Rochester product Sarah Ingram climbed to the state football pyramid’s top step late last month, winning the VFLW premiership with North Melbourne in a tense decider against Collingwood.
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If the 5.4 (34) to 4.4 (28) result at ETU Stadium wasn’t enough to savour in itself, Ingram had extra reason to celebrate hard.
She had just beaten her old team.
The 24-year-old was handed her AFLW debut by Collingwood last season and was looking forward to a strong 2025 campaign in the VFLW for the Pies.
But a week before round one, Ingram was delivered a bombshell.
“I was told I wouldn’t get a game round one and coming from AFLW I hadn’t had that feedback until the week before,” she said.
“My manager sorted it all ... North were happy to take me on.
“It was a big decision but I had to make it within a couple of days because round one was only a week away.
“It was either stay at Pies and potentially be in and out of the team or go to North, and coming from AFLW it was a big thing to hear with the things he said.
“I left and never looked back; North are a great group and are talented but it’s also such a positive environment there which makes a massive difference in sport.”
In her new colours, Ingram thrived.
She started her North Melbourne career in the midfield, helping the Roos to four wins from five games to kick off the season before transitioning into a more advanced role up forward.
However, Ingram’s old charges had the wood over North in their two meetings before the grand final - meaning all things pointed to a gritty affair from the first bounce.
“I was covered in dirt by the end of the game,” Ingram said.
“It was super physical - you had to start the pressure, fight for it, it was a tough battle, but that’s what finals are.
“I was pretty pumped going into the game, knowing I just had to work hard for the whole four quarters every time I was on.”
North shot to an 18-7 lead at quarter time but Collingwood wrested back control to level proceedings 20-all at the half.
By three-quarter time, the Roos trailed by two points.
But when Roos defender Stella Reid kicked the go-ahead goal with five minutes to play, all Ingram could do was watch her team hold on for dear life.
“I’d just come off onto the bench so I was on the edge of my seat watching,” she said.
“Once she got the goal it was just a matter of keeping the ball in nice and close, not letting them get it out, just holding up the game.
“We don’t play time on, so it was just drain the clock. We managed to do that and won - only by a goal in the end, but I’m so happy that we won.
“It was the best day, it was so good.”
Confetti cannons sent out a 21-gun salute as Ingram and North Melbourne celebrated a famous win, making it back to back VFLW flags for the club.
From there, the team returned to Arden St to sing the song, and afterwards, hit the town.
However, Ingram wasn’t getting carried away with it.
She had business to attend to.
The recently anointed premiership Roo had a short turnaround before returning to base, training once a week with North Melbourne’s AFLW side like she did at Collingwood.
“It’s pretty cool training with them; they’re pretty elite and are definitely next level,” Ingram said.
“But they’re all lovely, and it’s a good environment and I enjoy the session so I don’t mind going there once a week.
“You learn heaps; the coaches are super interactive and pull you up on stuff because they just want to help develop you - you don’t feel like you’re just an extra number there.”
Ingram confirmed she “will definitely stay at North” next year as the club hunts a premiership three-peat.
Ingram’s hometown club Rochester was gearing up for a senior grand final in the Goulburn Valley League, and ahead of the final, she backed the Tigers all the way to get it done.
Curiously, Ingram’s partner is Euroa live wire forward Jett Trotter, meaning when Rochester plays the Pies, there’s plenty of friendly fire on game day.
But for the grand final, Ingram pushed any other allegiances to the side.
“I’ve got a lot of family friends that play there. Rochy’s a small town, I grew up with most of them, so I keep tabs,” she said.