When Grafton Redmen captain Tamar McHugh put up her hand up earlier in the season to take on the captain-coaching role she had reservations.
But with a little help from her friends, and her strength and determination, McHugh has guided the Redmen Women’s 10s side to their second grand final in as many years.
“It has been a long season and a lot of hard work taking on the captain-coach role,” McHugh admitted during the week.
“It has been a huge challenge, and I am super-grateful that I have had the likes of Steve Hackett, Craig Howe, Gary Powell and Mitch (Drinkwater) to be fantastic mentors and help guide me each step of the way.
“Hacks’ mentorship has helped me develop as a coach and person on and off the field. He is first to answer the phone or give me a ring when I’m trying to navigate decisions within the team.
“There is something about his presence and involvement that makes you want to work hard, and when you work hard you reap the benefits.”
With two wins a piece this season, Saturday’s blockbuster is expected to go right down to the wire. And with plenty of representative talent on display, everything points to a high-quality game.
“It is shaping up as one of the most competitive games we have played,” McHugh said.
“When talent meets talent, you have to make sure you win each moment and rely heavily on each individual player to execute their own roles.”
The Redmen captain added the heartbreak of last year’s grand final loss to Port Pirates has only fuelled her sides desire to succeed.
“Experience of playing in a grand final is a plus and those of us who played last year know the heartbreak of a loss and we will use that as motivation,” McHugh said.
“We also have a few girls playing in a grand final for the first time and I’ve told them not to play the game in their head before they run out on Saturday.
“Also enjoy each moment, the process, preparation, and above all, do the things that make you happy outside footy. These opportunities don’t come around often and it’s something you don’t want to look back on and think I wish I let myself enjoy the experience more.”
Whether it’s the planets aligning or fate, when McHugh runs out on the field for the Redmen on Saturday she will become the first female player in the Club’s history to notch up 50-games.
“Honestly, it’s an unreal experience being the first woman for the Redmen to reach such a milestone,” she said.
“It’s something I’m proud of and it will live on forever and being able to reach that milestone in a grand final is something I’m sure I will talk about for many years after I retire from the game.”
McHugh is aware history beckons when her side faces off against Snappers on Saturday, and she had one final message for her teammates.
“Firstly, we have to earn the right to win the game and that comes with mental toughness, effort and executing those key moments,” she said.
“You work hard for these moments and when you get there you want nothing more than to get the job done.
“To make history with this team would be something I would never forget. Seeing the men’s sides just fall short this year in do-or-die matches has touched a lot of our players. We aren’t just doing it for us, we are doing it for the Club.
“To my team, nobody who gave their best regretted it…believe in yourselves and your teammates.”
