HISTORY was made when Ouyen United secured a four goal – 48-44 – SFNL A Grade netball grand final win over Wentworth at City Oval on Saturday.
The win delivered the Kangas their first A Grade netball silverware, coming from fourth place after the regular season to defeat reigning premiers South Mildura in a semi-final, Irymple in the preliminary final and then minor premiers Wentworth on grand final day along the way.
Kangas co-coach Casey Crothers was awarded best on court, scoring 32 of her side’s goals and providing a great target in attack.
“I’m so proud to be a Kanga,” Crothers said.
“What an opportunity we were given, the biggest thing for me is we came from fourth to win this, we worked our butts off and it paid off.”
While the margin was narrow all day, the Kangas were able to get a break first and from there kept their noses in front for most of the match.
“We got that early break, we treasured that possession and that’s what we said to our girls, everyone did – it was amazing,” Crothers said.
“It was a team effort, it was nothing short of fantastic from every team member, there was not one best on court – we were all amazing.”
Co-coach Kyra Nathan, last week awarded the Horkings Medal as the SFNL A Grade best and fairest, spoke more about the journey to the final.
“We’d never won a final before, so our expectations this year was to make finals, like we did last year, and our goal was to win a premiership, I can’t quite believe it, but we actually did it,” she said.
“We learnt a lot in the first two (finals) games, we had tight games where we were up and then lost momentum but held on in the end.
“We talk a lot about being calm and steady, that it doesn’t have to be pretty but we just have to keep possession of the ball.”
Although beaten, Wentworth can hold their heads high.
The Roos deserved the tag of minor premiers and battled hard all day with coach Amanda Edwards a particular standout.
But it was the Kangas’ time, and they took it with both hands.
