THE Tamworth Swans women's team have progressed to the AFL North West preliminary final after defeating the New England Nomads by 36 points on Saturday.
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Taking on the fourth-placed Nomads at Armidale's Bellevue Oval, the Swans kept their historic, maiden season in the competition going by recording a 4-12-36 to 0-0-0 victory.
Gabrielle Joice booted two goals in the win, while Sarah Pannowitz and Meg Hillenberg each kicked one.
Elise Daly was named the Swans best player in the win.
Swans coach Andrew Donohue said the way his side had come together this season had been "freaky".
"They all just clicked right from the start and have soaked up every piece of information they've been given," Donohue told the Leader.
"One thing you can't teach is experience, but these girls have more than made up for that with their eagerness to learn and get better each week.
"I think Saturday's win was a culmination of all of that hard work and team bonding they have done throughout the year."
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With key players Lara Taggart and Madison Sharp missing from the Swans lineup, Donohue said "the usual suspects stepped up" to guide the side to victory.
"Our usual suspects like Daisy George, Billie Mitchell and Olivia Climpson really lead the way," he said.
"However, girls like Elise Daly really stood up to help fill those roles and get us over the line.
"Honestly, I couldn't be prouder of their effort."
The win sets up a cross-town preliminary final against the Tamworth Kangaroos, after the reigning premiers went down by just one point to Inverell in the second semi final.
Both teams struggled in the tough conditions, with the Saints holding on to win 1-4-10 to 1-3-9.
Stephanie Press booted the Saints only goal for the game, while Erin Skewes kicked the Roos only major for the match.
Saturday's grand-final playoff will see the Roos return to Varely Oval to take on the Swans.
"They [the Roos] have been to Inverell three or four times in the last six weeks," Donohue said.
"We did that earlier in the season, so we know how tough that is.
"Hopefully, for our sake, it might have made them a little bit tired ahead of our game this weekend."
Donohue said he was confident his side could earn a spot in the grand final.
"I was really impressed with the way our girls handled the pressure of the final on Saturday," he said.
"With a couple of players back in this week, I'm confident that if we play our best football we can make the grand final."