Chasing back-to-back premierships, Gisborne A-grade netballers were in a shaky position nine goals in arrears halfway through the third quarter of Saturday’s grand final.
Kangaroo Flat had worked hard to establish the lead, and the Bulldogs needed to lift.
Experienced coach Tarryn Rymer was proud of her side’s response under pressure, particularly as some players had not been as sharp and precise as anticipated.
The Green Army was urging Kangaroo Flat on against the favourites at Queen Elizabeth Oval, sensing an upset.
Some positional changes were made, and Gisborne managed to reduce the deficit to five goals at the last change.
Spectators became more vocal as the scores narrowed, and some great intercepts and a couple of mistakes enabled Gisborne to sense victory was within reach.
This was a Bendigo League grand final, with reputations at stake.
Kangaroo Flat deserved their spot after eliminating Sandhurst in the preliminary final.
Halfway through the last term Gisborne hit the front for the first time, and never relented.
Finally, the winning margin was 43-41.
The medal for best player on the court went to young shooter Torie Skrijel, who never lost focus and showed her undoubted talents under pressure.
Rymer had some special words of praise for Skrijel, and also commended the whole side on achieving the outcome they have worked for so hard again this season.
Star player Maddy Stewart, who missed the 2023 grand final when overseas, was thrilled to be part of the Bulldogs’ lineup.
This season Stewart was runner-up to Chelsea Sartori (Kangaroo Flat) in the BFNL’s Betty Thompson Medal count for best player in A-grade netball.
The team comprised: Claudia Mawson and Kirsty Elliott (joint captains), Emerson Lakey, Tiana Newman, Charlee Kemp, Maddy Stewart, Zoe Davies, Rylee Connell, Demi Young and Alex Russ.
Newman now has the distinction of having played in all three of Gisborne’s A-grade premiership sides.
B-GRADE VICTORY
Gisborne had netball sides in four of the five grand finals, and the other premiership came from a determined B-grade side that scrambled home 46-45.
This Gisborne side had lost the second semi-final, and reached the grand final the hard way.
It was a tension-packed finish, with Gisborne defeating Sandhurst 46-45.
Hannah Weier received the medal for best on court.
The Bulldogs’ side comprised Shelley Farrugia (captain), Hannah Weier, Georgia Fearn, Reece Sutton, Georgia Murray, Emma Joyce, Emily McDonald, Dasha Taylor, Olivia Fenn, Bridget Salter, Taylah Ranieri, Nivana Martin.
Unbeaten all season, Gisborne’s talented A-Reserve side had chances to win, but found a much-improved Strathfieldsaye Storm a formidable opponent with nothing to lose.
The Bulldogs could not shake off their opponents and a dramatic finish ensured.
Strathfieldsaye won 40-39 with a goal after the siren — a loss that devastated Gisborne’s playing group and supporters.
In the B-Reserve grand final Sandhurst defeated Gisborne 39-33, and Sandhurst took out the 17&Under final with a clinical exhibition, winning 62-32 against Golden Square.
