Roberts told the NT News.

“She roped me into it with her coaching the team.

“We take the four-hour drive down together, get out of the car and start our prep and warm-up soon afterwards.”

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Roberts said a renowned spray from Gwynne – which she has done many times to fire up her players at Waratah – did the trick against Souths.

“We made it tougher than necessary for ourselves early on, and Colleen gave us one of her emotional rev-ups at quarter-time,” Roberts said.

“We needed it, and in the second quarter it was like we were a new team.”

Roberts said the experience of playing in front of passionate Crows fans at Katherine Showground in the major semi-final last Saturday was one she would never forget.

“We had so much support – they were all going off and wearing their Crows shirts,” Roberts said.

Arnhem Crows coach Colleen Gwynne fires up her players during a quarter break. Picture: FACEBOOK

There were a number of players who impressed and helped the Crows make history.

“Ashanti Bush was a standout with her run and carry, and tackle pressure,” Roberts.

“She’s one to watch in the NTFL (for Darwin Buffettes).

“Shekeine De Satge has a great ability to read the play, and her skill set is amazing.

“And Huia (Haerewa) provides a great voice for us as the captain, with her ability to bring all the girls together.”

Despite also finishing minor premiers, Roberts said there will be some nerves heading into the September 26 grand final.

“I think we’ll be more excited than confident,” she said.

“Grand finals are different to normal games, so we’ll try to harness that nervous energy.”

Meanwhile, Waratah bolstered its roster for the upcoming 2020-21 NTFL season by signing Williamstown VFL representatives, midfielder Eliza Straford and Danica Pedersen.

Pedersen made the 2019 VFLW Team of the Year, and is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the competition.

“We’re excited to have them on board and we’ll try to help them get some work up here,” Roberts said.

Roberts said a recent training camp at Batchelor was embraced by Warriors players, with the proud team eager to win back the NTFL premiership flag which it lost to Southern Districts in the 2019-20 Grand Final.

Activities included a mountain bike ride, rock climbing and crate stacking.

“It was a really positive camp and the girls went hard at it,” Roberts said.