RWE Goes Back-to-Back in Womens Grade Finals

Women’s Grade Final: RWE vs Rebels

The Women’s Grade Final delivered everything you could hope for and more, as RWE and Rebels met once again in a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s championship decider. With both teams stacked with talent, experience, and finals pedigree, the stage was set for a classic—and it did not disappoint. In front of a strong crowd, the game unfolded as one of the highest-quality Women’s Grade contests seen in recent years.

A Fast Start and Early Momentum Swings

Rebels wasted no time making their intentions clear, coming out with pace and confidence to jump to an early lead. Their ball movement and aggressive attacking mindset put RWE on the back foot early, forcing RWE to settle quickly. As the opening quarter progressed, RWE found their rhythm, tightening up defensively and capitalising on transition opportunities. By the end of the first quarter, RWE had edged ahead 13–11, setting the tone for a closely fought battle.

Tactical Battle Before Halftime

The second quarter saw Rebels respond with composure and discipline. Implementing a box-and-one defence on this season’s MVP, Jorja Abernethy, Rebels disrupted RWE’s usual offensive flow and forced the ball into different hands. The strategy proved effective, keeping the contest tight and forcing both teams to work hard for every possession.

At the offensive end, Rebels continued to attack with purpose, while RWE relied on their depth and ball movement to stay within reach. At halftime, Rebels had reclaimed a narrow advantage, heading into the break with a 28–26 lead, and all the momentum still up for grabs.

Rebels Take Control in the Third

Carrying their defensive intensity into the third quarter, Rebels began to assert control. Strong execution at both ends of the floor saw them extend their lead to 42–36, with timely scoring and disciplined defence allowing them to dictate the tempo.

For RWE, it was Tia Double (Year 11) and Mackenzie Goodfellow (Year 10) who stood tall under pressure. Remarkably, the duo combined to score all of RWE’s points in the third quarter, showing maturity beyond their years. Against a more experienced Rebels lineup, both players showed composure, toughness, and confidence, keeping RWE within striking distance heading into the final period.

Championship Composure in the Final Quarter

As the fourth quarter unfolded, Rebels continued to hold the lead, looking increasingly confident as the clock ticked down. However, championship teams find another gear—and RWE did exactly that when it mattered most.

A massive late surge from RWE flipped the game on its head. Lifting their defensive pressure and pushing the pace offensively, RWE went on a decisive run, outscoring Rebels 25–13 in the final quarter. Despite Jorja Abernethy being well defended throughout the game, RWE’s depth stepped up in crucial moments, with multiple players making big plays down the stretch.

As the pressure mounted, Kate Cochrane played a crucial role in shifting the momentum. With Jorja Abernethy closely marked, Kate stepped up with confidence, using her ability to drive and kick to break down the defence. Her penetration created multiple easy scoring opportunities in the paint, allowing RWE to capitalise when it mattered most and keep the scoreboard ticking over.

When the final buzzer sounded, RWE had completed an incredible comeback to secure a 61–56 victory, earning back-to-back Women’s Grade championships in dramatic fashion.

Finals MVP: Tia Double

In a game full of standout performances, Tia Double rose to the occasion when it counted most. Finishing with 15 points, including two clutch three-pointers, Tia’s impact at both ends of the court earned her the Finals MVP honour.

RWE Scorers

• Mackenzie Goodfellow – 21 points

• Yasmin Larry – 15 points

• Tia Double – 15 points

Rebels Scorers

• Libby Mason – 19 points (including two three-pointers and five free throws, several from and-one plays)

• Olivia Hutchison – 13 points

• Georgina Kelly – 9 points (including one three-pointer)

Both teams should be immensely proud of their performances, producing a final that showcased the quality, competitiveness, and excitement of Women’s Grade basketball. Congratulations to RWE on a well-earned championship, and credit to Rebels for pushing the contest to the very end in a memorable season finale.