WENTWORTH claimed a thrilling one-goal victory over Ouyen United on Saturday in an SFNL A-grade netball grand final decided after the buzzer.
In the league’s first indoor decider, a crowd of about 1000 fans were kept on their toes as the teams remained inseparable.
The Roos fiercely defended their one-point lead in the final moments of the game to finish their 2022 campaign undefeated.
Throughout the absorbing encounter, the Kangas had a lead of up to five goals, but Wentworth managed to repeatedly claw it back.
The final result was fitting for the Roos, a team that had worked hard to maintain a strong playing style all year, defeating all opponents by margins of up to 59 goals.
Coach and key player Amanda Edwards was emotional post-game. Her team’s hard work had paid off and they had a trophy to cement their incredible year.
She said she thought it was the team’s belief that got them over the line, after trailing at the end of the third quarter, 35-32.
“That has been a really key word for us, to just believe,” she said.
“Coming into that last quarter three goals down, I think us backing each other and (possessing) every loose ball, we were just onto it.”
Ouyen United had an opportunity to tie the game post-buzzer when contact was called on Ouyen United’s versatile shooter Esther Manley.When the goal missed, the devastation on Manley’s face was evident.
The Kangas, who had many player disruptions this year, had shone throughout finals with a new combination and put up one hell of a fight in the final showdown.
But Wentworth, led by tenacious defender Natalie Vercher, rallied in the final quarter to keep their streak alive.
Playing co-coach Kyra Nathan, whose interceptions and passes were instrumental throughout the game, said the loss was a disappointment for the team, who had given their all on the court.
“It was a good game against two pretty well-matched teams,” she said.
“We came in as the underdogs thinking that they were far, far better than us, but right from the start, we had nothing to prove and nothing to lose and we played like that.
“We knew they would come back, we knew they were fit and a quality team and they were the better team at the end of the day, unfortunately.”
It was clear Ouyen United had a strategy to shut down Wentworth and their star shooter Edwards.
Catherine Brown and Tsharni Burns were superb in defence for the Kangas against the formidable Edwards, who drained 35 goals for the game.
Playing co-coach Casey Crothers said Burns and Brown were phenomenal in limiting Wentworth’s score to 45, their lowest of the season.
Ouyen United’s strategy to never let Wentworth secure a major lead was a success.
The winning team never led by more than three goals, and the first time they were in front didn’t come until the second quarter.
Edwards reflected on this, stating the Kangas made it hard to get ahead.
“It wasn’t easy to get balls, so to be able to score not on your centre pass was hard,” she said.
Nathan said they knew they couldn’t let Wentworth create a huge margin.
“I felt that we needed to be in front so that they panicked, otherwise they could get a pretty quick run on,” she said.
Crothers, Ouyen United’s leading goal shooter, said she was proud of her team.
“It just came down to that last buzzer and it was really impressive on both teams,” she said.
“(Wentworth) have been beating teams by a lot throughout the year and to be up throughout the game was a credit to our team.”
Wentworth’s WA Molly Mangan was awarded best on court during the post-game presentations.
Mangan had impressive speed on the court and made several key intercepts for the Roos.
GK Vercher and GD Christie Becker also showed impressive form. Their pressure and intercepts were crucial in slowing down Ouyen United.
Edwards was of course a star on the court again, almost every time her hands were on the ball, it was in the ring.
But at times she appeared frustrated and made some rare errors as she strived to lead her team to victory.
Wentworth’s mid-courters Emily Hosking, Molly Young and Ashlee Cameron were composed despite Ouyen United’s pressure, their speed helping them navigate the quick turn overs with ease.
“Everyone did a hell of a job,” Edwards said, when probed as to who from her team was a standout on the day.
“Everyone come on and played a role, there was nothing left unturned.
“The composure of the girls was awesome in those final minutes.”
Crothers said Ouyen United had experience across the court, as most of the side had competed in the 2019 grand final and knew how to handle the pressure.
She said this helped the side compete with Wentworth’s high standard.
Manley was in impressive form on the day. Her and Crothers worked hard in the ring and managed to remain composed against the Roos’ tough defenders.
Manley, who is usually a defence player, moved to GA to replace Tayla Willsmore, following her ACL injury.
Edwards said the Roos deserved a big night of celebrations after the tight victory.
“It was intense, we knew Ouyen were going to come out really hard,” she said.
“It was up and down but I’m so proud with how it turned out.”
