Shepparton East completed an unbeaten season on Saturday, triumphing in emphatic fashion to claim the A grade Kyabram District League netball premiership.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The pursuit of perfection came to fruition for Shepparton East in the Kyabram District League A grade netball competition throughout this season, and on Saturday, the Eagles engineered the perfect outcome.
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With a commanding performance from the first whistle, the Eagles soared to a 46-30 triumph over Girgarre to clinch the premiership, capping a remarkable season that yielded 16 regular season wins and two finals victories.
With only the reigning premier standing between it and a perfect season, Shepparton East set out with intent, and despite falling behind early as the zippy Roos midcourt set off at a hot pace.
Even though they were a goal down at quarter-time, the Eagles looked imposing all over the court, bringing plenty of physicality and forcing the Roos to look laboured in their efforts to find an avenue to goal.
At 13-12, the Eagles took the lead once again, and this time they never bothered to look back.
With expansive passing, sharp movement, and an unrelenting, almost desperate pressure defensively, the Eagles made the decisive move, going on a run of 11 unanswered goals to blow the contest to bits.
The intensity from those in blue and white lifted after the main break, and the margin was cut to six at one point as Girgarre found a way to score consecutive goals, however, the Eagles were able to find a response to every goal.
Girgarre was valiant, never wavering in its commitment until the final siren, but the slick Eagles machine was overpowering, romping to the 16-goal victory in emphatic fashion.
Sarah Maskell was named the most valuable player by the umpires, having hounded the Girgarre midcourters and forced multiple turnovers when the game was there to be won in the second term.
Shepparton East's Sarah Maskell was named best on court in the triumph.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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The Eagles celebrate after claiming the A grade premiership.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Girgarre’s midcourt was stifled by Shepparton East in the decider.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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The Eagles proved too strong across the court.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton East stormed to a dominant victory in the decider on Saturday.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Girgarre was valiant in defeat.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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The Eagles were miserly in defence, holding Girgarre to its lowest score of the season.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton East fans mobbed the court following the win, celebrating with players.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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The Eagles covered the court superbly, making every attack look laboured for the Roos.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Eagles playing co-coach Kate Durling, who alongside her fellow mentor Erynn Hueston, led an A and B grade Shepparton East double, said the feeling at the final siren was unmatched.
“There's always sort of nerves and a little bit of pressure, knowing that you were undefeated,” she said.
“But we knew that we were the team to beat and that we had to hold that up, and (we knew) that they were going to come and keep coming.
“It was a matter of staying with them until we were able to take it forward.”
