Yass Magpies coach, Josh Hardy, wasn't lying when he said "I think it's just reward for their hard effort" following his team's premiership win on Saturday.
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The Magpies claimed the 2019 Katrina Fanning Shield when they beat the Valley Dragons 18-8 at Canberra Stadium.
But a decision made by the playing group after last season's grand final defeat to Goulburn that spurred the Magpies to victory 12 months later.
"We started pre-season earlier due to them requesting it because they wanted to go that one step further," Hardy said.
"We've been training since November and we get the same 20 girls turn up every week."
"I know that a lot of the girls were hurting. We were going so well last year and we just fell at the final hurdle."
The decision well and truly paid off for the Yass outfit, topping off an unbeaten season by taking home the silverware.
"It's not something (going undefeated) we actually talked about at the start of the year, but to achieve it is amazing," Hardy said.
To make things even sweeter, Yass clinched the premiership in the club's 100th anniversary year, a feat that captain Sami Afele is incredibly proud of.
"I'm so happy that we could do that for the club, especially since its our 100th year. They've given us so much support this year," Afele said.
"I think we're a really good team because we play so well together, but also because we get along so well off the field.
"Everyone's friends, so we gelled well the whole season."
The grand final was played as a curtain-raiser to Saturday afternoon's Canberra Raiders vs New Zealand Warriors clash, an occasion that the players cherished.
"It was awesome to play in front of such a big crowd, it definitely lifted the girls," Afele said.
In what was a physical and grueling contest, Yass took a 6-0 lead to the break thanks to Gabrielle Suckling busting through the Dragons' defensive line for the first points of the day.
Although the slender lead, the Magpies were confident that they could get over the line in the second half.
"We went into the sheds and said 'we just have to keep playing our game. Points will come, it is just important to keep them out. Attack wins games, but defence wins premierships'," Afele said.
Yass continued the second half like they did the the first, with Hollie Massey breezing her way to the try line to score the second of the afternoon.
The Dragons put their first points on the board when Crystal Papalli crossed the line, but Jenna Cooke put the result beyond doubt when scoring Yass' third try.
A late consolation try by Alisha Ingram wasn't enough to get the Dragons back into the contest.
Hardy was impressed by his side's ability to win the important moments of the match.
"We knew it was going to be a grind, they've got a massive forward pack," Hardy said.
"It took a significant effort, but we just had to grind throughout the entire 60 minutes.
"We knew if we did things right we'd come away with the result that we wanted."
The Magpies want to replicate this season's premiership winning formula again next season to go back to back.
"I'm sure all the girls will be back for next year. In a few months time we'll get back into training," Afele said.
"But tonight, we'll go out and celebrate the big win with the locals".