Germany is world renowned for its pursuit of precision, a quest which is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric, and one which results in structure, efficiency and overall excellence.
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That pursuit of precision was shared by Shepparton East in the Kyabram District League A grade netball competition throughout this season, and on Saturday, the Eagles engineered the perfect outcome.
With a commanding performance from the first whistle, the Eagles soared to a 46-30 triumph over Girgarre to clinch the premiership, capping a remarkable season that yielded 16 regular season wins and two finals victories without a single blemish and returning to the promised land they inhabited in 2023.
With only the reigning premier standing between it and a perfect season, Shepparton East set out with intent, and despite falling behind early as the zippy Roos midcourt set off at a hot pace, soon hit the front for the first time at 8-7, although found itself trailing 10-11 at the first break after a Girgarre goal on the quarter-time siren.
Even though they were a goal down, the Eagles looked imposing all over the court, bringing plenty of physicality for a supposedly non-contact sport and forcing the Roos to look laboured in their efforts to find an avenue to goal.
It was an arm wrestle to start the second term, as Girgarre continued to take it up to East, however soon enough the strength of the unbeaten side won out.
At 13-12, the Eagles took the lead once again, and this time they never bothered to look back.
With expansive passing, sharp movement, and an unrelenting, almost desperate pressure defensively, the Eagles made the decisive move, going on a run of 11 unanswered goals to blow the contest to bits, suddenly racing out to a 22-12 lead before half time to leave Girgarre reeling, with the likes of Sarah Maskell, Laticia Keady and Lauren James coming to the fore to propel East into an ascendant position.
While the Roos finally broke the Shepparton East stronghold on scoring to cut the margin to eight by half time, they still trailed 15-23, and it would take something almighty to turn the tide.
The intensity from those in blue and white lifted after the main break, and the margin was cut to six at one point as Girgarre found a way to score consecutive goals, however, the Eagles were able to find a response to every goal as the margin hovered around the seven-goal mark, before ultimately pushing it back out to nine goals by the final change, with the Eagles proving far too polished around the court.
As the final term begun, it was clear Shepparton East were not going to let the win slip from their grasp, as they fought over every loose ball and scrapped manically in defence, even as the advantage climbed into double digits.
Girgarre was valiant, never wavering in its commitment until the final siren, but the slick Eagles machine was overpowering, romping to the 16-goal victory in emphatic fashion.
In such a complete team performance from the Eagles it was a genuine raffle as to who was named best on court, however Sarah Maskell was named the most valuable player by the umpires, having hounded the Girgarre midcourters and forced multiple turnovers when the game was there to be won in the second term.
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Shepparton East's Sarah Maskell was named best on court in the triumph. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 9
The Eagles celebrate after claiming the A grade premiership. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 9
Girgarre’s midcourt was stifled by Shepparton East in the decider. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 9
The Eagles proved too strong across the court. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 9
Shepparton East stormed to a dominant victory in the decider on Saturday. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 9
Girgarre was valiant in defeat. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 9
The Eagles were miserly in defence, holding Girgarre to its lowest score of the season. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 9
Shepparton East fans mobbed the court following the win, celebrating with players. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 9
The Eagles covered the court superbly, making every attack look laboured for the Roos. Photo by Rechelle ZammitEagles playing co-coach Kate Durling, who alongside her fellow mentor Erynn Hueston, led an A and B grade Shepparton East double, said the feeling at the final siren was unmatched.
“Elation,” was the overwhelming emotion, she said.
“A lot of hard work, a lot of dedication and a lot of sacrifice (went into this), and I'm just so glad that we could get over the line today.”
While Durling admitted there was a little bit of tension heading into the decider just one game away from a perfect season, her group was steadfast in their belief that they were the best side and were ultimately proved correct.
“There's always sort of nerves and a little bit of pressure, knowing that you were undefeated,” she said.
“But we knew that we were the team to beat and that we had to hold that up, and (we knew) that they were going to come and keep coming.
“It was a matter of staying with them until we were able to take it forward.”
Take it forward they did, with margin in the end comfortable enough for the Eagles to soak in the final few moments and bask in the glory of their accomplishment, before a huge contingent of fans mobbed the court at the final whistle.
“(The feeling was) amazing,” Durling said.
“Being a playing coach is hard, to see changes and things like that, and Erynn obviously helped me.
“But to win, and to win like that, you could just feel it on the court in the last five minutes, and it was a really nice feeling.”