Aggies book in first women's grand final berth

For the first time in the club's history Aggies will play for the premiership at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.

Standing in their way is the only team to beat them all season - CSU.

The Reddies are yet to taste defeat this season, including a 39-20 win over Ag College in the first week of finals.

However Ag College pushed them early and have more confidence coming off a 41-7 win over Waratahs in the preliminary final at Leeton No.1 Oval on Saturday.

Coach Elliot Barrett is thrilled to have gotten so far and is hoping for one final big performance.

"Everyone in the club has been really supportive of the girls and are just that excited for them to make it here," Barrett said.

"We've really been building each week and I've found it really impressive as a lot of them are travelling from out of town just to make it training.

"It has been quite a taxing season for them so hopefully we can keep building into this weekend."

Ag College already showed big improvement from their first loss to CSU, when they were trashed 49-5 at Jarrah Oval in round six.

Last year the Ag College's first grade and second grade teams qualified for decider, losing both to Waratahs, but did not field teams this season due to the impact of COVID-19.

With only the women's left team to represent them, Ag College will once again be a force on grand final day.

After failing to make finals last year, Barrett has been impressed with how the team has come together after bringing in some new faces for Griffith and Tumut, who don't have teams in the competition this season.

"It is really a credit to the girls as people," Barrett said.

"The togetherness they have shown throughout the year is really exciting to see and it's exciting for women's rugby throughout the region."

It was some of the Griffith talent, who won last year's grand final, who stood tall at Leeton.

Amelia Lolotonga scored a hat-trick in the win, Sagoifale Tufue snared a double while Krystelle de Meyer also scored.

Shannon Taylor scored the team's other try in the comprehensive win.

Their experience will be a big boost on grand final day up against the 2018 premiers.

However in a big blow Ag College will be without Lolotonga for the decider.

Barrett is still confident they can rise to the occasion.

"Amelia has her sister's wedding so it is unfortunate for her but she is still very much a part of the team," he said.

"On the weekend we had the opportunity to trial what we are planning to do so that was positive."

Barrett believes containing the influence of CSU's strike weapons in Tess Staines and Ellen McIntyre will be one of the biggest keys.

"It is what we're focused on this week plus just enjoying the experience," he said.

"Hopefully we can do that and put in a good performance."

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