While the men’s side has chased the Shield, the Harden-Murrumburrah Hawkettes have owned it. Since the ladies league tag competition began in earnest, the Hawkettes have collected seven premierships and appeared in ten grand finals, establishing themselves as the dominant force in the Canberra region’s second-division women’s competition.
Their grand final record reads:
• 2014: Binalong Jersey Girls 7 def Harden-Murrumburrah Hawkettes 2 (runners-up)
• 2015: Bungendore Tigerettes 10 def Harden-Murrumburrah Hawkettes 8 (runners-up)
• 2016: Harden-Murrumburrah Hawkettes 7 def Bungendore Tigerettes 6 (premiers)
• 2017: Bungendore Tigerettes 28 def Harden-Murrumburrah Hawkettes 16 (runners-up)
• 2018: Harden-Murrumburrah Hawkettes 14 def Bungendore Tigerettes 10 (premiers)
• 2019: Harden-Murrumburrah Hawkettes 34 def Crookwell She Devils 6 (premiers)
• 2022: Harden-Murrumburrah Hawkettes 28 def Boorowa Roverettes 2 (premiers)
• 2023: Harden-Murrumburrah Hawkettes 10 def Cootamundra Bullettes 0 (premiers)
• 2024: Harden-Murrumburrah Hawkettes 10 def Crookwell She Devils 6 (premiers)
• 2025: Harden-Murrumburrah Hawkettes 20 def Crookwell She Devils 18 (premiers)
The run of four straight titles from 2022 to 2025, plus the earlier wins in 2016, 2018 and 2019, underlines a period of sustained excellence few clubs in the region can match.
Georgia Smith stands as the face of that success. An original Hawkette, she has been a try-scoring machine and leader for more than a decade. By mid-2024 she had already amassed 150 games, 274 tries and 1,096 points while contributing to multiple premierships. In 2025 she led the competition with an astonishing 36 tries in 11 games and finished runner-up in the best-and-fairest count. She has also represented at Monaro and Australian Oztag level. Her fellow ‘twinnie’ Clare are a gift on either side of the ruck, while Emma James directs play and kicks the goals.
Hawkettes Coach Georgia Smith said, “The Hawkettes have had an incredibly successful season, making it through to the Grand Final undefeated. The girls have worked so hard throughout the season, with their commitment, effort and dedication at training showing in the results we have achieved across the rounds.
“We won our Major Semi-Final 30–12 against the North Canberra Bears, who we will face once again for the fourth time this season. We have had convincing wins each time we have come up against the Bears, but a Grand Final is a different game, and on the day, it is anyone’s to win. The Bears girls would love nothing more than to take us down, so they will certainly have plenty to play for.
“For myself and the girls, we just have to want it more.
“For the first time in 10 years, we have home-field advantage in a Grand Final. It was actually 10 years ago that we won our first GTS premiership, so getting the opportunity to play a Grand Final at home alongside our First Grade side is something we have dreamed of for many years.
“To get the win would make it even more special. Not only would we be celebrating at home, in front of our family, friends and the community, but we would also be playing for our fifth straight premiership.
“As a coach, I could not be prouder of the Hawkettes and the season we have had together. Win or lose, I know we will look back on this season with so much pride and plenty of amazing memories.
“Heading into this Grand Final, all I can ask of the girls is to go out there, play hard, leave absolutely everything out on the field and, most importantly, have fun and enjoy the moment. They have worked incredibly hard to get here, and now it is time to embrace it.
“On behalf of the Hawkettes, we would like to wish Hally and the Hawks all the very best for the Grand Final.”
Playmaker Eliza Butt earned player-of-the-match honours in the 2023 grand final shutout of Cootamundra, directing traffic and making tag after tag in a defensive masterclass. Chloe Muggleton crossed in that same decider. The side’s ability to grind out tight finals — the 2025 20-18 thriller against Crookwell being the latest example — has become a trademark.
The Hawkettes’ record since joining the George Tooke Shield ladies competition is seven premierships and three runners-up finishes. They have set the standard for consistency and big-game performance in the Canberra region.
Harden and this competition will not see a side like the Hawkettes anytime soon. They have managed to mix new youth in to the experience they have retained and players like stalwart Kate Menz have turned the clock back in 2027, playing great footy.
There is quality all over the field and hopefully yet again it will come to the fore. The Hawkettes don’t normally get stressed, they get even and they get the win. Here is to Saturday.
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