ASHLEIGH Singleton played through excruciating pain to help inspire South Cairns to an emotional AFL Cairns Women's League grand final victory over North Cairns on Saturday night.

Singleton thought she had broken her foot in the second quarter but played on for most of the second half to help lead her team to a 4.7 (31) to 1.3 (9) victory at Cazalys.

Pictures: Cairns Women's AFL 

Singleton was taken to hospital after the game and was diagnosed with ligament damage.

The Cutters had vowed to play for Eileen Ludwick, who missed the match because of family reasons.

Coach Mick Douglas said Ludwick’s absence gave her players extra motivation.

"I said to the girls, ‘Eileen would love to be here but she can’t so she’s going to be hurting a lot more than you are’,’’ he said.

"They just took to it really well and they did it for her, it was a bit of inspiration.’’

Douglas praised Singleton’s courageous performance.

"I was very impressed with the way she went about it, she knew the situation and she wanted to keep going.’’

Soccer player and Tigers winger Teagan Walker was also impressive.

"Teegs has been awesome, for the last four weeks she’s been best on ground and she has really stepped up coming from soccer,’’ he said.

Tigers player-coach Jo Butland played with a broken foot and was one of the best in the beaten team.

"Obviously when you go into a grand final and you don’t have the ability to train for two weeks it sort of doesn’t help you. I’m a bit sore,’’ she said.

Butland said the conditions did not suit her side.

"All credit to Souths, they came out and played well in the conditions because it was wet and slippery and they played a good game.

"We probably didn’t adapt to those conditions really well and we had a few younger girls who hadn’t been in a grand final before.’’

South Cairns 4.7 (31) d North Cairns 1.3 (9). Best: (Cutters) Ellie Martin, Teagan Walker, Ashleigh Singleton; (Tigers) Ruby Leete, Jo Butland, Charmaine Moffatt.

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