Colts Divas beat Brothers Crimson in Rockhampton Netball A-grade final

Colts produced a strong second half to claim a memorable victory against a gallant Brothers Crimson. Read how winning coach Carmen Anderson summed up the season.

Colts Divas scored a 13-goal win over Brothers Crimson in the Rockhampton Netball A-grade grand final.

Colts Divas saved their best for last to claim their second Rockhampton Netball A-grade premiership in three years.

They dominated the second half to score a 70-57 win over Brothers Crimson in the grand final played in front of an enthusiastic crowd at CQUniversity.

Colts shooters Taylah Cox, Lilly Kele and Nicole McLaughlin were on target, reaping the rewards of good service from their hard-working mid-court.

Colts’ coach Carmen Anderson was taken aback by the final scoreline, given the two teams were separated by just two points in their past two grand final meetings.

Colts Divas coach Carmen Anderson with player Zeckeisha Oakley after their A-grade netball grand final win.

Anderson was player/coach in 2021 when, in her last game, she helped Colts end the nine-year winning streak of Brothers in a double extra time thriller.

“That one was very emotional, tonight it’s very sweet,” she said.

Anderson said her team produced their best netball in the biggest game of the season.

“I’m so proud, so very proud of the girls,” she said.

“It was a perfectly executed game for us, which hasn’t happened all year, but what a game to do it in - the most important one.”

Colts Divas players Lilly Kele and Ashleigh Howkins celebrate their team's A-grade netball grand final win.

As expected, the teams pretty much went goal for goal in the first half and were locked at 33-all at the main break.

But Colts set up the victory with a commanding third stanza, opening up a six-goal lead at three quarter time.

They finished strongly, their defensive end regularly foiling Brothers’ attacking efforts.

Anderson said it was a team effort and every player did what was asked of them - and more.

“We had players injured, we had sickness, we had players who were carrying niggling injuries but that just made everyone else step up that extra percent to cover,” she said.

“As a team, we just wanted to stay connected and positive.”

Brothers Crimson finished runners-up in the Rockhampton Netball A-grade competition after going down to Colts Divas in the grand final.

Brothers coach Tanya Shuker said her team knew the final would be a challenge.

“Colts, they’re just fighters so we knew it was going to be super tough,” she said.

“Unfortunately, we just couldn’t pull it together on the most important night.

“We’ve had a bit of an up-and-down year but I’m very proud of the girls and how they’ve gone.”

Shuker said Brielle Kennedy and Juanita Pittman were good in the circle, Lily Gray was strong in the mid-court and Poppi Sandilands and Tahlia Shuker both impressed after backing up from the A reserve final.