Historic Victor Harbor netball grand final run continues on Saturday

It will be the Victor Harbor A Grade netball side’s 15th straight grand final on Saturday, when they aim for revenge against Willunga after last season’s loss.

Victor Harbor's A Grade netball team will play its 15th Grand Final in a row on Saturday, the longest run in SA since Kalangadoo's 25 in a row. Picture: Supplied

In one of the most remarkable South Australian sporting achievements in recent memory, Victor Harbor’s A-grade will play its 15th consecutive netball grand final on Saturday.

It is the biggest milestone in local netball since Kalangadoo’s 25th grand final in a row in 2018.

The side takes on Willunga in the Great Southern Netball Association’s season finale, the third straight time the two have clashed in the big dance.

While Victor Harbor lost last year after controversially having two players sent off, their hit rate of nine wins and five losses over the past 14 seasons is something which never fails to impress coach Pauline Edwards.

“They clearly hate to lose,” she said of her team.

“It’s an amazing achievement when you think about it. The first year we won we thought that was pretty amazing and then when we made it and won the next year we thought ‘well we’ve done well here’, but to keep it going for 15 years has been unbelievable.”

Edwards moved to Victor Harbor in 1984 and was a playing coach until 1996.

She then experienced a few years as assistant coach under netball legend Marg Angove at the Thunderbirds before returning to Victor to coach the A-grade side in 2001.

Victor Harbor Wing Attack Alicia Montgomerie has been involved in all 15 grand final seasons. Picture: Supplied

Having been around the game as a player and coach almost her whole life, the club stalwart said she hasn’t seen many teams like this one.

“It makes me very proud. I’ve coached for a long time but this has just been a special group,” Edwards said.

“It’s one of those groups you’re lucky to get; this just doesn’t happen.

“It’s been fantastic. We’ve had the same core of girls for a long time – Di Johns and Alicia Montgomerie have been here for the full 15 – and we’re like a family.”

Many could be forgiven for thinking the team’s drive and determination might have dipped in 15 years.

But, Edwards believes the team is hungrier than ever after last season’s disappointing loss to this weekend’s opponent, Willunga.

Victor Harbor's A Grade netball veteran Di Johns will play her 15th grand final in a row on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

“Mentally dealing with last season’s loss and the fallout from it is one of the hardest things we’ve done,” she said.

“Most of us honestly felt unmotivated but we had a meeting at the start of this year where we discussed it and I think that was good for us.

“The girls are incredibly motivated. I don’t want to say they have a point to prove but there’s a bit of retribution to be had.”

While Saturday’s result is still up in the air, one guarantee is this Victor Harbor team will go down in history.