Nicole Pender has already booked her spot in the Group 3 ladies league tag grand final, while Natalie Smith also has a link or two to a grand final through partner Kyle Ellison.

He’ll run around for the Port Sharks in next weekend’s Group 3 grand final either for the club’s reserve grade or first grade side.

But on Saturday it’s all about Smith and Matthews’ Kendall side who will tackle Pender’s Beechwood girls in the first-ever Hastings League women’s tackle grand final.

Blues coach Glenn Bampton admitted he had no expectations when he took over at the start of the season.

“We were extremely patient with the girls and we only had one rule – they weren’t allowed to say sorry,” he said.

“Girls seem to say sorry a lot; no saying sorry, just get on with it.”

Matthews and Smith could be pivotal players in the season decider.

“With Shanene, you’ve got 100 per cent effort,” the coach said.

“She does nothing at slow speed; she is completely flat out all the time.

“With her intensity, involvement and speed, she’s so easy to work with.”

He described Smith as a joy to coach.

“With Natalie you wouldn’t find a nicer person,” he said.

“She’s so thoughtful, understanding, listens and does what she does best and is a really consistent player.

“Nat’s got all the ball skill, has good tackle technique and is a riot to be around.”

Bampton was hopeful this year’s women’s tackle competition would be the start of something impressive in coming years.

He wants to see it succeed.

“This area could stockpile a really impressive team if we could put them all together,” he said.

“I’d like to see it fitted in under reserve grade and try and push for a first grade, reserve grade, ladies comp.”

Beechwood coach Leith Costigan said the effort of Whitney Smith epitomised what women’s rugby league was all about.

“Whitney has only played three or four games for us, but the first game she played for us was only six or seven weeks after she had a bub,” he said.

“That’s a big call in itself to see someone with a bit of ticker like that.”

He labelled the season as an “eye-opener”.

“It’s actually been an eye-opener to see how many girls do want to play tackle footy and it’s surprising how much talent is out there,” he said.

The match kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday at Lank Bain Sports Complex.