GSFLW 2024: Former best and fairest winners Laura Cinanni and Taylah Orzel taste WAFLW glory with Claremont

Former Great Southern Football League Women’s best and fairest winners Laura Cinanni and Taylah Orzel’s dream of a WAFLW premiership was realised after Claremont defeated East Fremantle in the thrilling decider on Sunday. A goal from the boot of Tiger co-captain Rachal Ortlepp was the deciding factor in the heavily contested, muddy encounter as the Tigers lifted the cup with a 3.2 (20) to 2.5 (17) win. Having met in the previous two grand finals and won one each, the Tigers wrote their name into the third chapter of the historic three-year rivalry. In her first season at Tigerland, 2023 GSFLW best and fairest winner Laura Cinanni played a key role in the engine room for the Tigers in the stoppage-heavy game, gathering five hard-to-come-by disposals and laid four tackles, while Orzel provided speed around the contest with seven disposals and two critical inside-50s, “It was a tough game for sure, we always have a hard (match) with East Freo and the conditions meant it was a scrappy stoppage-heavy game so everyone was probably pretty exhausted, but we all just knew we had a job to do,” Cinanni said. “It’s pretty hard to put into words, there was so much emotion especially since it was such a close game. “It’s amazing to be able to celebrate it with the girls we’ve all worked incredibly hard this season so it’s really special to come away with the premiership. “I just feel so privileged to be a part of this team and are so incredibly proud of us.” The inside midfielder said the premiership victory was made even sweeter by sharing the moment with fellow GSFLW player Orzel. “It’s so special (and) I took a bit of convincing from Taylah (Orzel) to get down to Claremont training when I came back to Perth just because I didn’t really think I was up to scratch with WAFLW standards,” Cinanni said. “I am so grateful she kept on me about it and got me down, she’s so talented obviously but it’s just been so nice to have a friendly face from home around too, so it was really special celebrating with her and playing the season with her.” After experiencing last year’s heartache, 2022 GSFLW best and fairest Orzel said it was “surreal” to be a part of the Tigers’ premiership side. “Winning this year’s premiership is super special,” Orzel said. “We have worked so hard all season and really connected with each other, especially the last month. “(It) is so surreal to claim the title for 2024 winning with a bunch of your best mates and winning for the club. After the bone-crunching encounter, Orzel detailed the moment she heard the final siren as the “best feeling ever.” “We didn’t give up until the siren sounded and played with our hearts,” she said. “As soon as I heard that siren sound it was the best feeling ever, looking around seeing instant tears of happiness and relief. “Winning with Laura (Cinanni) is special. . . (and) it’s been amazing to see how we have both developed as individuals this season.”