Rising star Lucy Austin leads Matrics to 2020 Premier League grand final win against Contax
This young gun went from not even starting in the top tier side to stepping up in the absence of her skipper and leading Matrics to the Premier League netball title against Contax on Friday night.
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“This doesn’t even feel real right now”.
That is what rising Matrics netballer Lucy Austin said after helping her team to a come-from-behind victory in the Premier League netball grand final against Contax on Friday night.
The 18-year-old was not just shocked that her side claimed a back-to-back title by triumphing 60-56 at Netball SA Stadium against its fierce rival.
But she was also surprised she was awarded Marg Angove Trophy for the Most Valuable Player on court.
The MVP award win came as Austin was forced to step up in the absence of Matrics skipper and fellow goalie Laura Packard, who watched from the sidelines due to a calf injury.
It was a far cry from where Austin started this season, having played 2019 with the reserves and being unsure if she would fit into the top tier team this campaign.
“It is just such an amazing feeling,” Austin said.
“To win twice in a row after playing in the reserves’ grand final last year is incredible.
“It’s been a tough year with lost of injuries but it was good to get the opportunity that I’ve been working hard for.
“I really idolise Packard, she’s such a gun and it was really big shoes to fill.
“(The win) means everything to me.
‘This is what we’ve been working for all year and all the girls have been working os hard so it’s great to see it all pay off.”
Matrics was down by a goal at half-time before producing a huge third quarter to set up the victory.
The Maroons were much cleaner when in possession than they were during the first half and defended well, while giving Austin plenty of opportunities to score at the other end.
They took a 47-38 goal-lead into the final break before holding on for the triumph.
Austin said it had been a challenging year with the coronavirus shutdown and injuries to key players, including Packard, but was proud of her side.
“I had been practising so much with my pressure shooting so I blocked out all the noise and stuck to my routine,” Austin said.
“We just had to really value our possession every time we got the ball and that paid off in the end.
“Matrics is just such an amazing club.”
It was the second year in a row Contax had ended its campaign top of the ladder, only to be beaten by Matrics in the flag decider.
Young gun and Adelaide Thunderbirds training partner Charlee Hodges, who was battling a hip injury, stood up in key moments for Contax.
Mid-courter Imogen Abernethy also showed flashes of brilliance.
But the side could not claw its way back from the third quarter capitulation.
Contax coach Leanne Eichler said she was “gutted” for her players.
“A huge credit to the girls for their fight back in that last quarter,” Eichler said.
“I asked them just throw caution to the wind, play with risk and maybe we should’ve done that a bit earlier.
“Charlee played injured tonight so she had to be managed by huge credit to her, she didn’t let that hold her back.
“We’ve got to do a huge review … I’m just really gutted for the girls.”
Matrics also beat Oakdale in the reserves grand final on Friday.
Since 2008, Contax has claimed seven Premier League premierships, while Matrics has won five.
Originally published as Rising star Lucy Austin leads Matrics to 2020 Premier League grand final win against Contax