B-grade premier: Strathmerton.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Strathmerton pulled off the unthinkable in Picola District Netball League’s grand final occasion on Saturday.
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Yes, it was B-grade, but there was nothing second string about how the Bulldogs rose from the depths to clinch a 52-46 extra-time win over Deniliquin Rovers.
Strathmerton had the lead, lost it and won it back again before hoisting the cup in front of a rampant home crowd, much to the delight of coach Kelley Laidlaw.
Gritting her teeth: Deniliquin Rovers’ Simone Lumbar.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Keane as mustard: Strathmerton’s Loreena Keane.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Directing traffic: Strathmerton’s Emma Hocking.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Experienced head: Strathmerton’s Joy Maher.
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Megan Fisher
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Watch your step: Deniliquin Rovers’ Brittany Kirby.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Watching, waiting: Deniliquin Rovers’ Montana Muldoon-Leetham.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Midcourt battle: Strathmerton’s Caitlin Mills and Deniliquin Rovers’ Brittany Kirby.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Judging the play: Deniliquin Rovers’ Georgia McCulloch and Strathmerton’s Amy Carter.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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Tossing it up: Deniliquin Rovers’ Brittany Edwards.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“We’ve worked hard, we’ve had bloody injuries and sicknesses throughout the year. We’ve played half a season with seven flat players,” she said.
“Today was the first game we had our full team, our team of 12 and they really put on a show for us.
“As a team we’ve been saying all year that we need to keep composed and get around each other.
“They did exactly what was asked and they kept in mind that they just needed to keep going and keep on top of it all.”
Strathmerton drew first blood and it was blood it sought with the first three goals of the game to no reply as the fans bayed for more.
The aggressive approach of Bulldogs goal keeper Loreena Keane rattled the cages of Rovers’ goalers Brittany Edwards and Simone Lumbar.
Still, they managed to settle the nerves and drag it back to level pegging midway through the term.
Edwards got on a roll late in the quarter, working around a rangy Joy Maher in defence.
After taking a 12-9 lead into the second quarter, the Bulldogs spent the opening minutes occupying Deniliquin’s ring though the Rovers stole goals to keep the margin tight.
Edwards, the liveliest player on the court, single-handedly dragged the game back to 16-all and soon after Deniliquin took the lead for the first time in the match only to surrender it almost immediately.
From then on it was a tug of war for the ascendancy.
Neither side could get a firm handle and pull away and after Strathmerton shifted into a 23-22 advantage at the half Deniliquin made sure to steer its nose ahead early in the third.
However, with every minute passed the atmosphere tightened up a notch.
Rovers were polished in possession and held a crucial two-goal buffer at three-quarter time.
The noise resembled a concert venue, the screams and cries only amplifying the state of play in the final term and it was Strathmerton the happier bunch as the hooter sounded.
The scoreboard read 42-42: seven minutes each way left.
After shipping the first goal of extra time, the Bulldogs drilled the following three as Amy Carter stepped up in goals when it counted and, with skipper Caitlin Mills providing drive through the midcourt, the Bulldogs lifted immensely to produce a show-stopping finish.
“At full time I said it’s not the end of the game right now, this is where we start our game,” Laidlaw said.
“We reset and we play like we’re going out on court for the first time not the end and they did.
“I couldn’t even make any changes they were playing that well.”
Laidlaw spoke highly of young talent Kiara Deverill following the win, while Emma Hocking was named best-on-court.
