Despite an incredible past two seasons, the Sandgate Hawks Division 1 Women’s team has fallen just short in the grand final for the second year in a row.
The team rallied after last year’s grand final loss, determined to win it all, but narrowly lost to the Broadbeach Cats by five points, the final score being 4.5.29 to 3.6.24.
Despite launching a massive comeback in the third quarter to draw the game to within a goal, time was not on their side.
The game started off rough for the Hawks, finding themselves down by 13 points late in the third quarter before an impressive last term that saw them come within a kick of winning it all.
In the last two minutes, the Hawks had multiple shots at the goal, with all of them being stopped by the unrelenting pressure of the Cats.
Team captain Grace Eden said the tight-knit nature of the team was what kept them together through the rough patches of the last two seasons.
“When we are down on the scoreboard, we have that drive to keep fighting for our teammates,” Grace said.
“I think the strength and belief we’ve built as a team has gotten us through to where we are now.”
Grace compared this season to last year, where they went undefeated until the grand final, and said their mentality had changed.
“In the 2024 season, we went through undefeated, we were the hunted and the team to beat, it built up a lot of expectations on the girls to win another game,” she said.
“We’ve really had to earn our spot in the grand final this year and show that we want it more.”
A Look to the Future
Despite the unfortunate loss, head coach Ben Long expressed his pride in his team throughout the season in his post-game speech.
“To the players most of all, keep your heads up,” he said, after thanking the Sandgate supporters.
“I’m forever proud of each and every one of you.
“As a coach, I couldn’t ask for a better bunch.”
The Hawks finished second on the ladder this year, losing only four games through the season.
Their attempt at making history as the first Hawks women’s premiers may have slipped through their fingers, but there’s no doubt they’ll be back next year.
Read more stories from the Sandgate Guide print magazine here:
- Bramble Buzz: Updates from the Community
- Podcast Review: The Big Pitch with Jimmy Carr
- It’s Not Selfish to Ask…
- Is Your Data Safe? How to Check if You’ve Been Caught in a Breach
- What’s On This Spooky Season
- Barred Javelin fish (Grunter) – Pomadasys kaakan
- Organic Gardening in October
- Jacaranda Festival Branches Out with Two-Day Bloom
- Celebrating 25 Years of Karate at JKA Brighton
- Geebung’s Favourite Street Party Celebrates All Things Local
- Spook-tacular Halloween Disco Party
- A Town of Its Own: Sandgate Before 1925
- Grab Your Lederhosen – Oktoberfest Is Coming To Mr Henderson
- Pork Casserole
- Rock Under the Clock Rolls Into New Venue
- Roof Restoration Works to Close Sandgate Library Temporarily
- Follow the Trail for Great Art
- Feeling Seen as a Parent
- Big Ideas for Small Business
- Local Student To Star In Channel 9’s TheatreDome
- Tricks, Treats & Sweet Stories: Sandgate’s Halloween Lollies
- Seaside Dining Under the Stars
- Join the Walk for Prems and Make a Mighty Impact
- Show Your Appreciation This World Teachers’ Day
