Dunn scored the first three tries and was a clear stand out as the Wagga side went on to claim their seventh Group Nine title since the game was introduced 11 years ago.

Just like in the past two seasons, Albury were the first team into the grand final but once again couldn’t match it with Brothers on the big stage.

Dunn was thrilled to take a 18-0 win and continue their dominance

“I definitely didn’t think that was going to be the scoreline, but the girls come out firing and we were lucky enough to hold to them for the whole 50 minutes,” Dunn said.

“I’m so proud of the girls, they come out there and gave it everything they’ve got and that is what you have to do in a grand final.” 

Albury had all the ball early in great field position but couldn’t capitalise.

Instead it was Dunn who turned nothing into something special.

Squeezing through the defensive line, Dunn eluded the Thunder defence and went 70 metres to open the scoring after seven minutes.

Coach Craig Stewart thought it turned the game and sent Brothers on the path to another premiership.

“They are two very evenly matched teams and we got lucky with a couple of bounces and Tippy (Dunn) scored that length of the field try,” Stewart said.

“It could have gone either way, they are a quality side Albury and full credit to them, but I’m really happy for my girls.”

Brothers lost Jess Absolum, who named as best in last year’s grand final, to a hamstring injury on the play which opened the scoring but they were able to recover.

Despite Brooke Wiggett missing a penalty goal from in front of the posts, Brothers went into the break with a 10-0 after Dunn scored her second with four minutes left in the half.

This time it was off a lovely pass from sister-in-law Nicole Absolum and the try gave the Wagga side all the momentum heading into the second half.

Brothers gave up a 10-point lead when the teams clashed in the first week of the finals, but there was no repeat of that in the grand final as Dunn completed her hat-trick one minute into the second half.

With four left Ellen McIntyre shimmed her way over the line to seal the win.

Stewart thought Dunn was the difference between the two sides.

She was named a deserved winner of the Leo McCarthy Medal but paid credit to her teammates.

“I was in the right place at the right time and you can’t do it without the girls either side of you who put you in the right spot,” Dunn said.

“That last one was just a lucky bounce I think.”

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