CASEY Crothers is no stranger to grand final victory.
In fact, one of her earliest memories of winning a premiership was alongside defender Tsharni Burns in 2000 with the Ouyen Rovers.
Now, 24 years later, the pair find themselves in the same place, yet again.
“Tsharni and I were laughing about it actually, how 24 years later here we are, still in A Grade together,” Crothers said.
“It’s funny because we’ve played opposite each other as well in the Mallee League in different clubs, so we have sort of had success together and against each other.
“She is a sensational person to have on the team, she’s the loudest person on the court, she is just the epitome of what team is, so I’m very grateful to be on the court with her again this year.”
The Ouyen United stalwart has played a key roll in the many success of the club over the years, including being named best on court as co-coach in their 2019 premiership win over Wentworth – the last game Wentworth lost in the last four years.
Crothers has also laid claim to a couple a best and fairests in her time, but doesn’t really counts those as markers of success.
“I mean, they don’t mean much unless they are with grand final,” she said.
“Grand finals are the pinnacle of success really, when you can do it with a team.”
While she has been a dominant force in the court for the Kangas this year down the defence end, Crothers thought her netball career had come to an end last year, participating in the 2023 season from the sidelines as team manager.
“I think the team manager job was harder than playing, so I decided to come back and play,” she said.
“It was a late decision (this year) actually, I didn’t know whether I was going to or not,” she said.
“I’m getting a bit older, and was unsure on how the body would feel, but I’m probably feeling the best I have in a while now, so I guess that helps enjoy the netball as well when you’re pulling up OK at this age.”
Crothers also spoke highly of her club, saying the environment created there made it is easy to keep coming back year after year.
“Honestly, playing for the Kangas, that’s probably the best part, that you’re playing for an awesome club,” she said.
“It’s a pleasure to be around, people are excited and happy to be there. I also have my kids coming through, my youngest is in under 11s, so it’s great for her to see me play, and it’s great that she is now old enough to be involved in the club too.
“I’m excited for the future of the Kangas.”
Crothers said she was feeling confident that the Kangas would be able to put Wentworth through their paces today, and that a win would make everything throughout the season worth it.
“It would be a pay off to all the girls in the team for their hard work throughout the year, the ups and downs,” she said.
“It would an absolute dream come true.”
