The Batemans Bay Seahawks' women's side survived a torrid overtime period against the Molonglo Juggernauts to qualify for the 2019 AFL Canberra community women's grand final.
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Eighty minutes of football wasn't enough to separate the sides, but a goal in the second five-minute period of overtime was enough to see the Seahawks escape with a 5.3 (33) to 4.4 (28) victory.
After surviving a tense fight with the ADFA Rams in the minor semi final, the Seahawks travelled to Canberra to take on the Juggernauts in the preliminary final.
The 'Hawks chose to kick with a strong breeze behind their back in the first quarter, but that decision backfired according to coach Mick Alves.
"The plan didn't really work out for us," he said. "We chose to go with the breeze hoping to take a lead into the second quarter, but Molonglo ended up kicking a goal into the breeze.
"We adapted to the changed circumstances, and fought our way back into the game."
Nevertheless, the Seahawks found themselves down a goal with three minute remaining.
"We had to try and scrap a goal into the wind to tie the game, which we did," Alves said. "Molonglo had a couple of opportunities to win the game after that, but we managed to hold them out.
"We restricted them in the first five minutes of OT, then managed to kick a goal in the second with the breeze.
"It was an exciting watch for the fans. The game was really up for grabs, and fortunately we managed to scrape out a win."
Alves said he was proud of the way his side stuck with it in a close contest.
"The girls just hung in there all day, and they continued to fight until the final siren," he said. "The belief they had in themselves and their teammates ultimately got them the win.
"We probably don't have the skill of a lot of the other teams in the competition, but what we lack in those areas we more than make up for in our desire and attitude.
"The girls have realised that if each player plays their role within the team, that will contribute to success."
Alves said the Seahawks preparation would stay the same for next weekend's grand final.
"Our preparation will be the same, but we'll be going in with a vastly different game plan," he said. "We'll be going into the game very much as underdogs, but for us to have any chance, we must play the game on our terms.
"We don't have ANU's skills, but if we can play to our style, we're every chance.
"Grand finals are the definition of a pressure situation, and the girls have handled pressure magnificently all year.
"They're there to compete every week, and that's what's brought us success."