Tolland needed a late equaliser to force extra time, but completed their undefeated season in a thrilling Leonard Cup grand final on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Junee looked to have caused a boilover when they went 2-1 up in the 75th minute.
However Christina Gauer-Krompos scored two minutes out from full-time to force an extra 30 minutes.
Then captain Bernadette Blake delivered a screamer 11 minutes in to the first perioid of extra time to hand her team a 3-2 lead.
It was enough to claim the title and helped Blake to take out best on ground honours.
Coach Annette Parkinson was thrilled by the fighting spirit of the team.
“The girls found a way,” Parkinson said.
“I think the hunger to win certainly came through.”
The goalkeeper thought the premiership success was just desserts for a big year.
“It is a fitting end to the girl’s season,” Parkinson said.
“They have had a fantastic season and to go through undefeated is just an unbelievable effort.”
Tolland got off to the perfect start when Tegan Boden curled the ball in from a free kick from 30 out to score in the fifth minute.
From there the two teams got into the grind, but the Wolverines always looked the more dangerous.
After 31 minutes Junee goalkeeper Smart kept her team within one goal when a strong save off a good chance from Lizzie Read.
Blake then hit the crossbar 12 minutes before half-time, but try as they might Tolland couldn’t break the Jaguars defend again in the first half.
They had plenty of good opportunities to score but either Smart, who was excellent in goal despite picking up an ankle injury in the Madden Shield grand final, was a thorn in their side or the final touch was found wanting.
Six minutes into the second half, the game changed complexion.
Tollan’s Katrina Crock took down Keely Hancock in the square and a penalty was awarded.
However Hancock took exception to the treatment and after a bit of push and shove both are handed red cards.
In the aftermath Ashleigh Goode converted from the spot to level things after 53 minutes.
Junee then went ahead in the 75th minute after a lovely finish from Marissa Ward following intercept in defence and nice through ball from Stephanie Puttock.
The Jaguars were looking good before Gauer-Kompos pounced on a blunder by Smart to level things with two minutes remaining.
Locked at 2-all, the teams went into extra-time before Blake’s strike from 30 out broke Junee hearts.
Junee had a couple of dangerous late crosses, including with the final kick of the game, but the Wolverines recovered to take the premiership.