This year’s Group 16 premiers, the Bega Chicks, were unavailable to attend so it was left to the Cooma Fillies and Bombala High-Heelers to take up the challenge.

The team consisted of Bombala High-Heelers Maree Coates, Monique Ingram, Tash Stewart, Jane Peadon, Chloe Hodak and Keiarna Rodwell; and Cooma Fillies Anna Steel, Georgie Clarke, Abby Schofield, Kate Schofield, Meg Bracher, Kristy Nicholls and Erin Donnelly.

Playing in Cooma colours and under the watchful eye of coach Craig Schofield and team manager Susan Morgan, the “Fillies” travelled to Newcastle for a day of tough footy in hot conditions.

Their first game was against the Eugowra Golden Eagles from Central West NSW and the Fillies ran out victors, 18-4.

In the second match of the day, the Fillies took on the Moree Boars, coming off their premiership win in Group 19. It was a tougher contest than their first match, but the Fillies ended the game in front, 14-6.

The win against Moree set up a do-or-die final pool game against the Kootingal Roosters, who also had wins against Eugowra and Moree earlier in the day.

With only the top team from each pool progressing to the semi-finals, it was an essential win for both teams if they wished to progress.

Kootingal were just too good, winning 12-0.

The Fillies can hold their heads high, as they matched the efforts of some of the best teams in NSW.

The Kiama Knights went on to beat the Kincumber Colts in the grand final, 14-0.

On final rankings, the Cooma Fillies side finished the day in fifth place out of 14 teams, which reflects the outstanding quality of football the Group 16 sides have demonstrated this year. 

The players thanked Group 16 and the Cooma Stallions committees for their financial assistance in sending them north, also bus driver/waterboy Terry Schofield, trainer Tony Clarke and Fortitude Physiotherapy’s Fi Harrison for making the journey with the team. 

The event was a fantastic sign of the women’s progress and hopefully an indication things to come in 2016.