The historic Sydney suburban ground played host to two amazing women’s grand finals, both part of a full afternoon and night of action on NSW Tertiary and Sydney Metro Women’s Rugby League Grand Final Day.

It took a Mia Wood try in extra time to split the teams in the Division One Women’s decider, as Cronulla-Carringbah claimed a thrilling grand final win over the Greenacre Tigers. Earlier in the afternoon, victory went to the Glenmore Park Brumbies, who defeated the Berala Bears in the Division Two Grand Final 32-24.

Cronulla-Caringbah was presented with its premiership trophy by Deb Healey, a NSWRL board member and Senior Law Lecturer at the University of New South Wales.

Over 450,000 females have a direct connection with rugby league – whether as administrators, players, coaches, employees, volunteers or club members, the moral being that women really are at the heart of the game.

The athletes on show at Leichhardt on Saturday play long before, during and well after celebratory campaign banners and functions are held and packed away for another year. From the opening round of their comp in April to the grand final in the warmish days of early September, they live and breathe rugby league. These players love the focus required, they love the mateship and they love the challenges thrown up by such a physically demanding sport.

In the Sydney Metro Division One league, the Forestville Ferrettes, Mounties, Berkley Vale Panthers, Cronulla-Caringbah, Penrith Waratahs, Redfern All Blacks, Hunter Stars and Greenacre Tigers play on grounds called Begnell Oval, Adams Park and Doug Rennie Fields.

(Photo courtesy NSWRL).

The average rugby league fan would know by now of the skill and strength of the women’s side of the game thanks to free-to-air television coverage of the Jillaroos’ internationals, such as last May’s Test which was billed as part of a double-header with the men at Newcastle’s Hunter Stadium.

Rest assured, the same passion and commitment you would’ve seen in such battles is replicated week-in, week-out in the Sydney Metropolitan RL.

Some of the front-on hits at Leichhardt on Saturday wouldn’t have been out of place in a men’s State of Origin promo. The league smarts on show, too, were breathtaking and nothing short of what their more fancied and publicised male counterparts are hero-worshipped for in the NRL.

And don’t for one minute think the crowds at these games is along for the “good on em” ride, either. At Leichhardt - among fantastically loud musicians - there was everything else, from the traditional “get ‘em on onside” calls to “why don’t you give the trophy to the ref”. It bought tears …

And yes, for all you narks wondering, by then Robbie Farah had climbed down from the scoreboard on the Wayne Pearce Hill …

If you’re an overall fan of the game of rugby league beyond the glitz and glamour of the NRL and are wondering where the sport sits at its various levels and forms, keep the Sydney Metro Women’s competitions in mind for next winter. Watch just one game and you’ll feel in debt to these highly skilled players for an afternoon of brilliant rugby league.