In a thrilling contest that was locked at 12-all at the end of regular time and still level as both extra-time periods came to a close at Caltex Park, Barber slotted the match-winner from 10 metres out, directly in front of the posts despite the attention of CYMS’ Kimberlee Gordon.

The one-pointer sent the vocal Parkes supporters into raptures, with emotional coach Michael Dumesny leading the celebrations.

“It means the world to me,” Dumesny said.

“I lost my pop about two years ago to suicide, and I’ve had my own struggles with depression earlier this year and to come through this, is unbelievable.

“This is my team and they always will be. To beat CYMS is the best feeling.”

Barber called the field goal little more than “a fluke”, but as one of the grand final’s best players the match-winning effort was a fitting one for the gun custodian.

She easily converted both Ella Harris’ and Sally Dwyer’s tries in the first half, and was a constant threat in attack alongside Shayna Male outwide.

“We were in position for it so I called for it … what a fluke. I don’t often do them,” an elated Barber said.

“I’ve always been able to drop kick as a little kid just in the back yard. I just had a crack.”

Parkes opened the scoring through Dwyer, before CYMS hit back thanks to the ultra-impressive Rikka Lane, arguably the best player on the field.

The Fishies then hit the lead after Rachelle Darcy scurried over from acting half to put the Dubbo club up 10-6.

Harris then went over for the Spacecats three minutes before half-time to give her side a 12-10.

It was a lead the Parkes girls held for nigh on all the second half thanks largely to some brilliant goal-line tagging from the Spacecats.

Three times CYMS looked certain to score – Chrystal Thompson, Majayda Darcy and Tash Watts-TeHiko all entered the in-goal area – only for Parkes’ desperate defence to pick up a tag just before the line.

CYMS found points three minutes before full-time though, Kaitlyn Mason slotting a penalty goal from right in front of the posts to level the score at 12-all and send them game into golden point.

Neither side really looked like scoring a try in extra-time, and Parkes enjoyed the majority of possession until Barber’s premiership-wining one-pointer.

“The plan was to give it to Ella J,” Dumesny said.

“But Claire Barber got the ball, slotted it over. She’s a freak. She’s the best fullback in Western Division and she showed that today.”

CYMS captain Chrystal Thompson cut a dejected figure during the post-game presentation.

She believes Gordon tagged Barber before the field goal was kicked.

“Gutted,” she said.

“But we were winners before we stepped on the field. First year in, we can hold our heads high.

“CYMS will be in a few more grand finals after this.”