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<\/p>\nInverell turned the tables on the Tamworth Swans to claim the Regional Australia Bank Cup, while Gunnedah overcame a determined home side in the women\u2019s decider during the AFL North West grand finals at Varley Oval on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Gunnedah stays on top of tight women\u2019s contest<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Gunnedah defeated Inverell 6.5 (41) to 2.8 (20) after a fiercely contested opening half developed into a 21-point victory.<\/p>\n
Both teams applied intense pressure from the opening bounce, with congestion around the ball and committed defence making clean forward entries difficult.<\/p>\n
Inverell enjoyed more scoring opportunities during the first quarter but managed only four behinds. The Saints\u2019 defence repeatedly halted Gunnedah\u2019s attempts to move through the corridor, while the Poochettes looked dangerous whenever their running players found space.<\/p>\n
The first goal did not arrive until the second quarter, when Abbey Ruttley put Gunnedah on the board.<\/p>\n
Kayla Sims answered for Inverell, gathering the ball in attack and converting to give the Saints a 1.4 (10) to 1.0 (6) lead.<\/p>\n
Gunnedah regained the advantage late in the term. A series of handballs under heavy pressure created an opportunity near goal, allowing Corinne Wise to finish the move and send the Poochettes into half-time ahead 2.1 (13) to 1.4 (10).<\/p>\n
The teams reached the break by contrasting methods. Inverell used its longer kicking game and strength in contested marking, while Gunnedah relied on speed, movement through the middle and the influence of Arlie Torrens in the ruck.<\/p>\n
Gunnedah began to find more room after half-time. Its midfield running and positioning created repeat attacks, with Chelsea Palmer forcing through an important third-quarter goal.<\/p>\n
Inverell captain Clare McCosker kept the Saints in the contest by finishing a well-worked attacking move. Her goal reduced Gunnedah\u2019s advantage to four points, 3.4 (22) to 2.6 (18), at three-quarter time.<\/p>\n
The Poochettes made the decisive move early in the final term. A behind pushed the margin to five points before Gunnedah captain Laura Ewington found space in attack and kicked a major.<\/p>\n
Gunnedah continued to press as Inverell tired, adding two more goals and limiting the Saints to two behinds for the quarter. The late surge transformed a close contest into a 41\u201320 premiership victory.<\/p>\n
Ruttley finished with three goals for Gunnedah, Wise kicked two and Palmer contributed one. Kayla Sims and Allison Sims were Inverell\u2019s goalkickers.<\/p>\n
Torrens was named best on ground after playing an influential role in Gunnedah\u2019s victory.<\/p>\n
Saints avenge previous grand final defeat<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Inverell secured the Regional Australia Bank Cup with a 12.9 (81) to 8.12 (60) win over the Tamworth Swans, reversing the result of the clubs\u2019 grand final meeting at Varley Oval a year earlier.<\/p>\n
The opening quarter was played at high intensity, with both teams creating periods of momentum but neither able to establish a meaningful break.<\/p>\n
Brady Mather kicked Inverell\u2019s opening goal during an early end-to-end passage. The Swans responded and the sides remained separated by only two points at quarter-time, with the Saints leading 2.4 (16) to 2.2 (14).<\/p>\n
Inverell made its move during the second quarter. Jed Langan struck early in the term before the Saints began taking control through the centre and generating repeated forward entries.<\/p>\n
