Sport
Mooroopna blitzes Shepparton in second half to claim GVL 17-and-under premiership and club’s first netball flag
Complete with a cheer comparable to a peal of thunder from its fans, Mooroopna’s 17-and-under side stamped its name in the annals by taking out the club’s maiden Goulburn Valley League netball flag.
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The Cats executed a second-half assault against Shepparton in the Deakin Reserve decider on Sunday morning, enveloped by a tide of navy blue as the score read 40-31 at the final hooter.
Mooroopna co-coach Bree Hanslow was tinged with relief and delight following the history-making victory.
“It was obviously a tight game there for probably the first three quarters,” she said.
“Even in the last quarter, we know Bears are a really quality team, so there was always a chance they might come back at us in that last quarter.
“But the girls were able to hang on and play some fantastic netball.
“They’re super happy to have been able to take the opportunity that they had today and end up with the win.”
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Sizing up: Mooroopna’s Addison Fiore. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 12
Sharp shooter: Mooroopna’s Mya Jesperson. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 12
Arms up: Shepparton’s Makayla Finn. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 12
The skipper: Mooroopna’s Mackenzie Clark. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 12
Pushing out: Shepparton’s Montanna Burke. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 12
Decisions: Mooroopna’s Jasmin Burke. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 12
Influential: Shepparton’s Mackenzie O'Dwyer. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 12
Busy bee: Mooroopna’s Demi Hendy. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 12
Running the centre: Mooroopna’s Bella Woods. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 12
Scrambling for ball: Shepparton’s Alahni Hulley. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 11 of 12
Absolute scenes: Mooroopna celebrates at the final hooter. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 12 of 12
Sea of blue: Mooroopna’s support base. Photo by Rechelle ZammitShepparton drew first blood, but the nerves were showing as goal shooter Alahni Hulley faltered with a string of early attempts.
Meanwhile, a battle of attrition played out through the middle of the court, Bears’ centre Mackenzie O’Dwyer everywhere with her intercept game on point.
Mooroopna was the more measured in attacking the arc, but neither side had a grip on the game.
Except for Bella Woods.
The Cats’ centre was a cool head among the chaos, helping her teammates to a 7-5 advantage at quarter-time.
Mooroopna got a run on early in the second as Shepparton resorted to risky passes and coughed up the ball.
However, Hulley soon found her feet as Shepparton began to turn the tide.
The grandstand end washed with maroon and yellow found its voice and all of a sudden one goal was the margin at the main break.
This game had more swings than a playground, but the biggest arrived after half-time.
Demi Hendy slotted into centre from wing attack and aided a massive roll-on from Mooroopna as the Cats drilled seven goals without reply.
Mya Jesperson refused to miss as the crowd at her back went berserk, baying for more.
And, as the third quarter ended, a sprinkling of stardust transcended the Cats into orbit.
Mooroopna defender Mackenzie Clark launched a hail mary from behind centre circle, the ball landing straight in Jesperson’s mitts who finished to put the Cats 30-22 up.
Then, in the first action of the last term, Mooroopna wheeled out the exact same move with the exact same result.
Lily Byers entered the fold in wing defence for Shepparton and held her own, but the resistance was futile as Mooroopna crashed home for its first netball premiership.
Hendy was named most valuable player in the nine-goal win, capping a near-perfect team performance in the eyes of Hanslow.
“Today our strategy was just to take it a quarter at a time and to make sure that we continued to support each other the whole way along,” she said.
“They executed our plan beautifully which was great.”
Senior Sports Journalist