Tigers go back-to-back despite Eagles charge

ANOTHER Geelong Netball League premiership is on its way to Central Reserve following a thrilling one-goal Colac win over Newtown & Chilwell this afternoon (Saturday, September 23) at Memorial Park.

The Tigers and Eagles again met in the season decider following a heart-pumping 2022 Grand Final, but it was Colac again consolidating its rule at the top of the GNL, narrowly defeating Newtown & Chilwell, 38-37.

Colac captain Emily Murfitt said it was the best feeling ever to celebrate winning the Grand Final as the skipper of her childhood club.

“It was just such a good feeling, but we had a scare late in the game.

Colac’s supporters were out in full force. Photos: VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT

“We knew they were gonna do that, we knew they were going to come out fighting in the fourth and it just showed us it was anyone’s game.

“Our girls did all they could to get those intercepts, I’m super proud of our defenders, then it just fell to us to score of those possessions.

“I didn’t think I would be in this position at the start of the season, me being a premiership captain, it’s just awesome.”

The GNL Grand Final was a game of inches from start to finish with the challengers edging out to a two-goal lead at the end of the first quarter, 9-11.

Colac then managed to take control of the game, leading 21-18 at the main break.

Colac coach Courtney Cuolahan has secured a flag for her childhood club in her first season back at the Tigers.

However, the Tigers put the squeeze on Newtown, getting out to a comfortable six-goal lead at three-quarter-time, leading 31-25.

The Eagles have served as the benchmark of the GNL for the better part of a decade and showed exactly why, almost pulling off one of the most miraculous comebacks in GNL history.

A flurry of goals in the final minutes from Eagles shooters Uneeq Palavi and Julia Woolley saw the margin cut to one point.

Unfortunately for Newtown, time was called before the Eagles could obtain the tying score, granting Colac its second flag in as many years and sending fans into rapture.

Michelle and Bec Winch accounted for all of Colac’s scores, tallying 28 and 10 respectively, while star defender Indya Forde was awarded the best-on-court medal for her efforts in the defensive third alongside Brooke Allan.

Indya Forde (right) was awarded best-on-court.

Palavi amassed 31 goals for Newtown & Chilwell, whereas Woolley provided an additional four. Zanna Woods also pocketed two scores in the game.

Ruby Pekin-Schlicht, Mia van Wyk and Amy Wirth were named key contributors for the Eagles.

“I grew up at Colac watching my mum play, watching Courtney [Cuolahan] play and playing with her when I was younger, it’s pretty special to be a premiership captain and player at the club I love,” Murfitt said.

“Our supporters are amazing for making the trip down, getting behind us, it’s a pretty cool club to be a part of.”

Before its drought-breaking premiership last year, Colac had not won an A Grade flag in 24 years – it will go for a three-peat in 2024.