WOW. Just wow. What a game.
What a last quarter to an incredible, ferocious game of netball. What an atmosphere. At least 1000 people were inside the new Mildura Sporting Precinct stadium and they witnessed a game that had you holding your breath and your heart racing throughout. The noise would have been unimaginable in an SFNL netball game before Saturday, but I hope it is the first of many.
Wentworth held their nerve when it mattered most, largely thanks to the quality of Amanda Edwards and Natalie Vercher. They had their moments in the last few minutes to ensure the Roos were in front when the final hooter went.
Vercher came up with a few massive plays down the stretch when Ouyen United had the chance to gain a game winning lead. There was her successful read of a bounce pass that she picked off. There was her movement into the passing lane to earn the contact call. There was her rebound with 90 seconds to go that saw the Roos race the ball down the other end to get the lead, thanks to a long pass into Edwards. Big player, big plays, big moments won.
You don’t have to watch much of Edwards to know she lives for the big moments on the court. She wants to be the go to player, and she has all the attributes to match that. Her positioning in the ring is first class. Combined with her athleticism, reach and sublime splitting of the feet in the air, it is hard to stop her getting high percentage shots. Edwards shot 19 of Wentworth’s 21 goals in the last half. She rarely looked like missing, and she gathered up her misses most of the time. She scored the goal to tie and got the Roos the lead twice down the stretch. Big player, big plays, big moments won.
It’s fortunate for Wentworth that Edwards wants that pressure, because who would want to be a shooter in finals?
Ouyen United GA Esther Manley found that out the hard way. Naturally a defender, Manley played her best game in attack, moving, passing and shooting superbly to be Ouyen’s best. She had her big moment, the chance to send the game into extra time. But her shot failed to go in. A cruel moment that didn’t fit the game’s incredible script.
The Kangas, who entered the match a huge underdog, played brilliantly and, unfortunately, had to be the team to lose. Catherine Brown and Tsharni Burns challenged Edwards and her shooting companion Liz Rowe all game. Their fast feet and lightning hands are a masterclass for any young defenders. Burns in particular pulled off some spectacular blocked shots and rebounds to give the Kangas much needed breaks. Her voice is a motivating presence for Ouyen. She is a remarkable leader.
Kyra Nathan and Ellen Morrish fed the ball well into Casey Crothers and Manley all game, which is hard to do when you have Vercher and Christie Becker to contend with. Crothers and Manley shot as well as they have all season. Wentworth midcourter, Molly Mangan was awarded best on court with her precise ball use and astute decision making.
Wentworth were challenged and tested like they hadn’t experienced all season, winning all other games by at least 10 goals. Early in the last quarter, they were 4 goals down, Ouyen with possession. Vercher gets the intercept, Edwards the goal. Big moment. The comeback, the arena, the crowd, the moments; they all make the sweetest chapter in their undefeated season en route to the 2022 SFNL A Grade Premiership.
