Inverell turned the tables on the Tamworth Swans to claim the Regional Australia Bank Cup, while Gunnedah overcame a determined home side in the women’s decider during the AFL North West grand finals at Varley Oval on Saturday.
Gunnedah stays on top of tight women’s contest
Gunnedah defeated Inverell 6.5 (41) to 2.8 (20) after a fiercely contested opening half developed into a 21-point victory.
Both teams applied intense pressure from the opening bounce, with congestion around the ball and committed defence making clean forward entries difficult.
Inverell enjoyed more scoring opportunities during the first quarter but managed only four behinds. The Saints’ defence repeatedly halted Gunnedah’s attempts to move through the corridor, while the Poochettes looked dangerous whenever their running players found space.
The first goal did not arrive until the second quarter, when Abbey Ruttley put Gunnedah on the board.
Kayla Sims answered for Inverell, gathering the ball in attack and converting to give the Saints a 1.4 (10) to 1.0 (6) lead.
Gunnedah regained the advantage late in the term. A series of handballs under heavy pressure created an opportunity near goal, allowing Corinne Wise to finish the move and send the Poochettes into half-time ahead 2.1 (13) to 1.4 (10).
The teams reached the break by contrasting methods. Inverell used its longer kicking game and strength in contested marking, while Gunnedah relied on speed, movement through the middle and the influence of Arlie Torrens in the ruck.
Gunnedah began to find more room after half-time. Its midfield running and positioning created repeat attacks, with Chelsea Palmer forcing through an important third-quarter goal.
Inverell captain Clare McCosker kept the Saints in the contest by finishing a well-worked attacking move. Her goal reduced Gunnedah’s advantage to four points, 3.4 (22) to 2.6 (18), at three-quarter time.
The Poochettes made the decisive move early in the final term. A behind pushed the margin to five points before Gunnedah captain Laura Ewington found space in attack and kicked a major.
Gunnedah continued to press as Inverell tired, adding two more goals and limiting the Saints to two behinds for the quarter. The late surge transformed a close contest into a 41–20 premiership victory.
Ruttley finished with three goals for Gunnedah, Wise kicked two and Palmer contributed one. Kayla Sims and Allison Sims were Inverell’s goalkickers.
Torrens was named best on ground after playing an influential role in Gunnedah’s victory.
Saints avenge previous grand final defeat
Inverell secured the Regional Australia Bank Cup with a 12.9 (81) to 8.12 (60) win over the Tamworth Swans, reversing the result of the clubs’ grand final meeting at Varley Oval a year earlier.
The opening quarter was played at high intensity, with both teams creating periods of momentum but neither able to establish a meaningful break.
Brady Mather kicked Inverell’s opening goal during an early end-to-end passage. The Swans responded and the sides remained separated by only two points at quarter-time, with the Saints leading 2.4 (16) to 2.2 (14).
Inverell made its move during the second quarter. Jed Langan struck early in the term before the Saints began taking control through the centre and generating repeated forward entries.
Tamworth captain Dylan Beasley worked hard to repel the pressure, while Nick Fisher and Rob Stainforth remained prominent for the Swans. Inverell nevertheless continued to build its advantage, with Angus Croft becoming increasingly involved across half-forward.
Another Saints goal following an extended period of contested play opened the largest margin of the match to that point. Inverell reached half-time leading 5.9 (39) to 2.5 (17), having held Tamworth goalless during the second quarter.
The Swans increased their attacking pressure after the break, but Inverell’s defence repeatedly found a route out. Ben Myler provided composure and drive from the back half, while Hayden Chappel, Jack Bennett and Mather helped the Saints maintain their advantage through the middle.
Inverell’s work at centre clearances proved crucial. The Saints regularly won the first possession or prevented Tamworth from making a clean exit, giving their forwards a steady supply of opportunities.
The home side pushed its advantage beyond five goals before Tamworth produced a determined final-quarter response. The Swans kicked consecutive goals during their strongest period of the second half and cut the margin to 17 points.
Inverell steadied rather than allowing the comeback to gather further momentum. The Saints slowed the Swans’ movement, protected possession late in the contest and closed out a 21-point victory.
Chappel led Inverell’s scoring with three goals. Ryan Lewis, Mather and George Lithgow kicked two each, while Langan, Jaidon Tanker and Croft added one apiece.
Zach Collier booted three goals for Tamworth, with Kaleb Crowhurst and Lachlan Bennetts-Inkster contributing two each. Sam Spokes also kicked a goal.
Myler received the Graham Nuttall Trophy as best on ground after an outstanding performance in Inverell’s defensive half.
Teams of the year awarded
AFL North West also presented its 2026 women’s and men’s teams of the year during the grand final program.
Women’s Team of the Year
Backs: Lily Ellis (New England Nomads), Jaimie Pay (Inverell)
Half-backs: Samantha Schuberth (Tamworth Swans), Laura Ewington (Gunnedah), Lua Roser (Tamworth Swans)
Centres: Emma James (Tamworth Kangaroos), Anna George (Tamworth Swans), Macey Carlyon (Gunnedah)
Half-forwards: Carissa Baldwin (Inverell), Katrina Doak (Inverell), Danielle Bishop (Tamworth Kangaroos)
Forwards: Clare McCosker (Inverell), Abbey Ruttley (Gunnedah)
Followers: Arlie Torrens (Gunnedah), Audrey Hannaford (Gunnedah), Sarah Drew (Inverell)
Interchange: Jordan Donnelly (Tamworth Kangaroos), Phoebe Hewetson (New England Nomads), Josette Humble (Tamworth Swans), Jessica Pallot (Tamworth Swans), Zoe Palmer (Gunnedah), Melanie Young (Tamworth Kangaroos)
Regional Australia Bank Cup Men’s Team of the Year
Backs: Rob Stainforth (Tamworth Swans), Connor Meyers (Tamworth Kangaroos), Darcy Hill (Gunnedah)
Half-backs: Hayden Chappel (Inverell), Dylan Beasley (Tamworth Swans), Aidan Barry (New England Nomads)
Centres: Luke Cameron (Tamworth Kangaroos), Jack Bennett (Inverell), David Richards (New England Nomads)
Half-forwards: Matthew Hall (Tamworth Kangaroos), Angus Croft (Inverell), Ryan Lewis (Inverell)
Forwards: Mason Louis (Gunnedah), Lachlan Bennetts-Inkster (Tamworth Swans), Kaleb Crowhurst (Tamworth Swans)
Followers: Seth Morony (Gunnedah), Nick Fisher (Tamworth Swans), George Lithgow (Inverell)
Interchange: Josh Angove (Tamworth Swans), Hayden Carter (Tamworth Kangaroos), Brady Mather (Inverell), Keaton Walters (Gunnedah)
Match vision is available online: Women’s Grand Final and Regional Australia Bank Cup Men’s Grand Final.
Something going on in your part of the New England people should know about? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@netimes.com.au