By David Nagel
Inverloch-Kongwak has become the first ‘premiers and champions’ of WGFNC A Grade netball after the Sea Eagles completed a perfect season with a magnificent grand final victory over Tooradin-Dalmore on Saturday.
The sensational Sea Eagles came to the season-decider with 19 consecutive victories; aiming to make it 20 straight and send outgoing coach Jarrad Walker off in the best possible style.
It was tough, as all games are against the Seagulls, but Walker’s superstar outfit booked its place in history with a 47-38 triumph.
That’s back-to-back flags for Inverloch, who defeated Bunyip in a thrilling grand final last year.
Walker said the greatest strength of his team was something not measurable on a stats sheet.
“The team culture and connection, and commitment to whatever we do at training,” was Walker’s response.
“They’re all really accomplished athletes in their own right, but they respect what we’re trying to work on and they buy into that.
“They have belief in me, and the connection they have with each other.
“I’m the luckiest person alive, because I get to watch a team of superstars play every Saturday.
“I give them some insights, a little bit of coaching, and we work on stuff for sure, but I am the lucky one who gets to watch them play and watch how they go about their craft.
“They have a relationship and a connection with each other that I’ve never found before in any team.
“They care for each other away from the court as well.
“Yes, other teams have that, but I haven’t experienced it at this level ever before.”
The reigning champs burst out of the blocks in the first term, with Amy Scott (GA) capitalising on the great work of midcourters Kelsey Buxton (C), Lanni Pryor (WA) and Millie Sadler (WD), while Linsey Boddy (GK) and captain Renee Pilkington (GD) were keeping Alex Maher (GS) and Kelly Haynes (GA) under wraps.
The Sea Eagles led 14-6 at quarter time and a one-sided grand final looked possible.
But Tooradin has built its reputation on being resilient, and the Gulls clawed their way back into the contest with two winning quarters.
It’s the first time all season that IK had lost consecutive quarters of netball, leaving Inverloch six goals ahead with one stanza to play.
The Gulls threw everything at the Eagles, but the champs held firm to take home the most cherished prize in the game.
“It was cracking game, we started well and started the second quarter on fire as well,” Walker said.
“They started to eat away at it and our errors then came with it.
“It tightened up, and Tooradin is a quality team lead by great coaches, so we knew their capacity to come back.
“They did it last week against Nar Nar Goon, so we knew they wouldn’t lie down.
“We lost the second quarter by a goal, and they came out rocketing in the third and they were very confident in what they were doing and believed they could bring it back.
“We weathered the storm, got the group to refocus on what we wanted to achieve, and clicked back into gear in the last quarter and finished it off.
“It was a nervous and stressful game, but its finals and you have to enjoy being in the grind.
“We got challenged for 60 minutes…so it feels satisfying and feels like we deserve it.”
While Buxton was named best on court, Walker said two of his young stars played a key role.
“Amy Scott (GA) has stepped up into senior netball, and she was amazing for us, and I also thought Lanni Pryor has come along in leaps and bounds and is a superstar of the future,” he said.
“She’s a superstar now, but she’s going to be a real leader for the club.”
Walker said he will walk away with some great memories, but one stands out in particular….his connection with his captain Renee Pilkington.
“That’s what Renee and I have really focused on over the last two years, as player and coach, about having a connection, and I’m never going to lose that,” he said.
“That’s always going to be my favourite memory; getting to work with her and getting to see her play her best netball.”
Walker had some parting words for the people at Inverloch.
“I’m just very thankful to everyone in the community that gave me the opportunity and believed in me and the team, and believed what we could do.
“There are way too many people to thank…but just thanks everyone for the support.”
The Sea Eagles do know Walker’s replacement, but are not yet making the call.
