Murray Netball League A Grade premier for 2026, Nathalia.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
12 months ago, Nathalia lost the Murray Netball League A-grade grand final.
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The Purples emphatically made sure it didn’t happen again in 2026.
In a ruthless masterclass described by winning coach Tracey Brereton as ‘clinical’, the Purples rained a shooting barrage on the Blues to dish out one of the biggest MNL grand final blowouts in history.
The initial five minutes went goal for goal, but it was evident early on that Nathalia’s goalshooting giant Jane Cook was in fine touch.
The lead stretched out to 17-11 at quarter time, and it was clear Tongala had a fierce challenge on its hands to breakthrough for another netball premiership across the grades at Moama Recreation Reserve.
However, Nathalia was in no mood to let this one slip.
A battle of towering goalshooters played out but Milly Brock’s efforts were unable to match those of Cook.
At half time, the lead had doubled to 12 goals.
It nearly doubled again to three quarter time.
Leading 37-60 with 15 minutes to play, smiles crept onto Purples players on the green Moama asphalt as the final quarter played out.
But yet still Nathalia put the foot on the throat.
Overwhelmed by the Purples’ defensive prowess and scoreboard pressure, Tongala looked to second guess its attacking options at time across the second half, while the equation was simple for Nathalia.
Send it in to Cook.
Cook finished with a monster 70 goals by full time, as the final score was a staggering one to behold, 78-44.
Nathalia had just about saved its best until last, with 78 being the Purples’ second highest tally of the year.
Nathalia goal attack Stephanie Gorrie seemed to go unheralded for her passing into the goal circle to Cook and movement off the ball, but the umpire’s made sure that wasn’t the case, with Gorrie named best on court in Nathalia’s redemption story.
After the heartache of 2025, Brereton was ecstatic.
“A 78-44 margin in a grand final, it’s just extraordinary,” she said.
“But that’s exactly what we’ve been like all year - it was business, clinical.
“After the game stopped last year, the motivation has been there.”
It’s a 19-year premiership drought broken for Nathalia, and for Brereton.
She led the Purples to their previous A-grade flag in 2007, and nearly two decades later, she has guided the Purples back to the MNL promised land.
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