The side – captained by Ellen Warner – won every game in the group stage and drew their semi-final with Dubbo 2-2, sneaking through to the final due to finishing higher in pool B than Dubbo, who were second-placed in pool A.

Former Ex Services striker Chloe Barrett returned to the side after nearly two years away from Orange and said she was ecstatic to take the title.

“It was awesome,” she said of taking out the final. 

“It was just goal-for-goal – we’d be in front and then they’d be in front and it was so close.”

Barrett said donning Orange again was a kind of homecoming, giving her the chance to play alongside younger sister Sarah and under the watchful gaze of mum Michelle – as well as with skipper Ellen Warner, who Barrett considers a member of the family. 

She said had adored being a part of the side. 

“I haven’t played for Orange for two years and this year I decided to come back and I’m really glad I did,” Barrett, who is living and studying in Illawarra, said. 

She said Eva Reith-Snare again impressed her with her “sharp play”, but it was Warner who was a “stand-out”.

“She’s just always on the ball and a crucial play-maker for us,” Barrett said. 

But Barrett herself also had an outstanding tournament – playing well enough to be picked in the under-21 state indoor side to play at nationals in January, despite Orange competing in division two. 

It’s the third time she’s been been named in that side, and said she was “excited” for the chance to take a more senior position in that side. 

“I’m not top-age just yet but it’ll be nice to step up a bit and have a bit more confidence,” she said. 

“I was hoping to make the team, having been there before, but I wasn’t expecting it.”

Barrett was named alongside former Dubbo player Emma Corcoran, who is also her roommate in Illawarra.

The duo’s selection made for a better car-ride home considering Barrett had ended Corcoran’s campaign in the semi-final – although Barrett said she didn’t flaunt her medal on the way home despite her roommate’s pre-tournament claims she would “hang her medal from the dash” if she won. 

“It was nice to be able to do it with her, she motivates me and keeps that voice of encouragement going which I often don’t have being away from home,” she said. 

“I’m really excited to play with her.”