PDL ǀ Gallery ǀ ‘Cinderella story’ unfolds as Katandra secures under-13 flag

Kats mentor Jade Naylor said her side was well-prepared for a hard-fought grand final battle.

“It was tight and it was tough and we knew it was going to be like that,” Naylor said.

“We knew it was always going to be a battle, but the girls had the belief and the skills, so it was going to be a hard game.

“They were able to keep strong and pull through which is a real credit to them.”

Naylor said she and her girls had been on a netballing journey during the past two years and to finish with a premiership was testament to their hard work and belief during that time.

“It’s a bit of a Cinderalla story for us, we’ve come an exceptionally long way,” she said.

“I remember that first game last year, I thought ‘what have I gotten myself into here’.

“We won only six games for the year and this year that was win number 15, we’ve had an incredible journey.”

A standout MVP performance from Eve Cook set the tone for the Kats and Naylor was full of praise for her MVP and every single one of her players.

“It was a real collaborative effort today,” she said.

“We’ve got some really strong girls that stood up, our goal shooter Shylah Heggart, our goal keeper and our goal defence Alex Smith and Addison Wardle.

“Eve Cook in that centre gave us that drive — those four girls are a strong point that help the girls around them settle into the game.”