A Grade premiership the cherry on top for Eagles

Left to right: Eagles co-coaches Dave Boyce, Justine Radford, co-captains Allana Cottrill and Stephanie Boyce raise the premiership trophy. Photos: VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT

EAST Geelong’s maiden A Grade premiership was anything but routine, as Werribee Centrals left everything they had at St Albans Reserve on the back of a terrific final quarter.

The Eagles were cruising to its first Geelong & District Netball League (GDNL) at three-quarter time, leading 23-16 at the final break, but were held to a single goal in the fourth.

Werribee brought the deficit back to one goal but were beaten by the final siren, giving East Geelong its first A Grade flag, a nerve-wracking but memorable way to achieve the feat, according to co-captain Stephanie Boyce.

Eagles players line up to receive their medals in front of a large contingency of East Geelong fans.

“To be honest, I was pretty scared in that last quarter; they kept putting up goal after goal and we were throwing a few silly ones away,” Boyce said post-game.

“A credit to Amanda O’Malley too, she had a cracking game, but god it was stressful and as a team we remained composed, a special aspect of this team all season long.

“In the hardest moments, we know how to take the deep breaths and when that whistle blew, all we thought was ‘thank god we are premiers’.”

East Geelong’s Shannon Pietch had 16 goals on the day, while Jenelle Baker added eight goals to the team’s total. Werribee’s shooters Ellie Vincent and Ellie Tubbs combined for 20 goals, and Jenni Rothery added three goals of her own.

Alanna Cottrill, Stephanie Boyce and Claudia Cook were named best on court for the Eagles, and Amanda O’Malley, Caitlin Hendricksen and Natasha Dimkovski for the Centurions.

O’Malley was named best in final on the day in a rare occurrence of a member of the losing team receiving the accolade.

Co-coach Justine Radford said winning the A Grade was at the top of her accomplishments.

“It was a huge day for the club.

“It was the first time our netball side made the A Grade Grand Final and the first time to win it, our Reserves football side won their Grand Final, and our 15s and 17s won too.

“It was my first A Grade premiership and to do it alongside Dave [co-coach Dave Boyce], it was such a special moment for us.

“I won a B Grade premiership in 2019 and now we have this one; it’s a tremendous feeling.”