CELEBRATORY screams and cries that deafened the netball courts as the final whistle blew were indicative of the momentous A Grade grand final victory Ouyen United had sealed over Wentworth, having beaten the unbeatable.
It might have taken four seasons, but the Kangas were finally able to reclaim their territory as the league’s best with a hard-fought, five-goal win over the Roos in this year’s grand final match.
Kangas coach Kyra Nathan was “speechless” after their win, still processing the history-making game.
“I think the thing that we’ve had on our side is that we’ve had such great momentum in playing every week of finals and won every week, whereas they (Wentworth) only played one game in four weeks really, so I thought that was an advantage for us,” she said.
“But my god, I did not think that was going to happen.”
The Kangas iconic calm and calculated style of play was exactly what was needed to combat the Roos, who’s opposite hard and fast style did nothing to slow the Kangas attack.
“I think we have been so composed for this whole finals series,” Nathan said.
“We’ve known that if we can take care of the ball, our defenders will get us the ball, so we just have to reward them by looking after it.”
Casey Crothers, Ester Manly and Tsharni Burns were sensational in the Kangas defence end, creating a number of turnover opportunities for their team.
While they were ahead of the minor premiers most of the match, the Kangas went into the last quarter a goal behind, and knew it would take a massive effort to make sure the score line was in their favour come the final whistle.
“We were so close in the 2022 grand final, we really thought that was our game and we lost that in the end,” Nathan said.
“When there was five minutes to go today, we were in the same position as were in 2022 when we lost it, so we certainly weren’t going to do that again this year.”
As the underdogs in the match, the Kangas had the support of the crowd behind them, with captain Manly even referring to incredible crowd as their “eighth person” in her victory speech.
“Didn’t they bring it, they certainly supported us so well,” Nathan said.
“We’re so thankful to the Kangas’ community, they came out in spades today for all of our girls.”
Best on court went to 15-year-old Kangas shooter Maggie Smith, who’s combinations with Catherine Brown and Megan Jardine had Wentworth’s defence in Courtney Wakefield, Natalie Vercher, and Lola McInerney stumped.
The youngest player on the court, Smith began her season with Ouyen United as a fill-in after moving to boarding school in Ballarat.
But after realising the potential of the team she was playing for, she decided to make sure she would be there alongside them for their finals journey.
“It’s really good to know all the hours driving back and fourth, everything that I’ve done to get here, it nice to know that it was worth it,” Smith said.
“I was really confident in our team, I really saw us winning today, so it was really good to see it through.”
Wentworth coach Amanda Edwards was disappointed in the loss, but felt her team left everything out on the court.
“We knew Ouyen were going to be a really tough contest, we never doubted that at all,” she said.
“I just think we put it all out there, we tried really hard, and obviously we are disappointed, it will take us a little while to bounce back from this.
“It just gives a bit more fire in the belly to come next year.”
Nathan said the win is not only a credit to her team, but to the wider Ouyen United community.
“I can’t get over what sport means in a small community,” she said.
“This week has been such a buzz, and I think now it is going to continue.
“We are just so lucky to have the people around us that we do.”
FINAL SCORE:
Ouyen United: 45
Wentworth: 40
Best on Court: Maggie Smith (Ouyen United)
