AFTER a week off, the TAC Cup Girls returned to competition with some exciting results, while there were plenty of upsets and emotions attached to the AFLW final round. Here are five moments which made the weekend memorable.

Gippsland Power Girls recording their first win

Very few things are more special than the photos following a drought-breaking win. For Gippsland Power, their win over the Western Jets on the weekend was the first in the TAC Cup Girls competition in the seven games they had played over two seasons. While development is the ultimate goal of the league, everyone enjoys the satisfaction of winning and the relief and pure elation on their faces afterwards was fantastic. It was also reward for effort for the players, coaching staff and families who spend hours on end every week travelling to-and-from training and games, as well as other commitments involved with an elite level junior football program.

Brisbane Lions AFLW side celebrating after reaching the grand final

The news you have reached a grand final is always exciting and for the Brisbane Lions AFLW side, they had one of the hardest roads to reach the grand final heading into the final round. They needed to knock off the third-placed Giants, have the Western Bulldogs defeat Melbourne, and the most unlikely of all scenarios – Collingwood defeat reigning premiers Adelaide. When the first two results went their way, the Lions tuned in nervously as the Crows were ahead at half-time. But what they witnessed in the second half was a black and white swarm, as the Magpies ran over the top of the Crows, helping book the Lions’ place in the big dance. The video circulating the Internet of the players celebrating after the final siren is raw emotion at its best.

Brooke Lochland’s match-winning goal

They needed to win to guarantee a grand final berth, and with 90 seconds remaining, the Western Bulldogs trailed Melbourne. The ball was deep in the Dogs forward line and they needed a hero. It was fitting that their leading goal kicker, Brooke Lochland, was the hero, pouncing on a loose ball and snapping truly to send the Bulldogs into the grand final. They will head to Ikon Park next Saturday to face the Lions and compete for the second AFLW premiership cup.

Oakleigh’s depth on show

On the weekend Oakleigh took on Sandringham in a scratch match and while both sides showed off some serious top-end talent, it was the Chargers’ depth that stood out to our scouts. After a few years without a flag, the Chargers are expected to again be near the top – as they were last year – and with plenty of bottom-age talent as well as top-age prospects, they will be a team to watch this season.

TAC Cup Girls sides shaping up

Two rounds in and both teams and players in the TAC Cup Girls competition are starting to shape up and standout. There are four undefeated sides remaining – Murray Bushrangers, Eastern Ranges, Northern Knights and Geelong Falcons, who are already setting the bar high for the rest of the competition. Some sides have come close and shown signs and it will be interesting to see how the teams down the bottom of the ladder progress throughout the season.