But the moment the Waratahs coach, Shaun Perrett, would take a victor's sip from the 2018 grand final trophy in the sheds after the game was still a long way off.

For me - and not just because this photo would eventually be awarded a Women in Sport Photo Action Award - this was the moment that defined the match.

When people look at this photo, they sometimes ask me how Maya Stewart, in the Waratahs colours, could have got away with this.

The truth is, it looks a lot worse when it's frozen in a single frame forever.

It all happened in a moment.

Stewart had tackled Tayla Sampson and as they spun around to play the ball, her arms have swept up a handful of Sampson's ponytail.

It's not something you would see in men's sport.

On assignment with Marina Neil: 100 photos in 2019 from the Walkley Award-winning Herald photographer

When we are assigned to cover sport, it can be fun to capture all those big action shots, but it is just as important for us to tell the story of the game.

We're often looking at what is happening on the scoreboard, and those small moments on the edges of the play where the drama is happening.

It was the first time the Waratahs had claimed the women's Hunter Rugby Union title. The Wanderers were nine-time champions.

The Reds had only returned to the competition that year after a lengthy absence. The Wanderers were established winners with 11 minor premierships and nine championships, including a treble from 2013 to 2015.

The Wanderers had dug deep to win a match four days before the grand final. The Waratahs were coming off three weeks' rest, coming to the end in a barnstorming charge through the season.

I've played sport all my life. I actually know, and have played rugby with both of these women. It's why I love photographing the game. I know all their personalities - I know how they play. And when you've played rugby, you can look out for little things that are happening on the field.

You're looking for the players getting aggro on the edge of the action, or the fans getting excited.

You need to be able to move quickly and be constantly looking for the little things.

The biggest moment of the match could be over in a split second.

- Marina Neil

HOW I SHOT IT: Canon EOS 1D X, 400mm EF lens, f/2.8, 1,1600 sec. Available light