Diamond Creek Section 1 netballers clock nine straight titles

A TEAM of netballers from Melbourne’s northern suburbs has won an awe-inspiring nine consecutive Division 1 titles, with the sweetest victory of all now in their sights.

A GROUP of netballers from Melbourne’s northern suburbs can lay claim to being one of the most dominant sporting teams in Australia after securing their ninth straight Section 1 title.

The Diamond Creek Football Netball Club’s Section 1 side is eyeing an awe-inspiring 10th consecutive crown in the Northern Football Netball League after a 64-54 victory over North Heidelberg in this year’s decider.

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Diamond Creek has won 10 of the 11 NFNL titles since the competition was introduced in 2008, with Macleod (2009) the only club to break its stranglehold.

Coach Brooke George said winning 10 titles on the trot in 2019 would be “very sweet”.

“We started with a really strong group of players that wanted to play netball,” she said.

“From there we have been able to build on that. While during that nine years we have had some players leave to have babies or move away, we have got a really good base and support clubs around the area.

“We know the talent coming through and are able to secure some young talent as well.”

Diamond Creek shows it is number one again by claiming its ninth consecutive title. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

Goal attack Stacey Gannon was named best on court in the final, scoring 39 of Diamond Creek’s goals.

“She had a good first half, but in the second half she absolutely stepped up, to the point where I knew if she got it in that circle, the ball was going in,” George said.

Gannon’s effort matched the tally of Bulldogs star Rebecca Colwell as the Creekers pushed clear in the third and fourth quarters.

Diamond Creek playing coach Brooke George led her Section 1 team to a ninth-straight title. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

George said her side’s streak was testament to the depth of netball talent in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

“Everyone that plays in our Div 1 are really from the area. We don’t really import from anywhere else,” she said.

“There is one player, Chloe Lambert, from Rosanna. The rest are from Diamond Creek, Plenty, Greensborough and they have grown up playing at Diamond Creek.

“I think that’s why we have been able to keep them all together.”

Stacey Gannon was best on court in Diamond Creek's Section 1 netball grand final win over North Heidelberg. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

Diamond Creek also triumphed in the Section 2 decider, clinching a 40-34 victory over Ivanhoe.

“This year, because it was tight, it was a bit special,” George said.

“Now they’re like, let’s do it, let’s go for 10.”

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