Ocean Grove claimed a stunning three-peat in one of the most memorable Bellarine Netball League A Grade grand finals in history.
A turnover by Georgia Berry allowed Zanna Woods to shoot the winning goal right on the full-time siren in an epic 53 to 52 win against Geelong Amateur.
This game had everything. Two players were sent off for two minutes, Grove co-captain Emily Moroney suffered a suspected ACL injury, both goal shooters seemingly couldn’t miss, the lead changed multiple times and it was a thriller right to the final second.
The win made it three consecutive A Grade flags for the Grubbers.
Ocean Grove played almost the entire second half with three B Graders – Claudia Britt, Emma Jones and Mia Smith – on the court.
“Elated, can’t believe it, absolutely thrilled,” coach Mel Holmes said straight after the game.
“That was a roller coaster, but I’m so proud of everyone. It was a real team effort.
“We had to throw everything at it. Just mixing up our starting line-up, having full belief and the ability to bring up B Graders who mean something to this club.
“This is what it’s all about – this community and I’m so thrilled.”
Grove’s Gemma Bell and Ammos’ Keisha Guilmartin were both sent from the court for two minutes just when their teams had the momentum.
Woods shot 42 goals from 44 attempts while at the other end Kim Hammond scored 41 from 46. However, both Guilmartin and Berry made the two goal aces earn every shot.
Ammos led by one with a minute remaining, but Woods tied the scores with 30 seconds left on the clock.
Ammos had the next centre pass, but Berry caused a turnover and it looked like the game was headed to overtime.
But the Grubbers rushed the ball forward and Woods was able to calmly slot her 42nd goal as the siren sounded to signal an epic win.
The loss cannot take away what Geelong Amateur has been able to achieve. It was the A Grade side’s 10 consecutive grand final while the club had eight other teams in the senior and junior deciders with B Grade, E Grade, 15 & Under Division 1 and 13 & Under Division 2 all winning premierships.
It must have been a bittersweet moment for Moroney, who was playing well at centre when she went down with what could be a serious knee injury in the second quarter. She was on crutches after the game and had to be helped onto the dais to accept her medal.
“Pretty surreal, the last few moments of the game was incredible,” she said.
“To use everyone on the bench – everyone came on and played their role exactly the way we wanted them to do – so, so proud of all of them.
“It just shows how strong our depth is and how much belief we have as well.”
Fellow co-captain Woods said she didn’t know how much time was left when she slotted through the match-winning goal.
“I knew that it was getting close by the yelling,” she said.
“I knew that with that intercept we’d get the ball, but I didn’t know.”
Woods said Moroney’s injury galvanised the team.
“You could see it on our faces when Em went down – she knew it, we knew it,” she said.
“She’s been a captain of ours for years. She’s heart and soul for us so I said to the girls ‘the game changes, now it’s for Em’.
“Absolute elation – I wouldn’t call it disbelief because I always knew we could do it, but it just feels so surreal.
“Ammos played so well. If we had lost, I could have lost knowing we lost to a better side, but to pull that out in that last bit with three B Graders on court, it just shows the depth of our club and the belief we have in each other.”
GRAND FINALS
Saturday September 13, Grinter Reserve, Newcomb
A Grade: Ocean Grove 53 def Geelong Amateur 52. Best: Ocean Grove – Zanna Woods, Georgia Berry, Georgia Ryan. Geelong Amateur – Jade Merry, Kayla Donnellon, Kaitlyn Sheringham.
B Grade: Geelong Amateur 51 def Anglesea 30
C Grade: Ocean Grove 39 def Torquay 29
D Grade: Barwon Heads 28 def Geelong Amateur 2
E Grade: Geelong Amateur 38 def Ocean Grove 24
19 & Under: Drysdale 34 def Portarlington 34
17 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 37 def Geelong Amateur 21
17 & Under Division 2: Torquay 19 def Geelong Amateur 15
15 & Under Division 1: Geelong Amateur 31 def Torquay 12.
15 & Under Division 2: Torquay 26 def Ocean Grove 22
13 & Under Division 1: Torquay 28 def Geelong Amateur 24
13 & Under Division 2: Geelong Amateur 21 def Ocean Grove 13
