COLBINABBIN has reclaimed the crown as Heathcote District netball champions, overpowering North Bendigo in Saturday's grand final at Huntly.
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The Grasshoppers snared their second title in three years and made amends for a 2014 grand final loss to the Bulldogs.
Led by best-on-court Jessica Geary at wing attack and her goal shooting sister Carly, the Grasshoppers won 50-29.
They set up the win with a dominant middle two quarters, after scoring the final six goals of the opening quarter to lead 12-6 at the first break.
The Grasshoppers stretched their lead to nine goals, with an 11 goals to eight second quarter.
North Bendigo's hopes of winning back-to-back premierships under coach Tamara Gilchrist was not helped when a goal to classy goal shooter Rebecca Smith on the final whistle was disallowed.
Colbinabbin effect snuffed out the Bulldogs' chances of a comeback by restricting them to six goals in a frenetic third quarter, while adding 16 of their own.
Goal attack Felicity Ryan and Jessica Geary were instrumental in the Grasshoppers maintaining their dominance, with Carly Geary shooting 14 goals for the quarter.
She added 11 goals in the final quarter to finish the match with an imposing 46.
While little separated the fierce on-court rivals in games played throughout the season, Colbinabbin entered the premiership decider with a slight mental edge having defeated the Bulldogs in a semi-final encounter a fortnight ago.
Every one on the court did their job, I would have found it hard to pick a best player.
- Colbinabbin coach Louise Dupuy
A jubilant Grasshoppers coach Louise Dupuy said the final margin was unexpected.
“We would have settled to win by one (goal), to win by 20 is a bonus,” she said.
“We set ourselves up early and just got into another gear.
“I knew the girls could do it – they’ve worked hard for it all year.”
Dupuy, who earlier coached the club’s A-reserve team to a premiership, praised the game of goal keeper Kate Chirnside, who had the tough task of curbing the influence of gun goal shooter Smith.
“She just never gives up,” she said.
“It’s tough job being on someone so tall and who is such a good goaler, but she did an awesome job.
“Every one on the court did their job, I would have found it hard to pick a best player.”
With a handful of their squad living in Melbourne, best-on-court Geary said the Grasshoppers had benefited greatly by practicing together for the only the first time this season on Thursday night.
At the presentation, Bulldogs coach Gilchrist said she was proud of her team’s effort through the season.
The Bulldogs lost just two games on their way to finishing as minor round premiers.
