After GVL defeated Ovens and Murray in the open interleague match by five goals (45-40) in May, it used that game as inspiration while competing in the 2024 Association Championships.
The GVL took a talent-laden squad to Melbourne to take on some of the best league representative sides from across Victoria.
Led by co-coaches Rachel Whipp and Ellie Warnock, GVL dominated the group stage, winning all seven matches (including the rematch against O&M by seven goals) in a commanding display.
As the games were all played on one day (June 16), the rules were altered so that the matches were made up of two eight-minute halves with a one-minute break in the middle, to help keep the players fresh.
After finishing on top of the ladder for its group, GVL qualified to play Bendigo Netball League in the preliminary final.
GVL made lightwork of its western rival, defeating Bendigo 17-6 to book a spot in the final against Hampden Netball League.
The final was hotly-contested, with GVL taking an early lead before HNL stormed home to claim the win and the championship by seven goals (10-17).
GVL Open side for Association Championships final against HNL
Co-coach Rachel Whipp (Rochester), co-coach Ellie Warnock (Euroa), Natasha Atkinson-Brown (Shepparton Swans), Mia Sudamirski (Euroa), Sarah Szczykulski (Seymour Football Netball Club), Ellie Fuhrmeister (Seymour), Sophie Owen (Euroa), Mia Fallon (Mooroopna), Dayna Williams (Mooroopna) and Asha Gray (Mooroopna).
Whipp was glowing in her assessment of her side’s efforts, especially considering it played nine games between 8.45am and 5.30pm.
“We are super proud of how the girls all came together and combined on the court,” she said.
“We hadn’t trained and had slightly different combinations to the game we had against Ovens and Murray (for the interleague match).
“(In the final) we got up at the start, by a couple of goals, but I just think the tiredness from the long day probably impacted us more so than Hampden.
“To take that opportunity and enjoy playing with each other, obviously we were there for success, but also to take that opportunity of playing with new players.”
Throughout the one-day tournament, Whipp said all her players had various moments where they impressed.
“Everyone played their role and they all stood up and did really well,” she said.
“Natasha Atkinson-Brown was a new in for yesterday and she came in and combined beautifully with Mia (Sudamirski) and Ellie (Fuhrmeister) in attack.
“Mia Fallon was also new with Sophie Owen in the midcourt and, again, having the combinations of the Mooroopna girls (Fallon, Asha Gray and Dayna Williams) and Euroa girls (Sudamirski, Warnock and Owen) playing together helped.
“Our defenders in Sarah (Szczykulski), Ellie (Warnock) and Dayna just combined really well.”
The 17-and-under GVL representative side performed admirably after qualifying for the Association Championships, finishing the tournament in ninth place with three wins, seven losses and one draw.
Meanwhile, the Shepparton Netball Association 13-and-under side had an impressive championship run, finishing seventh out of the 12 teams.
