Colac wins back-to-back GFNL A Grade premierships over a fast-finishing Newtown & Chilwell
Colac has gone back-to-back in GFNL A Grade netball as St Joseph’s collected its third straight one-goal win to claim the B Grade flag.
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A former Colac junior has capped off a triumphant return to the club, guiding her Tigers to back-to-back premierships in GFNL A Grade netball.
And Courtney Cuolahan did it based in Torquay, after leaving for the Bellarine about a decade ago.
Colac, in a repeat of last year’s decider against Newtown & Chilwell, got home in a 38-37 thriller at Leopold Memorial Park on Saturday.
Side of court, Cuolahan, thanked her super seven of “phenomenal athletes” as Colac beat a fast-finishing Eagles outfit — out for revenge after last year’s eight-point loss.
Colac kept the same winning core of 2022, ensuring Brooke Allan, Indya Forde, Eliza Cahill, Emily Murfitt, Zara Walters and Bec and Michelle Winch walked off the court as two-time GFNL premiership players.
Earlier, the margin had neared double digits before the Eagles stormed home as Uneeq Palavi netted a game-high 31 goals.
Cuolahan said she felt relief, joy and pride after returning to coach the team this season.
“They made a lot of changes, and I thought our girls did well to adapt to a lot of those changes,” Cuolahan said.
The Torquay BFNL premiership player would drive to Colac twice a week for training and home games during the 2023 season.
However, she said some her charges were playing netball elsewhere – with Forde, Allan and Walters all Geelong Cougars this year – which lessened the need for her input.
“They do a lot during the week anyway, fitness-wise,” she said.
During the post-match presentation, Cuolahan said her team “stood up when it mattered”.
“I’ve learned so much from you, you’ve taught me a lot,” she said.
Michelle Winch collected 28 points for the winners, while Bec Winch had 10, after picking up 26 and 15 respectively in the decider last year.
Two premiership medals in two years for young defender
Ballan product Indya Forde has won her second GFNL A Grade premiership in as many years after arriving at Colac at the start of the 2022 season.
Forde, who formed a strong defensive partnership with goal keeper Brooke Allan, was judged best on court in the Tigers’ thrilling 38-37 win over Newtown & Chilwell at Leopold Memorial Park on Saturday.
Forde said she was a “bit shocked” to have two medals hanging around her neck, helping thwart a final quarter surge from the Eagles to win back-to-back titles.
However, she said winning a second flag in as many years was not front of mind during the week.
“We were definitely focusing on the future, we had to put our all in, we knew it was going to be a tough game,” Forde said.
“We definitely put our best out there, and we just happened to go back-to-back.”
The 21-year-old civil engineering student said Allan had become a key mentor and role model since arriving at the club.
“I worked really well in a partnership with Brooke … she’s amazing,” she said.
“I definitely look up to Brooke as a player, she teaches me a lot.
“She keeps me going and makes sure I’m always on the right track.”
An emotional Allan was in tears after the game.
“It’s relief to be honest, it was a little bit stressful in that last quarter,” Allan said.
“There was a bit more pressure on this one, coming in as the favourite.
“It was definitely a lot scarier this year, especially with the week off as well.”
Joeys collect third straight one-goal win
St Joseph’s has stolen the GFNL B Grade netball premiership after winning by a solitary goal for the third weekend in succession.
And it came in stunning fashion with goal shooter and best on court Maya Pearce sinking her 25th and final goal right on the final whistle at Leopold Memorial Park, inflicting St Mary’s’ first loss for the season.
Joeys, who had won the preliminary final in extra time the previous Saturday over South Barwon, and beat Bell Park by the same margin in the semi-final, did it again with a victory over red hot favourites St Mary’s.
It was the Saints’ first loss for the year after a 17-0 campaign during the regular season, including a 22-point flogging of Joeys back in Round 12.
The 34-33 match preceded a one-goal thriller in the A Grade grand final with Colac winning back-to-back titles over Newtown & Chilwell.
When asked about her emotions, Pearce simply said: “Shaken”.
“I didn’t know the time, so it was just another shot,” Pearce said of her golden point.
“I thought I’d have a few more shots in the game. It was a relief when I heard the whistle.
“We’re all best friends on this team so it’s extra special.”
Joeys had trailed for the majority of the game before Pearce’s game-breaking shot.
“I am very proud, they’re a young group and they just really fought hard,” coach Kirsten Hood said.
“The last time we played them we had a 22-goal loss.
“It’s a big turnaround for us.”
Hood told her players at the final break to have belief against a St Mary’s team who had been “the benchmark all season”.
“We knew we had to fight for every single ball,” Hood said during the post-match presentation.
“You certainly know how to make your coach a little bit stressed on the bench.
“Three finals, three one-goal wins.
“You guys have worked your backsides off this season.
“You had great belief … you’re all best friends out there and it really shows out on the court.”
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Originally published as Colac wins back-to-back GFNL A Grade premierships over a fast-finishing Newtown & Chilwell
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