Hawks too classy in TNL grand final after gaining payback on Cavs Hawks too classy in TNL grand final after gaining payback on Cavs

The Cavaliers ended their long unbeaten run to begin the finals, but the Hawks bounced back when it mattered most in a dominant grand final display. And it was a former young Cav who stood out the most.

The Northern Hawks lift the state netball premiership trophy after defeating the Cavaliers at Launceston's Silverdome. Picture: PATRICK GEE/SUPPLIED

Ellie Marshall jumped ship from the Cavaliers to the Northern Hawks in search of a chance at open level - and it has certainly paid off.

The 17-year-old was named player of the match after her efforts at wing-defence helped spearhead a brilliant Hawks display in Saturday’s 71-57 grand final win over Launceston rivals the Cavaliers at the Silverdome.

Marshall, who also recently travelled to the Australian Institute of Sport as part of an under-19 Australian squad, went to Hawks to test herself and step up from under-19s.

The decision came up dividends as the Tasmanian under-17 captain enjoyed a grand final win with the medal around her neck.

“I just wanted to play at a senior level and the Hawks gave me that opportunity. I moved over there straight away because I wanted to play the highest level I can,” she said.

“I wanted to learn how to perform at a higher level than the 19s, just learn from the older girls with some different structures on how to play netball.”

Marshall has played centre for much of the campaign. But she moved back to WD after the Hawks lost for the first time since the 2021 grand final in the qualifying final against Cavaliers.

Ellie Marshall of the Northern Hawks was awarded Most Valuable Player in the state netball grand final against the Cavaliers at Launceston's Silverdome. Picture: PATRICK GEE/SUPPLIED

The switch has reaped dividends, with the Hawks playing arguably their best netball all year in the last two games when it mattered the most.

Three quarters of near-perfect netball sealed a near-perfect season for them on Saturday.

Down by four early and by one goal at quarter time, the Hawks extended a four-goal half-time lead to 11 by the end of the third quarter to all but ensure they kept the cup.

The Launceston rivals have alternated premiership wins since the Hawks’ triumph in 2018, with the Hawks now able to ice a dynasty with back-to-back crowns.

“To their credit the players are very switched on, our mental game today was really strong,” Hawks coach Alicia Sargent said.

“They’re ecstatic with that (back to back crowns) It’s something they’ve been chasing for a while, but it’s not something we focused on or were drawn to.

“We made great impact in defence but we were so patient in attack and controlled the game.

We found ourselves when we needed to when the pressure was on. They came at us early but we stuck to our game and were smart in how we went about it.”

Cavaliers coach Dannie Carstens said the Hawks deserve plenty of plaudits for playing at near their peak when the trophy is there to be won.

“Credit to them, their last three quarters is some of the best netball we’ve seen them play for the season,” she said.

Cavaliers goal attack Esther Kidmas clashed in the air with Northern Hawks goal defence Tessa Coote in the grand final clash at Launceston's Silverdome. Picture: PATRICK GEE/SUPPLIED

“They brought it when it counts. They’re a team you have to try and win ball against, and we didn’t quite do that today.

“What we put out in the first quarter is what we have to do for four, unfortunately we couldn’t do that when it mattered today.”