A 45-goal turnaround from the second semi-final has given Belmont Lions a treasured Geelong & District Netball League A Grade premiership.
Beaten by Thomson by 43 goals in the semi, the Lions overcame the loss of star goaler Angelique Ross to prevail 39 to 37 at St Albans Reserve on Saturday September 20.
Thomson went into the game as favourites, but Belmont survived a late Tigers’ flurry to claim premiership glory.
With coach Shayna Brown and Ella Wasik combining in goal, Belmont brilliantly covered the massive loss of Ross, who ruptured an ACL in the semi.
Thomson led by one goal at quarter time and increased the margin to two at the half.
Belmont got going in the third quarter with Molly Gribble starring in midcourt while Zoe Saunders also provided plenty of drive.
Meanwhile Lions’ co-captain and goal defence Sophie Allison was locked in an absorbing battle with Emma Witham.
At the other end of the court, Lions’ sharpshooter Ella Wasik was working hard against a very good Cheyenne Philpott.
The Lions broke free early in the final term and led by six goals before minor premiers Thomson launched one last ditch effort.
The Tigers started to take risks, knowing it was the only way they could win the game with wing attack Shae Rowbottom leading the charge.
Ebony Harris was forced from the court with an eye injury and captain Amelia Jarvis came on and Bree Caldwell reduced the margin to three.
Brown goaled with less than two minutes remaining to make the margin four goals and it appeared the cup was headed to Winter Reserve.
Caldwell then missed for Thomson, but Witham was able snap up the rebound and reply almost immediately, but with the next centre pass, Belmont was able to take 30 seconds off the clock before a late consolation goal to the Tigers.
Thomson had the next centre pass, but time had run out and when the buzzer sounded, the Lions were sent into a state of frenzy.
“These girls have faced a lot of adversity over the past season from the start of the season and I’m so bloody proud of you girls,” Brown said.
“The way you showed your commitment, your grind. Thomson were the benchmark and like Shan (Thomson coach Shannyn Leach) said, we were hunting you guys down…you’re a top coach and I have so much respect for you.”
“I’ll just echo Shayna’s sentiments,” co-captain Sophie Allison said.
“This group is the most tight knit group I’ve ever played with. We’ve overcome so much this year. I don’t know a team that’s had as much thrown at them as this one this season so I’m super proud of this group for overcoming all of that.
“And to Thomson – you guys are such a beast. You are the benchmark. You guys are going to come back much stronger next year and we really look forward to that tussle.”
It must have been a bittersweet moment for Angelique Ross, the co-captain who missed the game with a serious knee injury, but she certainly didn’t show it, and was probably the happiest of all the group. She too praised the opposition in a classy way.
“Not only are you great netball players, you’re all great people,” she said.
“I have so much respect for you and you’re going to bounce back.
“Thank you to everyone who showed up today. We really appreciate our crowd and our supporters.”
GRAND FINALS
A Grade: Belmont Lions 39 def Thomson 37. Best on court: Molly Gribble (Belmont Lions)
B Grade: Thomson 26 def Inverleigh 21. Best on court: Amelia Bakker (Thomson)
C Grade: East Geelong 38 def North Geelong 32. Best on court: Ashleigh Cushion (East Geelong)
D Grade: Inverleigh 34 def East Geelong 28. Best on court: Jacinta O’Meally (Inverleigh)
E Grade: East Geelong 28 def Inverleigh 27. Best on court: Georgie Arnold (East Geelong)
19 & Under: Bell Post Hill 43 def Bannockburn 25. Best on court: Caitlin Deretic (Bell Post Hill)
17 & Under: East Geelong 28 def Werribee Centrals 19. Best on court: Mikayla Ferguson (East Geelong)
15 & Under: Bannockburn 29 def Anakie 24. Best on court: Hannah Fletcher (Bannockburn)
13 & Under: East Geelong 18 def Inverleigh 14. Best on court: Charlotte Butcher (East Geelong)
