With eight players and a single training session in the books, Goulburn Valley League probably wasn’t imagining a goal-for-goal shootout in the open women’s grand final of the Netball Victoria Association Championships in Melbourne.
But that’s precisely what it got against Murray Netball League in Sunday’s decider, with GVL reigning supreme for its first title in the bracket in three years.
After a hard-fought 15-15 draw with MNL in the round-robin and a 16-12 victory over Hampden in the semi-finals, GVL seemed poised for triumph in the Parkville final, clinging to a fragile one-goal lead with 10 seconds on the clock.
An errant GVL pass almost spelled disaster as Murray pounced, but a fling towards its goal ring was intercepted decisively by Shepparton United’s Grace McInneny to confirm the league’s billing as the top association.
Playing coach Shinea Sali said it was a tense few moments.
“It was goal-for-goal,” Sali said.
“We actually had the ball down our end with 30 seconds to go and we were playing pretty much (playing) keepings off, just passing it around.
“We threw one bad ball with 10 seconds to go.
“They flung it down their end, but Grace McInneny came through with a big intercept and saved the day.”
Against the Grace Hammond-led MNL, Sali knew her side would need its best netball to topple its neighbouring rival after it dispatched Ovens and Murray by seven goals in the preceding semi-final.
However, with nine gruelling matches already under its belt in a single day, the team's resolve was truly put to the test.
“We didn't know what to expect, but honestly, the netball we put on yesterday, I was just so amazed by,” Sali said.
“Everyone wanted to be there and everyone put in 100 per cent; the eight girls yesterday just played amazingly, (I) couldn't ask for more.
“But it was a big day ... after eight games of netball, we were stuffed.”
The open netball team's triumph was one part of Goulburn Valley League's impressive showing, as it was one of two GVL representatives to secure championship titles.
The under-15s dropped only one game en route to the grand final against St Albans Caroline Springs Netball Association, where they were victorious by three goals.
Mentored by Kelly Hill, the 11-8 victory cuts a proud slice of history for the side, claiming GVL’s first title in the age group.