Riverina Lions defend title with five-point win

Jackson kicked all her team's goal as they defended their AFL Canberra regional women's crown in a thriller on Saturday.

After winning the league's best and fairest, as well as the goalkicking award, Jackson moved back forward as the Lions reversed their semi-final result to take a 3.3 (21) to 2.4 (16) victory over Queanbeyan Tigers.

Coach Jed Lawton was thrilled with the performance.

"It was close all game, and not much scoring in it, but it was a real tough effort," Lawton said.

"It was a good reward for the effort they put in."

The Lions took an early advantage as Jackson booted the only goal of the quarter.

However their five-point advantage soon evaporated as the Tigers kicked two goals to one in the second term to lead by a point at the main break.

Riverina edged back in front to lead by a point at three-quarter time as both sides went goalless.

Jackson edged their buffer with an early goal before the Tigers got within striking distance with two behinds.

Looking to defend their five-point lead, a mark from with seconds left on the clock was just enough for the Lions to go back-to-back.

Lawton admitted there were some anxious moments on the sidelines as the Tigers pushed hard for a much-needed goal late in the game.

"It was going from end to end for the last five minutes and when the siren went they had it down their end," he said.

"They received a free kick, kicked it in and Hannah McGinty marked it with about six or seven seconds to go,

"It was a game-saver really."

Jackson was among the team's best while Eliza Oates and Alison Naismith were also big contributors to the five-point win.

The Lions had a big turnover of players last year making their achievement to go back-to-back even more special.

Meanwhile Cootamundra suffered their first loss of the season to go down 6.10 (46) to 4.14 (38) to Belconnen in the regional men's grand final.

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