THE Millicent Netball Club enjoyed one of its most special days on Saturday, when it claimed its 11th consecutive A Grade Western Border Netball Association premiership on its home court at McLaughlin Park.
The Saints have been the dominant force of the sport throughout the past decade and proved why on a dream day out.
Across all junior and senior grades, the home side remarkably won six of the nine flags on offer.
The achievement reflects the club’s incredible depth and talent within the sport, after Millicent won all-but one junior premiership.
But the A Grade side was forced to overcome a number of challenges to achieve the remarkable feat.
The Saints’ most notable threat was a determined opponent in East Gambier, while wet conditions also complicated proceedings.
A shock defeat was on the cards after the Bulldogs enjoyed the early advantage.
East led by two goals at quarter time and appeared at its best to take the game down to the final whistle.
Millicent found its groove in the second term and hit the lead, but heavy rain impacted proceedings and a tough contest eventuated.
After four evenly-matched quarters the Saints showed their class in the slippery conditions to hold onto an eight-goal win.
Demi Verbena played a stand-out role in goal attack and ensured Millicent’s pace did not let up all game to be named best on court.
Verbena said the victory will take some time to settle in and pointed out her side’s ability to win turnovers after the Bulldogs’ fast start.
“It is pretty crazy and it has not sunk in yet and probably will not for a while,” she said.
“We always knew they (East) were going to come out firing after they played a blinder last week.
“They contested it for the first half, but then we were able to slowly get some turnovers and capitalise to get a few more goals up.”
Verbena said her individual success was a small part of a strong all-round effort and paid credit to her team mates.
“It is a good feeling, but you are only as good as your team around you,” she said.
“I could not have got it without the other girls as well.”
Millicent coach Donna Denton described her team as a “special group”, which made it stand out from its 10 predecessors.
Denton said the achievement is more satisfying after winning with the club’s youngest A Grade side in many years.
“Each year is a unique group and special for a different reason,” she said.
“This year was even more different with so many young ones.
“The age average came right down with one 15-year-old and three 16-year-old players out there.
“We have lots of talented kids and to be able to keep bringing them through is the future of our club.”
Denton said the Bulldogs won the early momentum and put up a strong fight.
East came into the game in strong form after it won its preliminary final against West Gambier in stunning fashion.
The underdogs used the same plan to snatch the lead and pushed the formidable Saints side up to the final whistle.
Denton said the turning point was in the second term when Millicent rediscovered its running game and began to slow the Bulldogs’ movement with many turnovers
“They played well in the preliminary final and just moved the ball,” she said.
“It meant we had to step up defensively to stop them because they worked their game plan well.
“Once we got our attacking game going and turned some balls over, we used our speed and that was the key.
“It was not until late in the last quarter until we really went ahead.”
Denton said Verbena was the nucleus behind the momentum swing.
“Demi set the pace for us,” she said.
“She is the most experienced across the line and I thought she ran well.”
Denton said the most memorable moment of the day was not the A Grade win itself, but the Saints’ dominance across all junior grades at home.
Millicent won the Under 17 and 13A deciders, while it also blitzed the Under 15 competition with flags in both A and B grades.
Denton said to win so six premierships is a well-deserved result after many hours of hard work.
“It has been 20 years of netball for me here, but the most special aspect was our club winning six netball grand finals,” she said.
“It has been hard work building a strong club and to do it at home is even sweeter.”
