SEMI-FINAL SHOWDOWN: Junee women storm into first-ever Group 9 finals

JUNEE is riding a wave of hometown pride as its women’s tackle team charges into the inaugural Group 9 major semi-final, following a stellar season that has cemented their place among the region’s best.

Fresh from a thrilling 14–12 victory over the Southcity Bulls in Sunday’s qualifying final at Anzac Park, the Junee Diesels are now set to face Estella Storm in a blockbuster showdown in Wagga this weekend — and with a grand final spot on the line, excitement is at fever pitch.

This year’s finals series is particularly historic, being the first time that the Group 9 Women’s Tackle competition has introduced a structured finals format, after launching in 2024 with no official ladder or championship decider.

A GROUNDBREAKING SEASON

Seven clubs entered this year’s expanded competition — Junee, Southcity, Young, Gundagai, Tumut, Temora and Estella — with the Diesels quickly emerging as one of the teams to beat.

From the opening whistle, the Junee women have been a force to be reckoned with, notching nine wins from 11 games, including an unbeaten run at home and a commanding 10-round streak without loss.

Their only defeats came against Estella and Young late in the draw, but not before making a statement in Round 2 with a 20–10 win over Estella.

Sunday’s qualifying final saw Junee once again hold their nerve under pressure, sealing a gritty win over Southcity to punch their ticket to the major semi.

FIELD & FOLEY ON FIRE

Key to Junee’s charge are dynamic duo Abbey Field and Abby Foley, who are dominating the comp’s scoring stats.

Field has crossed the line 15 times this season — the most of any player in the competition — while Foley leads the points tally with 78, just ahead of Estella’s attacking weapons Holly Williams and Milly Lucas.

Estella may be the side to beat with nine wins from 10 starts, but Junee has already shown they know how to get the job done.

Abby Foley leads the comp’s points tally with 78 | Photo: Junee Diesels

Abbey Field leads the way as the season’s top try scorer, crossing the line 15 times | Photo: Junee Diesels

THE ROAD TO GLORY

This Sunday’s showdown in Wagga shapes as one of the biggest games in Junee’s history, with the winner earning a direct ticket to the 2025 Reece Group Premiership Grand Final on Sunday, September 21.

With blue and yellow balloons springing up across shopfronts and homes over the weekend, locals are showing their support loud and proud.

But it’s not just about a footy match — it’s about a town rallying behind its trailblazers, in a comp that’s paving the way for the future of women’s rugby league in the Riverina.

Should Junee fall short, they’ll have a second chance in next week’s preliminary final, but with momentum on their side and a fired-up fanbase behind them, the Diesels are ready to go all the way.

Meanwhile, Southcity and Young will go head-to-head in the minor semi this weekend, with the winner to face the loser of the major semi in the preliminary final.