North Ballarat City’s premiership success came down to an inspired display in the final quarter of Saturday’s Ballarat Football Netball League grand final.
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With just one goal separating North and East Point heading into the fourth term of the A-grade contest, experienced coach Annie McCartin’s three-worded message rang loud and clear.
Make it count.
The players responded with one of their best quarters of netball for the year, withstanding the physical defensive pressure of East Point to secure a seven-goal victory at Mars Stadium.
“East was right on their tails. We went into the last quarter only one (goal) up and so they knew they had to dig deep and that’s what they did,” McCartin said.
“When you know that you have to give 110 per cent more than what you were giving, I was so proud of them... they had to really work, because the pressure was so physical out there.
“They knew they had to find that extra bit.”
East Point, wary of its slow start against North in a semi final two weeks ago, came out of the blocks firing with seven of the first 11 goals and the lead throughout the first term of the grand final.
But the momentum swung North’s way in the second quarter as the players refused to let another tilt at the premiership slip.
The heat intensified in the third term as East Point continued to press, before North found another gear with the help of the electric atmosphere around the court.
McCartin did not feel the need to make any changes to a recipe that has been working for North all season, believing the work the players had already done and the “make it count” theme would be enough.
“That’s all they had to do, every pass, every turnover, every attacking play, every defensive pressure, I told them to just make it count,” she said after the game.
“But you can’t beat the support (on the sidelines). The girls lifted because they knew everyone was behind them to get over that line.”
North previously tasted premiership success in 2015 when it defeated Sunbury.
Since then, North has suffered two heartbreaking grand final losses, in extra time to East Point in 2016 and to Sunbury last year.
“I don’t think you could ever put it in words, it’s just the best thing,” McCartin said after the game.
“We’ve worked so hard, we’ve been in the last couple of grand finals and we just couldn’t get across the line.
“To get across the line today, and I knew how much it meant to everybody, not just the girls and myself but to families and the whole club, it is just the best.”
North Ballarat City’s young gun Madison Selmon was awarded best on court for her work around the goals, shooting with an accuracy of 92 per cent.
East Point’s Jo Bayles, who co-coaches with Sarah Bourke, commended her players on their season and said she was proud of what the team had put together with new blood coming in.
Lakers claim three trophies
Lake Wendouree came out of Ballarat Football Netball League’s grand final day as the club with the most success on the netball court after claiming three premierships.
The dream run started early on Saturday with the Lakers prevailing in a thrilling battle with Ballarat at Mars Stadium in 19/under competition ending in extra time.
After an even first quarter, Lake Wendouree started to find some momentum late in the second term to build a handy half-time buffer.
But the break came at the right time for the Swans, which were able to reset and start the second half with fight and determination.
With only minutes left, Ballarat managed to take the lead multiple times but Lake Wendouree kept its cool and drew level before lifting in the latter stages of extra time to win by three goals.
Lake Wendouree backed up in the D-grade grand final defeating East Point by five goals after getting out of the blocks quickly to ensure the Kangaroos did the chasing.
While the Lakers led at every break, East Point won the second term and drew level in the third to keep the contest alive.
The day culminated for Lake Wendouree with the B-grade premiership after defeating Sunbury by two goals.
After a tight contest between the sides, Lakers found momentum in the fourth term before a lapse allowed a late surge from Sunbury and provided a small scare.
But Sunbury was deemed C-grade premiers with a six-goal victory over Ballarat.
Melton South claimed the E-grade premiership over Ballarat by two-goals in a thriller after contemplating whether or not to have a team earlier in the year.