By David Nagel
Inverloch-Kongwak is joyously celebrating a well-deserved A Grade premiership after the Sea Eagles overcame a nervy start to defeat a gallant Bunyip by four goals at Garfield on Saturday.
A season of extreme promise looked set to disintegrate for the Eagles, after the dynamic Bulldogs raced out to a 17-11 quarter-time lead.
Ebony Mumford (C), Chloe Papley (WA) and Ally Johnson (WD) were tearing the Eagles to shreds, while star goaler Jasmin Mackie was absolutely on fire, scoring 13 goals for the quarter.
Bulldogs coach Sam Walker (GK), and her steady side-kick Olivia Hunt (GD), were well on top in defence, while skipper Kyra Esler was providing Mackie with silver service.
Things didn’t look good for Jarrad Walker and his side.
But more bibs were swapped than a baby-shower at quarter time…and the Sea Eagles regained composure.
They scored 16-6 in the second term, and raced out to a seven-goal lead at the final break after an 11-8 third quarter.
The Sea Eagles held off a brave last-quarter from the Bulldogs to secure a 45-41 triumph.
“I am over the moon, it’s hard to describe how I feel about it to be honest,” Walker told Star News.
“The amount of work that they have all individually put in, and the way they have held each other to account, in terms of what they wanted to achieve, has delivered the ultimate success.
“It’s a great feeling, and a great reward for the team.”
Walker agreed that the start was a shocker.
“The start was weird to be honest because our starts have been good all season, but in finals our starts were our worst all year.
“We’ve always been behind the eight-ball, and I put that down to nerves, the pressure of success after finishing on top, and not wanting to let that slip.
“We just couldn’t shut them down in the first 15 minutes, and I’m not sure if that was nerves or the game-plan just didn’t work.
“They’ve definitely pushed us all season, and that led to a different line up for us on Saturday.
“When that didn’t come off I was worried for a minute, but I knew the girls would bounce back and get it done.
“Once we switched back to our regular starting line-up we started to get on top.”
The Sea Eagles were a different team from the second quarter onwards, with skipper Renee Pilkington returning to her regular station (GD), combining beautifully with Tayla Smith (GK) in defence and linking up well with Asha Boyd (WD) and Kelsey Buxton (C) through the midcourt.
Buxton controlled the rhythm of the match, speeding things up when necessary and slowing the tempo when required.
She was a thoroughly deserving best-on-court medallist.
Lanni Pryor (WA) also broke the game open with her relentless work ethic, while Tayla Robb (GA) was at her athletic best.
The Sea Eagles coach said the depth of talent at the club eventually shined through.
“The most satisfying thing for me is that it wasn’t just the eight from A Grade that got it done throughout the year, we always called on our B Graders and next rung down,” Walker said.
“And that’s probably testament to what I’ve been trying to do in terms of everyone getting the same skills, everyone getting the same game plans, we all work hard together, so when it came time to step up everyone was on the same page.
“That’s what we’ve tried to achieve…to have a whole squad approach.”
Walker said building a team from the middle reaches of the ladder, into a premiership-winning outfit, had come at a cost.
“This is probably the most tired I have been at the end of a season and finals series because I put so much effort into trying to help build the club into what we wanted right from the word go,” he said.
“It’s been the longest year, taken the most amount of energy, but it has produced some of the best quality netball I’ve seen in country leagues.
“I think all the teams in the league should be really proud that we push each other to that level.”
Walker was full of praise for a very worthy grand final opponent.
“Bunyip is a fantastic team,” he said.
“I’ve known Sam (Walker) since she was playing at Ellinbank, and she’s an absolute fighter and absolute gun and I knew she wouldn’t let it rest without a fight.
“We’ve had some great battles and that makes it all the more special.”
Fittingly, the premiership-winning coach signed off with a few acknowledgments.
“There are so many people, but I’ll limit it to four,” he said.
“Peter Butcher (Football president) doesn’t get enough acknowledgment for the netball side of things at the club, he has brought the football and netball together and that’s fantastic for the club moving forward.
“Kylie Strickland, our netball president, is always so supportive and has always given me what I’ve wanted in regards to coaching and keeping me informed.
“Sam Hume is one of the main reasons I came to IK.
“She is a long-time friend and she wanted me to come to Inverloch and was very persistent in getting me here.
“And obviously there’s Renee (Pilkington).
“I can’t do what I do without her, the way she demonstrates and explains things to the players are simply outstanding.
“She’s an absolute champion and the true essence of a club captain; she wants the best for everyone and never lets up in doing so.”
The pieces of the puzzle all game together…congratulations Inverloch-Kongwak on a thoroughly deserved A Grade premiership.
WGFNC NETBALL
GRAND FINAL SCORES
A GRADE: Bunyip 41 v Inverloch-Kongwak 45.
B GRADE: Tooradin-Dalmore 38 v Nar Nar Goon 36.
C GRADE: Inverloch-Kongwak 24 v Bunyip 39.
D GRADE: Bunyip 29 v Inverloch-Kongwak 24.
17 UNDER: Dalyston 31 v Phillip Island 33.
15 UNDER: Phillip Island 29 v Korumburra-Bena 22.
13 UNDER: Nar Nar Goon 13 v Phillip Island 27.
11 UNDER: Nar Nar Goon 26 v Inverloch-Kongwak 8.
BEST ON COURT
A GRADE: Kelsey Buxton Inverloch-Kongwak
B GRADE: Holly Gillespie Tooradin-Dalmore
C GRADE: Natalia Dijkstra Bunyip
D GRADE: Ashlee Smith Bunyip
17 UNDER: Lily Mewett Phillip Island
15 UNDER: Maya Huther Phillip Island
13 UNDER: Olivia Homes Phillip Island
11 UNDER: Kenzie Shave Nar Nar Goon
