AFL North West's decision to stage a season, despite the lingering COVID menace, has provided it with an ideal platform from which to "showcase" the game.
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So says AFL North West president Sonia Martin, who was at No 1 Oval on Saturday as that fact was underlined when a healthy crowd ringed the picturesque ground and a glorious spring day greeted the Swans and the Saints' clashes.
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And it was underlined again when the Swans men formed a guard of honour for the Swans women to run through after being given main-game status for the day.
Their 6.4-40 to 5.5-35 win sealed them a grand final spot against the Bulldogs on September 26, after they made the preliminary final in 2019 - their debut season. The Bulldogs have made the finale in their debut season.
Martin said the Swans wanted their women to play last as a mark of respect for their performances over the past two seasons.
"It was a great atmosphere and a ripping game of footy," she said of the women's match on Saturday.
The women's game, she continued, "has come so far". "And you look at the skill level that was there yesterday [Saturday] - it's just come ahead leaps and bounds."
Martin said the Bulldogs women were "amazing in the way they've come in and played so well".
She said the venue for the grand final would be decided at an AFL North West executive meeting on Monday night.
With two rounds remaining, the undefeated Bulldogs men have already book a grand final spot. The second-placed Swans and third-placed Nomads are both on 20 points, while Inverell are on 16.
Gunnedah thumped the Kangaroos 24.25 (169) to 1.9 (15) at Wolseley Oval on Saturday, while the Bulldogs women beat the Suns 13.8 (86) to 2.4 (16) in the earlier game.
"It's just amazing how we've been able to get a whole season happening," Martin said, adding: "We kept our options open [regarding a season launch] - and we're so glad we did."
