Centurions overcome Eagles in GDNL Grand Final

THE Geelong & District Netball League trophy is heading back to Werribee following Werribee Centrals’ five-goal Grand Final win over reigning premiers East Geelong.

The Centurions defeated the Eagles this afternoon (Saturday, September 16), 23-29, at St Albans Reserves to claim the club’s second A Grade flag in five years, a year on from the side’s Grand Final defeat to East Geelong in 2022.

Werribee Centrals’ captain and best-on-court, Amanda O’Malley, said it had been a long journey to reach the Grand Final.

“We’ve had time to reflect on last year, we’ve had injuries, we’ve had girls come in halfway through the season, this was our goal since the start of the year and it’s what has inspired the group each week,” O’Malley said.

“The game plan today was to play in front, we know East Geelong is a defensive team, so we wanted to play the front ball, work it close to the post, then cherish and reward our opportunities.”

The contest began on an even keel with Werribee edging to a slight 6-7 lead at quarter time.

Werribee then made its first move in the second quarter, outscoring the Centurions 10-7 in the stanza to amass a four-goal lead into half-time.

The Centurions’ staunch defensive efforts, led by league best and fairest winner Amanda O’Malley, provided dividends, as the Eagles were limited to five goals in the third quarter and five goals in the fourth.

Werribee led by five goals at three-quarter-time, before running away with the contest in the final minutes to secure a six-goal win and the A Grade premiership.

The scoring efforts from shooting duo Jenni Rothery (18 goals) and Ellie Tubbs (11 goals) were key in the win, while East Geelong’s Shannon Pietsch (11 goals), Alicia Kelton (10 goals), and Jenelle Baker (two goals) made up the Eagles’ points contributions.

Werribee player-coach, Nicole Weatherley, said she did not have the words to describe her ninth Grand Final win with the Centurions in her 300-plus game senior career.

“I’m just so proud of the group,” Weatherley said post-game.

“At the start of the week we just channelled the word ‘manifest’ and we’ve just manifesting that this is our flag to win.

“We’ve just been working extremely hard this season and for a few of us, we’re getting to a point where this could be our last game, so we just needed to give it everything we had.

“That’s exactly what we did, and I cannot fault any of our players, they all did their roles.”

Today’s win was Werribee’s ninth premiership victory since 2005.