It's taken three consecutive seasons, two runner-up finishes and an undefeated campaign for Canberra Netball Association to be crowned division-one State League champions.
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Canberra defeated Arawang 62-52 at ACT Netball Centre on Sunday to claim their first title in seven years. It comes after the club finished the season undefeated, which was a major feat considering they had a brand-new side.
Canberra dominated the first-quarter as Arawang struggled to feed the goal circle and convert their turnovers.
An intercept in the opposing circle with ten seconds to spare saw Canberra swiftly bring the ball back down the court and double Arawang's score 20-20 by the quarter-time whistle.
"It was really good to come out firing from the outset and put Arawang on the backfoot," coach Tara Steel said.
"We got one or two key intercepts in that quarter and capitalised on them. I'm really proud of our girls, no matter what line up I put out there they just stuck to their job."
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The second quarter went goal-for-goal until Canberra goal-attack Amy Pascoe missed a shot in the eighth minute.
Arawang capitalised on the opportunity and caused a held-ball in the next centre-pass to take back control and score two consecutive goals.
But Canberra's Simone Coote took a vital intercept in Arawang's goal circle and the score blew-out to 42-25 at halftime.
Arawang coach Kim Symons moved captain Leigh Kalsbeek to centre and star mid-courter Eliza Burton to wing-defence at halftime to generate speed in the defensive third and put pressure on Canberra's shooters.
"We had to isolate and double team Nalani Mukunde in the circle, so our wing-defence and centre had to be able to have the speed to go back-and-forth between a goal-attack and mid-court challenge," Symons said.
"They lifted up and our defensive pressure gave us more danger."
The tactical change worked wonders. Kalsbeek, took an intercept just two minutes into the final quarter to spark an Arawang comeback.
A Jordyn Kearney rebound and an Eliza Burton intercept brought the margin down to eight goals.
Steel brought captain Pascoe back onto the court at goal-attack for the final quarter to retake control and comfortably finish the match.
"I kept looking up at the clock and was sweating a bit on the bench," Steel admitted.
"But I had full confidence in the team and our ability to hold on. I would have liked to finish the game how we started but I'll take a ten-goal win in a grand final, I can't be too critical.
"I'm so proud of the girls and we've set a new benchmark for next season to keep contesting."
AT A GLANCE:
State League divison-one final: Canberra 62 bt Arawang 52.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
