For the first time in GNWFL history, Rovers are on the winners’ list after a superb performance over Mullewa on Saturday secured their best season since joining the league in 2019.
Rovers won a hard-fought match 6.2 (38) to 3.5 (23) to be able to sing the team song for the first time.
Mullewa were also win-less going into the clash but Rovers had two points from their abandoned match with Railways.
But Saints were favourites by virtue of the Demons never having won a competitive match in their history, with their only other points coming from a Towns’ forfeit in 2019.
Mullewa play a physical game with plenty of strong bodies to try and maul the ball forward while the Rovers rely on speed and foot skills and the rare occasions they can win the footy.
The Saints took a one-goal lead after the second quarter, with Martika Baron kicking her first-ever goal.
But the Demons responded with their best-ever quarter, scoring 3.1 to take the lead with Davina Whitney winning the ruck battle and Abby Green providing class out the middle.
For a forward line that’s barely got a look-in this season, the Demons made the most of their opportunities with four goal-kickers as they dared to dream.
Mullewa pulled one back in the third as Aysia Papertalk got her first-ever goal to make it a six-point game.
But the Demons did an excellent job at hiding any nerves if they had them as they kicked two goals straight to Mullewa’s three behinds to secure a 15-point victory, sparkling wild celebrations.
For coach and Rovers Club president Daniel Starling it’s no less than the women deserve.
“It’s bloody awesome; I’m absolutely ecstatic and so are the girls,” he said. “They played so well and it’s a huge moment for the team and the club.’’
The side’s six points already make it Rovers’ most successful season and they will be hopeful the next win will not be a four-year wait.
Elsewhere, the Rams kept the pressure on Brigades at the top with a thrilling 2.9 (21) to 3.1 (19) win against Chapman Valley at Mazzuchelli Oval.
In the second rematch between the grand final opponents, the Rams once again came out on top but left it to the very last moment, with a goal with less than a minute left on the clock.
The Rams had more of the ball throughout the day but were wayward in front of the sticks kicking 1.7, allowing Lucinda Rouse and Deona Crisco, who kicked her first-ever goal, to give the Royals a one-goal lead.
Two more behinds would follow in the final term to cut the margin to under the goal but it looked like the Royals would hold on, with Talah and Maddi Broadhurst and Nell Eastough all doing their best to not let the Rams break free from the contest.
But with around 30 seconds on the clock the Rams finally managed to get a shot away and for only the second time found the big sticks to break the Royals’ hearts to win by two points.
At the Recreation Ground, Brigades maintained their perfect season with a fifth straight win beating Railways 4.11 (35) to 1.3 (9).
Much like the Rams, Brigades were on top for most of the day but kept Railways in the contest with some inaccuracy as the Blues trailed 16-8 at half-time.
But the ball would barely move forward of centre from the Blues from then on as the Hawks were hounding the Railways, with only desperate defending preventing the margin being bigger.
Breanna Hamlett may be the quickest player in the comp threatening all the time with her pace while Jessica Gudice-Nairn was there every time the ball needed to be won.
Emilee Bevan was providing a lot of run-off half-back as the Railways were pinned in their back half.
Railways were pinned in their defensive 50 in the final quarter as the Hawks peppered the goals in a dominant display for a fifth straight win to maintain their spot at the top of the ladder.