Endeavour Hills sits on the cusp of an unprecedented threepeat, heading into the 2024 Lindroth Cup Grand Final.
The benchmark for women’s rugby in Victoria since 2022, the Eagles face their toughest opponent yet when they tackle Power House in the decider this Saturday.
Whilst Endeavour Hills will benefit from their big game experience, Power House have quietly developed a game plan that is tailor-made for finals footy.
As Endeavour Hills were putting on a cricket score against Western Districts in their semi-final, it was Power House finding a different way to win in their triumph over Melbourne University.
The students were made to feel the wrath of a suffocating Power House defensive plan that looks tailor made for grand final success.
The Power House defensive heroics, particularly in the first half, totally negated the threat of the speedy University outside backs.
By conceding the ruck and allowing their defensive line to fan out, ‘The Green Screen’ completely enveloped the Uni attack line and forced the students to play in channels they didn’t want to play in.
Their defensive spacing was as good as anything we’ve ever seen in the Lindroth Cup, and it clearly frustrated the students.
When Uni relaxed and sent fewer players to contest the ruck, Beth Cregan and the backrow of Power House were lightning fast to take advantage of the situation and make a play for the ball – resulting in turnovers more often than not.
Much of the Eagles impetus stems from their lethal midfield duo - Iron Talia and Teuila Pritchard.
With Talia carrying the extra responsibility of being skipper, it’s easy to see why this midfield pairing is so central to the Eagles success.
Both will go close to topping the run meters for this weekend’s clash, such is their appetite for the football. Their bruising carries have skittled most defensive lines they’ve faced this year, and their ability to shift when the need arises makes them a dual threat.
It’ll be hard work breaking down this Power House defence, but with a midfield boasting Talia and Pritchard, the Eagles may favour blasting through ‘The Green Screen,’ as opposed to going around it.
The battle of the backrowers will be a fascinating subplot in this story.
Nuipulusu’s size and strength make her a constant threat when she has ball in hand. What often goes unnoticed though, is her work rate off the ball.
The first woman off the defensive line on any given phase, the rampaging number 8 sets the standard for the Eagles line speed and has opposing flyhalves quaking in their boots.
Not to be outdone, Emma Fabby is the gold standard for defensive efforts for the House. The openside flanker hits like a steam train and is lightning fast on the loose ball.
Her hard lines off nine will be a feature this weekend, and will keep the Eagles ruck defence honest.
The battle of the 10s will naturally garner much attention.
Vatau-Tuai is the complete package; her running game incisive, her kicking game cultured and and her passing game flawless. Off both hands she can hit a target 15 meters away – a gift for any outside back.
Calm and considered, Cook might lack the explosive power of Vatau-Tuai but is happy to direct the traffic around her like an on-field coach. Her experience in the playmaking role has been invaluable to many of the youngsters around her this season.
In a contest likely to be tight, her goalkicking could prove invaluable as Power House have shown a willingness to accept the gift three points whenever on offer.
Can't make it to Box Hill this Saturday to watch the Lindroth Cup Grand Final? the game will be livestreamed on the RV facebook page at 11am.
