The Magpies faced Tantanoola in Saturday’s grand final at Glenoce and had to work hard for the win.
At the end of the day just eight goals separated the two sides, but the Magpies – as many expected – were on top when the final whistle blew.
To look back through the list of premiership winners, the Magpies have certainly dominated the competition, especially since 1994, where they have lost just three titles – all to Port MacDonnell.
In contrast the Tigers have won just two titles and had not tasted success since 1977, but that meant little as the Kalangadoo juggernaut went to work on Saturday.
Despite history leaning towards the Magpies and the atrocious weather conditions, the Tigers took the challenge head on, pushing the eventual premiers for the full four quarters.
The opening term went goal-for-goal, with Emma Gould the focal point in the circle for Tantanoola.
Tantanoola goal keeper Olivia Fuller applied plenty of pressure to Kalangadoo goalies Abbey Duncan and Melissa Russell, with the Tigers two goals up mid way through the first term.
However, the Magpies steadied through Kirsty Egan and Duncan and levelled the scores by the first break.
Tantanoola came out strong again in the second term, upsetting Kalangadoo’s game plan to be three goals up midway through the quarter.
Fuller continued her hard work in the circle, but loose passing by the Tigers allowed Kalangadoo to steady and close the margin to one goal.
Kate Varcoe and Jami Walker lifted the intensity in attack for Tantanoola, which saw the lead back to two goals as the quarter wound down, but the Magpies closed that margin to be again level at the main break.
The third quarter continued in the same vein, with neither side able to make a decisive break early.
The Magpies eventually broke the deadlock, pushing out to a three-goal advantage, before the Tigers returned serve and tied the game up yet again.
By the time the final term arrived both sides were in with a shot, with the Tigers pushing their more-fancied rivals to the limit.
Missed opportunities by Tantanoola allowed Kalangadoo to pull out to a three-goal lead in the final quarter, before their experienced heads settled and the margin was suddenly out to seven goals.
Despite their best efforts, the Tigers were simply unable to close that margin, which crept out to eight at the final whistle.
Duncan was voted best on court for the game.
For Magpies coach Kirsty Egan it was a special win after such a strong challenge from Tantanoola, along with a tough season which has seen plenty of injury concerns.
“It was a tough game and every win is very special,” she said.
“It is a great feeling to be on the court with your team mates and your friends and be able to celebrate success together.”
Despite such a tough challenge from the Tigers, Egan said there was never any panic among the group.
“We do not panic too much, because we have been down and know we can fight our way back,” she said.
“We have the ability and belief in each other, so it was more about continuing to focus on our game and trying to interrupt their flow, to try to do the little one-percenters that make the difference.”
Egan said she expected a tough challenge from Tantanoola, with such a young, hungry side.
But in the end it was the ability of her players to draw on their experience which made the difference.
“We had not pushed each other as much as we could have throughout the game,” she said.
“We did not play our normal fast style and I think we did that more in the last quarter.
“We took a few more risks and they payed off.
“Once you chip away and get a little bit of a break, sometimes that can impact on the other team, then we were able to push on a little bit.”
Injuries have certainly played their part in the Magpies season, but Egan said they were able to draw on the strength of the club as a whole to ensure the ultimate prize.
That resulted in certain players involved in three premierships on the on the day.
“Keryl Ousey played in the 17s, in the A Reserves, then she sat on the bench for the A Grade,” Egan said.
“She also got to play with her mother in the A Reserves, which was pretty special.
“Chelsea Croser played in the 17s and got best on court, then sat on the bench for the A Reserve and A Grade as well.
“She played quite a few A Grade games during the year.
“They were involved in three premierships on the one day, which is pretty impressive.”
Overall Egan said the club enjoyed its success over so many years due to the culture cultivated at Kalangadoo.
“You are not going to have the same amount of personnel over the years, so we have had lots of different people involved,” she said.
“There is always a new wave of people coming through and young kids getting an opportunity.
“It is a very family-friendly club.
“We are passionate about supporting our kids, having good coaching staff, making sure the culture is always positive and that we always play with good sportsmanship.
“All those values are important to the club and it must show, because we have kids who go away to Uni then come back and want to play for us, or players who have gone to another club, then come back.”
The Magpies contested four netball grand finals on Saturday, with three flags for their efforts.
Egan said that made for a special night at the club.
“We all went back to the club and it was a pretty good feel,” she said.
“The B Grade girls lost, but they still made a grand final, which was pretty impressive.
“We had a really good night together.”
