The Southern Saints’ quest to claim a remarkable 2022 premiership has been halted by a rampant Essendon outfit in the Grand Final.    

After claiming three successive finals victories, a Premiership berth proved one step too far as the Saints succumbed to a four-quarter Bombers blitz, going down by 35 points at ETU Stadium on Sunday afternoon.   

The Bombers, led by captain Georgia Nanscawen and eventual Lisa Hardeman medallist Alana Barba, hit the front to build what would become an unassailable lead en route to a 6.6 (42) to 0.7 (7) maiden Premiership victory.  

Their pressure strangled the Saints’ ball movement and goals to Simone Nalder and Renee Tierney helped fire Essendon into a 14-point lead by the first change. 

Having kicked just four behinds in three quarters despite a pressure-driven second term, a two-goal burst in the shadows of three-quarter time from the Bombers ended up being a bridge too far for the Saints. The Bombers’ momentum continued in the final quarter, with the visitors unable to stop their opponents charge to a 35-point victory.

VFLW MATCH CENTRE: View all news, stats and videos from the 2022 rebel VFLW Grand Final

There was a sour note for the Premiers however, with skipper Nanscawen leaving the field with a knee injury just four minutes into final term.

Hannah Stuart led the team brilliantly in defeat, collecting a match-high 26 disposals. Sarah Black was another who performed admirably, finishing with 34 hit-outs, while Rebecca Neaves managed 18 possessions. 

The Southern Saints sat inside the top-six for most of the season but had to fight their way to the Grand Final from fifth.

Saints captain Deanna Jolliffe said although the team was devastated by the loss, they were hopeful the 2023 season is the year it will pay off.  

“I know we’re all shattered, but I think we’ll use this as fuel for next year, to make sure we go one better.”

SOUTHERN SAINTS  0.0  0.4  0.4  0.7 (7)
ESSENDON  2.2  4.3  6.6  6.6 (42) 

GOALS
Southern Saints: Nil
Essendon: Frew 2, Tierney 2, Doonan, Nalder

BEST
Southern Saints: Stuart, Black, Capsalis, Neaves, Kearns, Ripari
Essendon: Barba, Nanscawen, Ashley-Cooper, Nalder, Frew, Zanchetta, Clifford