After such a strong season with our Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership team ending as Minor Premiers it was a shock for the girls to be knocked out in the semi-finals. However, this is sometimes how footy plays out and on the day the Wests Tigers were the stronger team. The rain had set in and conditions were not the greatest for the finals series to begin, however Bears were first to get the points on the board with a beauty by experienced player Raecene McGregor, with the conversion waved away. After this it was a long time before we saw the scoreboard light up again in our favour and the Tigers took control of the game particularly with NRLW player Tess Staines running in a trifactor against the Red & Black. The girls put in a valiant effort against a strong opposition and we just couldn’t regroup and hold them out. During the second half, spirits were heated and a scuffle broke out sending both Raecene McGregor from the Bears and Najvada George from the Tigers to the sin bin. A final opportunity arose for the Bears and Jamilee Bright found the team four more points to which Kirra Dibb neatly converted. However, it was too late and the Tigers progress on to the Grand Final and our Bears were knocked out of the 2022 season.

Not the way we had wanted to finish, and a shame the competition ends in a knock out and not the three week final’s series like the men’s comp, but what a season these girls had! We are so proud of all they achieved and the dedication, passion and fun they brought to every game and every training session. The leadership they showed and the welcoming open arms they had for the new Tarsha Gale Cup girls who joined the squad is simply inspiring and shows the great work the Red & Black Foundation is doing in strengthening our female player pathway program. We cannot wait for the Tarsha Gale and HNWP 2023 seasons to begin! Before that good luck to the many Bears players who are now heading into the 2022 NRLW season, more info to come later this week.