MILLICENT goes down in history after it won its ninth consecutive Western Border Netball Association A Grade premiership flag on Saturday with a six-goal victory over East Gambier at Island Park in Casterton.
The Saints got the job done in a low-scoring affair, but it was not without a fight from the Bulldogs.
After a disappointing performance in the 2016 grand final, East was determined to step up its game and put in a solid performance.
And that it did.
The Bulldogs were strong from the outset with the defensive duo of Brenna McKay and Bo Creek giving Millicent’s attack line grief.
Millicent composed early and held a small lead, but the Bulldogs soon clawed back into the contest.
Keah Lynch used her speed at goal attack and combined well with co-coaches Audine Bryant and Lisa Duldig.
At the other end Hayley Dunn set up well on goal shooter Sarah Lock, while goal defender Kimmi Varcoe hunted the intercept.
However, Tenille Gray kept East in the contest with accurate shooting and solid positioning in the circle.
An even battle between Tarsh McCallum and Duldig through the centre was an intriguing match up in the opening term, while Madi Turner was doing well to curb the influence of Morgan Amy on the defensive wing.
At the first break it was Millicent who held the lead by a solitary goal, 11-12.
Some impressive defensive work by Creek and McKay put the Bulldogs into overdrive and they not only broke into the contest and stopped the Saints’ run, but took over the lead.
However, Millicent soon went into damage control and stepped things up a notch to bounce back into the contest.
The scores were level with just seconds remaining in the quarter, but East was able to get the ball into the hands on Gray who shot accurately without hesitation.
As the whistle sounded, the Bulldogs held a one-goal lead, 24-23, at the long break.
East did not drop its performance in the third, but the Saints marched through and found yet another gear.
Donna Denton and Lynch combined well in the goal circle despite the constant pressure of Creek and McKay to put the game back in their side’s favour.
If it were not for the accuracy of Gray, the Bulldogs could have dropped further out of the contest, but East trailed by three, 33-36 at the final break.
It is no secret Millicent was some-what used to the pressure that finals bring, but in the last both sides were rattled.
The Bulldogs injected A Reserve association runner-up best and fairest Jacinta Clark into the contest on the defensive wing and her competitiveness and hunger for the intercept saw the Bulldogs lift.
The game was still up in the air, but it was the Saints who soon showed composure and found a way to score.
Creek and McKay were at their best in defence, but the pressure was felt by East who started to make mistakes.
In the dying moments of the match Millicent’s wing defence Turner managed some crucial turnovers, which allowed the Saints to break away to their eventual winning margin of six, 48-42.
The small scoreline proved the competitive contest that had spectators on the edge of their seats.
The Saints’ Bryant was awarded best on court by the umpires due to her solid four-quarter effort on the attacking wing.
In completion of the game, Millicent’s Duldig commended East on its efforts in what was a well-fought grand final.
“East played brilliantly in the preliminary final and then came out in the grand final and gave us an absolute run for our money,” she said.
“We were packing it.
“It shows that their hard work has really paid off.”
With a ninth premiership on the trot an outstanding effort by any margin, Duldig congratulated her team on another stellar season.
“We have had some really tough games this season,” she said.
“It is what we all need.
“It has put us back into having to really work hard and having those challenges to see where we need to improve so it has been really good for us.”
