Ash Moorehead’s performance will go down in folklore as one of the gutsiest ever as Mid North Coast claimed a top four finish at the national ozTag championships in Coffs Harbour.

Mid North Coast coach Steve van Gemert still couldn’t believe it.

“She was mummified,” he said.

“She was strapped from the top of her thigh all the way down to her shin bone, but she kept playing.”

However, a humble Ash Moorehead pointed to her teammates and coach’s efforts as the reason for the team’s success.

“The whole team put in an enormous effort and everyone battled their own injuries and exhaustion. The effort from every single player is noteworthy and that dedication filters through from our coach, Steve Van Gemert,” Moorehead said.

Ash was in extreme pain in between matches and if it wasn’t for the strapping and recovery facilities at the tournament she wouldn't have got through it.

Co-captains Laura Cudmore and Mandy McKinnon’s performances also left the coach shaking his head in disbelief.

“The amount of minutes that Laura and Mandy played without a substitute was something I’ll never know how they did it,” he said.

“The desire from the girls and the want to compete makes it a great group of girls to be a part of.”

In the end, their quest to become national women’s seniors champions ultimately fell short, but they gave it a decent shake.

Although the Sharks were bundled out by the ACT, coach Steve van Gemert was satisfied to create their own piece of history.

“The girls became the first Mid North Coast team to be top four at a national tournament,” he said.

Last year the Sharks were eliminated in the quarter-final stage.

Not only did they improve on their performance from 12 months prior, the Sharks overcame a number of challenges along the way.

Most teams had 18 to choose from; the Sharks had four less.

“The girls knew we were short (of players) because we had a couple of injuries late in the week, but they got on with the job,” van Gemert said.

Mid North Coast played seven games throughout the weekend, winning five with their only two losses coming to the ACT and Sydney Warriors.

Those two teams contested the grand final.

“It’s a great effort when you battle these sides from Sydney, Queensland and all over Australia,” van Gemert said.

“The touch football players will tell you how difficult it is at State Cup, but this is a national event.”

The coach said there was still room for improvement.

“The team is still young in its development, but inside 12 months we have made a State Cup final and then a national semi-final,” he said.

While disappointed not to make the final, van Gemert believed the side would be better for the experience.

“The State Cup grand final and the national finals are all on field one in front of the grandstand and live streamed,” he said.

“Sometimes that can be an intimidating atmosphere when you know your family and friends are watching, but the girls now have confidence they belong.

“It takes a while to get confident at the top level, but we’ll revisit how we can improve for next year.”

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