Thwarted: Solid tackling wasn’t enough for Army to win a third consecutive Geoff Ledger Cup against a determined Navy. Photo by AB Neil Richards

Volume 11, No. 41, April 20, 2006


ARMY women’s quest for a third successive Geoff Ledger Cup foundered in the face of a determined Navy at Manuka Oval.

Army, which had won the inaugural Australian Services Australian Football Association championship two years ago and retained the title last year, lost a dour encounter 2.2 (14) to 3.3 (21) on April 11.

Both sides endured a scoreless quarter during the game but the third quarter was decisive.

A goal by Smn Katie Cox from a 50m penalty proved pivotal. That equalled the score and lifted Navy to some of the best teamwork of the match which brought a further crucial goal to AB Kim Thomson.

Army enjoyed the edge in the first half of a match played with great courage and spirit but was frustrated too often by the Navy defence which provided the foundation for victory.

“I believe we were not clean below the knees or overhead and turned the ball over far too regularly,” Army coach WO2 Kim Beasland said after the loss.

“Navy capitalised on our skill levels and our girls tried to over-compensate. We were going for a ‘three-peat’ but could not match their physical endeavours.

“Navy plays on confidence and that was certainly up today. They didn’t relent and read our play very well.

“We will feel the pain and remember this next year.”

Army’s Pte Melissa Wiggins found the competition tougher than last year.

“They had the height on us this year and had more talk as a team,” she said.

“They worked tighter and bonded better. It was a good first half but I thought we both picked up after half-time.

“We came out with more aggression but they matched it with us and applied more pressure.”

Navy coach CPO Rohan Jennings said they knew Army would be tough and had done a lot of hard work in the first half towards victory.

“At half-time I told them that if we lifted a notch and were able to redouble the efforts of anything that Army threw at us, then we would get over the line.

“They lifted in the third quarter and held on for a strong win.

“It was two years of pain for a year of gain and about 11 were first-time national Navy players.”

Navy co-captain AB Candice Freeman, at her third titles, said her team knew it would face a physical game and had prepared that way.

“We were a lot more confident than in previous years. We knew we were the underdogs but knew we had a pretty good chance as well,” she said.

“To be behind at half-time and come out and kick the first goal was just amazing – everyone dug deep.
“We have lived the dream.”

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