KANGAROO Flat has stamped itself as one of Victoria's premier netball clubs by winning the inaugural Netball Victoria League Club Challenge.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The reigning Bendigo Football Netball League A-grade netball premiers defeated Drouin Hawks 22-20 in a tense grand final at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Sunday.
Coach Janelle Hobbs' side were the only one among 10 teams to emerge from the competition undefeated, winning seven of their minor round matches and drawing two others.
That set up a semi-final encounter against Narre Warren, which the Roos won 22-14.
The scoreline was remarkably similar to the Roos' 22-15 minor round victory over the Magpies.
The Roos went into the grand final with a 22-15 opening win over Drouin Hawks.
But the reigning Gippsland league premiers were a much tougher proposition the second time round, with the Roos staving off a spirited challenge to win by two goals.
Two-time Roos premiership coach Hobbs said a game-saving intercept by departing defender Zoe Davies proved telling in the grand final result.
"It was a tough grand final; Drouin were a very fast and skilled side," she said.
"We only got over the line in the last couple of minutes, we were down.
"Zoe got her intercept and we scored and a couple of other little things helped us hang on."
The Roos benefited from standout performances throughout the tournament by star young goal shooter Ruby Barkmeyer, and Chelsea Sartori and Milly Wicks in the mid-court.
New recruits Julia Clarke, from Wodonga Raiders, and Ingrid Hopkins (Maryborough) slotted in well as the Roos played a hectic schedule of 11 two-12 minute half games.
Hobbs said an added bonus of the championships was getting nearly a dozen high-intensity games of netball into her players ahead of their round one encounter against Golden Square on Good Friday.
"It's a good start to the year, but as I said to the girls, we still have a long way to go," she said.
"Our aim is definitely to go back-to-back, but we'll be up against some pretty tough teams this year.
"But I'm very proud of the girls. To be the first winner of this initiative, the girls thought it was very special."
The Roos pocketed $2500 for their tournament win, with the BFNL to receive $500.
Drouin went in to the grand final with just two minor round losses alongside their name, including a 25-20 loss to Diamond Creek, the same team the Hawks defeated in the semi-finals.
The invite-only League Club Challenge was open to the winners of all A-grade netball premierships under the AFL Country Victoria umbrella from last season.
Ten teams participated in the round robin series, including reigning Murray league premiers Echuca United and Goulburn Valley league champions Kyabram.
