A THIRD flag in four seasons officially meant PINT has achieved a dynasty in the NTFL Women’s Premier League competition, defeating St Mary’s in a nail-biting five-point win on Saturday evening. It was fitting that leading goalkicker Steph Lawrence converted the match-winner as the top side all year came out on top over the rugged Saints.

PINT’s triple premiership coach Rick Nolan was in awe of what his side had been able to achieve over the last few years.

“Three premierships in the four years since is pretty special, we wanted a dynasty and we reckon we’ve achieved that from pretty humble beginnings,” Nolan said post-match.

“Saints were pretty tough, they came at us hard late in the third quarter and through the last, but we didn’t help ourselves early in the third when we should have kicked a few more goals.

“The players were able to hang in there and through Steph’s late goal grab the win, which was pretty satisfying.”

AFLW premiership ruck Jasmyn Hewett added another medal to her ever-growing cabinet with a Brenda Williams Medal for best on ground in the match to accompany her league best and fairest this year. She starred through the middle, while Lawrence up forward, and ex-Cat Carly Remmos were also prolific in the win.

PINT lead from the start and opened up a two-goal lead at half-time. However the Saints kicked the next two majors over the final two quarters to hit the front temporarily, only for the Queen Ants to snap back into action and Lawrence to seal the deal.

Up the other end of the field, Kate Atkins played an important role for the Queen Ants, while Erin Hetherington, Reni Hicks and Zoe McWhinney were also named in the premiers’ best on the day. For the Saints, Paula Pavic and Jo Miller were strong in the loss, as was AFLW-experienced pair, Janet Baird and Caitlin Sargent.

St Mary’s coach Ryan Smith said he was immensely proud of what his side had been able to achieve with such a new, young list.

“I don’t know what the average age of this side is, but I think it’s very young, around 21 or 22, and I can’t be any prouder of the way this squad came together,” Smith said.

“We’ve got so many new players who haven’t played together, but they still bonded and did everything I asked and threw at them in terms of playing four quarters of football and the girls gave that right to the end.

“There were moments we had and others we shouldn’t have, but the girls just kept playing through it and I couldn’t be prouder of them and the people they are playing for.

“We talk about legacies in footy and the marks you want to leave behind and although we didn’t win today, I think we’ve left a legacy that will keep this group together and set a new standard next season and into the years beyond.”

PINT 1.1 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 4.3 (27)
ST MARY’S 0.1 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 3.4 (22)

GOALS:
PINT: S. Lawrence 2, J. Hewett, K. Lynch.
St Mary’s: C. Sargent 2, D. Ponter.

BEST:
PINT: J. Hewett, K. Atkins, C. Remmos, S. Lawrence, E. Hetherington
St Mary’s: P. Pavic, J. Miller, J. aird, C. Sargent, D. Ponter