WERRIMULL’S Millewa A Grade netball grand final win was a “dream come true”, according to coach Anna Thomson.
The thrilling one-point win was the culmination of a gruelling battle in the heat at Lake Cullulleraine, as Nangiloc and Werrimull went almost goal for goal in the final quarter.
Werrimull, this year’s grand final underdog, had established a solid lead in the first quarter but the Demons fired back and turned on the pressure.
No matter how much Nangiloc pushed, though, they couldn’t get more than two goals ahead of the powerful Pies.
Ultimately it was a final minute push of two goals that saw Werrimull narrowly secure the premiership win, 39-38.
Thomson, the Pies’ playing coach, was relieved to have kept the Demons’ score down and to have powered ahead at the last second.
“We knew it was going to be tough,” she said.
“But honestly, I did not think it was going to be that tough.
“It is a nice feeling coming through as the underdogs.
“We worked so hard and those girls played so well and I am so proud.”
Both teams had power all over the court, but it was the defences that really shone.
Werrimull’s duo of Cassie Morris and Olivia Putland was dominant under pressure and Nangiloc co-coach Ginine Sluiter, who received praise for her performance, was on fire as she worked to shut down star shooter Aislinn Campbell.
Sluiter was backed up well by Ashlee Loveridge and Annette Emonson.
Gabby Gardner was a star for the Demons in goals, working well with Tess Thompson and Chloe Nelson.
While it was hot and sweaty on the court and players began to weaken in the fourth, Thomson said the previous week’s overtime game against Bambill had readied her side.
“It felt actually quite cool today compared to last week,” she said.
“We played an extra 14 minutes last week so we were just prepared to play 60 this week.
“It definitely helped us.”
Thomson said this year’s win felt redeeming after the disappointment of last season.
Werrimull were undefeated for the home-and-away portion of the 2022 season, before exiting the finals in straight sets.
“Last year we were so disappointed and it was so gut wrenching what happened,” she said.
“We wanted to come out this year and prove our point and that is what we did.”
Morris was named best on court and Thomson said the honour was well deserved.
“She worked so hard today you could really tell,” she said.
“Her intercepts and her pressure in the goal ring was amazing.”