Tamworth captain Dylan Beasley worked hard to repel the pressure, while Nick Fisher and Rob Stainforth remained prominent for the Swans. Inverell nevertheless continued to build its advantage, with Angus Croft becoming increasingly involved across half-forward.<\/p>\n
Another Saints goal following an extended period of contested play opened the largest margin of the match to that point. Inverell reached half-time leading 5.9 (39) to 2.5 (17), having held Tamworth goalless during the second quarter.<\/p>\n
The Swans increased their attacking pressure after the break, but Inverell\u2019s defence repeatedly found a route out. Ben Myler provided composure and drive from the back half, while Hayden Chappel, Jack Bennett and Mather helped the Saints maintain their advantage through the middle.<\/p>\n
Inverell\u2019s work at centre clearances proved crucial. The Saints regularly won the first possession or prevented Tamworth from making a clean exit, giving their forwards a steady supply of opportunities.<\/p>\n
The home side pushed its advantage beyond five goals before Tamworth produced a determined final-quarter response. The Swans kicked consecutive goals during their strongest period of the second half and cut the margin to 17 points.<\/p>\n
Inverell steadied rather than allowing the comeback to gather further momentum. The Saints slowed the Swans\u2019 movement, protected possession late in the contest and closed out a 21-point victory.<\/p>\n
Chappel led Inverell\u2019s scoring with three goals. Ryan Lewis, Mather and George Lithgow kicked two each, while Langan, Jaidon Tanker and Croft added one apiece.<\/p>\n
Zach Collier booted three goals for Tamworth, with Kaleb Crowhurst and Lachlan Bennetts-Inkster contributing two each. Sam Spokes also kicked a goal.<\/p>\n
Myler received the Graham Nuttall Trophy as best on ground after an outstanding performance in Inverell\u2019s defensive half.<\/p>\n
Teams of the year awarded<\/p>\n
AFL North West also presented its 2026 women\u2019s and men\u2019s teams of the year during the grand final program.<\/p>\n
Women\u2019s Team of the Year<\/p>\n
Backs: Lily Ellis (New England Nomads), Jaimie Pay (Inverell)<\/p>\n
Half-backs: Samantha Schuberth (Tamworth Swans), Laura Ewington (Gunnedah), Lua Roser (Tamworth Swans)<\/p>\n
Centres: Emma James (Tamworth Kangaroos), Anna George (Tamworth Swans), Macey Carlyon (Gunnedah)<\/p>\n
Half-forwards: Carissa Baldwin (Inverell), Katrina Doak (Inverell), Danielle Bishop (Tamworth Kangaroos)<\/p>\n
Forwards: Clare McCosker (Inverell), Abbey Ruttley (Gunnedah)<\/p>\n
Followers: Arlie Torrens (Gunnedah), Audrey Hannaford (Gunnedah), Sarah Drew (Inverell)<\/p>\n
Interchange: Jordan Donnelly (Tamworth Kangaroos), Phoebe Hewetson (New England Nomads), Josette Humble (Tamworth Swans), Jessica Pallot (Tamworth Swans), Zoe Palmer (Gunnedah), Melanie Young (Tamworth Kangaroos)<\/p>\n
Regional Australia Bank Cup Men\u2019s Team of the Year<\/p>\n
Backs: Rob Stainforth (Tamworth Swans), Connor Meyers (Tamworth Kangaroos), Darcy Hill (Gunnedah)<\/p>\n
Half-backs: Hayden Chappel (Inverell), Dylan Beasley (Tamworth Swans), Aidan Barry (New England Nomads)<\/p>\n
Centres: Luke Cameron (Tamworth Kangaroos), Jack Bennett (Inverell), David Richards (New England Nomads)<\/p>\n
Half-forwards: Matthew Hall (Tamworth Kangaroos), Angus Croft (Inverell), Ryan Lewis (Inverell)<\/p>\n
Forwards: Mason Louis (Gunnedah), Lachlan Bennetts-Inkster (Tamworth Swans), Kaleb Crowhurst (Tamworth Swans)<\/p>\n
Followers: Seth Morony (Gunnedah), Nick Fisher (Tamworth Swans), George Lithgow (Inverell)<\/p>\n
Interchange: Josh Angove (Tamworth Swans), Hayden Carter (Tamworth Kangaroos), Brady Mather (Inverell), Keaton Walters (Gunnedah)<\/p>\n
Match vision is available online: Women\u2019s Grand Final<\/a> and Regional Australia Bank Cup Men\u2019s Grand Final<\/a>.<\/p>\n