Berrigan met the might of Rennie in Picola District Netball League 17-and-under grand final

By Liam Nash

Sep 10, 2023

17-and-under premier: Rennie. Photo by Aydin Payne

If pressure makes diamonds then Rennie’s 17-and-under grand final win over Berrigan wouldn’t have looked out of place in a Swarovski shopfront.

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There were nerves aplenty attached to the Hoppers – they’d gone undefeated all season and didn’t want to choke in the only game that mattered.

They shouldn’t have worried.

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Shaw-fire talent: Rennie’s Sophia Shaw. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Sights set: Berrigan’s Layla Towler. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Up and about: Berrigan’s Miley Driscoll. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Dead eye: Rennie’s Laynee Rhodes. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Pyle up: Berrigan’s Lucy Pyle. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Pumped up: Rennie’s Mykie Mcburnie. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Watching on: Berrigan’s Abigail Walsh. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Tapped in: Rennie’s Mykie Mcburnie. Photo by Megan Fisher

Rennie was a cut above Berrigan as it sailed to a 46-35 victory, getting better as time went by with the uptick in confidence clear as day under the blue Strathmerton sky.

“Coming into today we were undefeated, so it all always comes in with that added pressure,” coach Brooke McDougall said.

“Not only just a grand final, but you don’t want to be the team to lose the grand final after being undefeated.

“Berrigan, their goalers didn’t miss, they proved that they deserved to be there. But we played our game, we didn’t fall into any negative pressure or anything to do with throwing the ball out or getting physical.

“We stuck to what we know and how we play, everyone had their own jobs to do and they all deliver.”

Rennie broke out to an early 6-1 lead in the opening minutes.

The height of goal shooter Eliza Robilliard was a stark standout for the Hoppers, her rebounding ability well balanced against the surgical prowess of Laynee Rhodes in goal attack.

Add in the electricity of midcourt spark Sophia Shaw and there was no confusion behind why the side in green was ahead 11-8 at the first change of ends.

The Hoppers hit first with three unanswered goals after the break, displaying an impeccable turnover game.

The Saints were unable to slice away at a four-goal margin during the second quarter despite Charlie Magill playing fluent netball and centre Miley Driscoll showing fight with plenty of pep and vocals.

Berrigan began slowly losing its tether on the game as Rennie pushed away to 23-15 lead at half-time and when Rhodes got going there was no looking back.

The pocket rocket goaler slotted one after the other and eventually led her side to victory and a best-on-court honour rightly followed.

McDougall said her side’s head down approach contributed largely to its success on the day.

“(The message was to) stay focused, look down the track and ask what do we want ― we’ve only got an hour, then it was 30 minutes, then 15 minutes left to give it your all,” she said.

“We are very team focused, if they weren’t up to the challenge there was someone waiting to take their place.

“I commend those girls for having the guts and the team aspect to say ‘I need a break and someone else can do better than I can right now’ and that was our big focus.”