Sport

HDNL | Elmore breaks premiership drought

By Bransen Gibson

Sep 4, 2022

Premiers: Elmore is celebrating its first premiership triumph in five decades after it defeated White Hills on Saturday. Photo: Steve Huntley

It is finally over.

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After a premiership drought that lasted more than 50 years, Elmore is the Heathcote District Netball League A-grade premier once again after an eight-goal win over White Hills on Saturday.

The Bloods led at every change in the first-versus-second decider as they claimed their first flag in more than five decades with the 55-47 triumph.

It was only fitting that the grand final came down to a contest between Elmore and White Hills, with the two teams the standout performers in the home-and-away season.

The Demons had claimed the minor premiership and boasted two wins over the Bloods this season including a 61-56 win earlier in the finals, but it was Elmore who got the job done on the big day.

The Bloods led by four goals after the first quarter and extended their advantage to seven at one point in the second term, before White Hills responded to cut the margin to three at half-time.

Unfortunate end: White Hills had been hoping to claim its third premiership in a row, but fell short of the three-peat after losing to Elmore on Saturday. Photo: Steve Huntley

But the Bloods pulled away again in the third quarter as their lead grew out to eight goals at three-quarter time. They then held White Hills at arm’s length in the final stanza as they cruised to premiership glory.

Tahnee Cannon put in a stellar performance for Elmore that saw her claim the player-of-the-match honours.

Winning the flag caps off a strong two seasons for the Bloods, who finished on top of the ladder in 2021 with 10 wins, one draw and no defeats before the season was called off.

While the result was a drought-breaker for Elmore, it ended a different kind of run for White Hills.

The Demons had won the past two grand finals dating back to 2018, but their quest for a three-peat came up short.

White Hills had finished on top of the ladder with just one loss in 2022 — to Elmore back in round five — and had won 11 in a row before their grand final defeat.