STRATHFIELDSAYE has defied plenty of odds to be crowned BFNL A-reserve premiers for the first time, after surviving a one-goal thriller against Gisborne in an epic grand final at the QEO on Saturday. or signup to continue reading A goal after the siren by Siarne Cass delivered the Storm a breathtaking 40-39 victory against the previously undefeated minor premiers and red-hot premiership favourites. It was the Storm's first netball premiership success since their B-reserve win in 2019.
A see-sawing contest was marked by many lead changes, with the Bulldogs holding a two-goal lead at quarter time and the Storm in front by three-goals at half-time, before scores were tied at three-quarter time. In a frenetic finish to a fiercely contested encounter, Cass scored the last two goals of the match, about 80 seconds apart, to give Strathfieldsaye a rousing win. The Storm's Victoria Carroll was the winner of the best on court medal for an uncompromising performance in defence.
The club's first A-reserve premiership was hard won, after the Storm lost midcourter Amaya Schmidt early in the contest with a knee injury. Their misfortune was compounded when goaler and captain Lucy Spalding hit the court late in the second quarter. Spalding, the joint winner of the league's Holborn Medal alongside Kangaroo Flat's Emma Moroney this season, had to be checked for concussion, but was able to return to the court in the final quarter to play an influential role in the win.
Even getting to the grand final was a battle in itself. The Storm, who finished the regular season in second place, were beaten by 11 goals in the qualifying final by Sandhurst. They rebounded to defeat a pumped-up Maryborough by 10 goals in the first semi-final, before turning the tables on the Dragons in the preliminary final in a three-goal thriller.
Taking the hard road to a premiership only made it more special, according to Storm coach Kirsten Pollock. "Gisborne has been undefeated for the whole season and have been really strong competitors, but we just knew our style of play and kept to our guns, playing as we wanted to play," she said. "That's really produced the goods for us today.
"We have done it a very hard way. But I think it worked to our advantage in the end, as we had the match-fitness." Pollock was quick to declare the premiership 'for everyone at the club' and a thank you for their support.
"As a club, they have been behind the netballers the entire time," she said. "We had training on Thursday night and all the footballers and all the netball players came down to get behind us. "We all had dinner together and we'll all celebrate together.
It's been such an amazing atmosphere at the club this season. "The culture is great and one that is supportive of everyone." Grand final wins don't come any more nerve-racking than having to wait for a shot on goal after the siren.
Pollock insisted she had full confidence Cass would convert the winner. "Siarne shoots at close to 90 per cent every single game and she has worked so hard this season to get her mindset right and her accuracy right," she said. "She is so great to coach and so great to play with.
"To win it by a goal is amazing. It couldn't get any better." Pollock said being able to get Spalding back onto the court in the final quarter had helped steady the side.
"She's our captain and she absolutely drives this team and they all get behind her," she said. "They love her. "She's had a very big year - a league best and fairest and a premiership winner.
All so very deserving." We have done it a very hard way. But I think it worked to our advantage in the end, as we had the match-fitness Gisborne was not spared from the high-attrition rate, with goaler Alex Russ taking no further part in the game after going off with an ankle injury in the second quarter.
Pollock praised a sterling performance in defence by best on court medallist Carroll as pivotal to the win. "She's a beautiful defender, not a natural defender, which makes it very hard for an attacker to play against," she said. "She is so unorthodox, but she just plays her style.
She is so clean-cut and so athletic and just keeps giving." Others to shine for the Storm included impressive young defender Layla O'Shea and midcourter Lainey Pollard, both members of last season's 17-and-under team. Among the proudest aspects of the triumph for Pollock was the premiership medal dangling around the neck of defender and the Storm's A-grade coach Steph Freemantle.
While the Storm were unable to advance past the elimination final in their first A-grade finals series since 2015, Pollock said it was satisfying to see the club's netball leader win some reward for her enormous contribution and efforts not only this season, but throughout her tenure as A-grade coach. "Steph is amazing in the sense that she never stops; she is such a workhorse throughout the court," she said. "Whether it's at training or on game day, she is inspirational to all the players and all the supporters.
They all get behind her. "She is family, basically." DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team.
WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered.
WEEKLY Every Sunday explore destinations, deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around Australia and the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp.
Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more.
TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over.
AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia.
Fresh daily!.
