GISBORNE’S Charlotte Crook says she was all of ‘surprised’, ‘rapt’ and ‘content’ to finish runner-up in this season’s Carol Sing Medal.

But don’t expect the Bulldogs midcourter to settle for second in Saturday’s BFNL 17-and-under netball grand final at the QEO.

Crook’s Bulldogs will take on Sandhurst in a battle between the junior grade’s last two premiers.

Sandhurst has enjoyed the easier path to the big dance, winning its sole final 41-40 against Kangaroo Flat.

Gisborne’s route has been much tougher, with the Bulldogs negotiating three cut-throat finals to emerge as a genuine premiership threat.

The Bulldogs defeated Golden Square 56-36 and South Bendigo 55-43, before they overcame the Roos 41-38 in last weekend’s preliminary final.

Crook, who finished second in the league medal count behind Kangaroo Flat’s Ella Wicks, said she knew the Bulldogs always had the talent to reach a grand final, but it was a matter of putting it together on the day.

“There’s a lot of strong girls in our team – one our girls finished third (Tazma Morris) and another finished fourth (Olivia Rodda) in the (league) best and fairest,” she said.

“During the season we were a bit hot and cold’ and took things for granted a bit.

“The finals, everyone just clicked and switched on from the start. The first two games we won, we got a great start.

“I think knowing that if we lost, we were out, really meant a lot to the girls.”

Crook, who has only played in one of the Bulldogs’ two losses to Sandhurst this season, said the Dragons would be a tough team to crack on grand final day.

“We had a pretty mediocre game the second time, but they are a very strong team,” she said.

“I think we will go in not being expected to win, but we’ll fire

“I think we’ve proven to ourselves in the last few games anything is possible.”

The Bulldogs are coached by their Betty Thompson Medal winner Maddy Stewart,

Crook, who played one game in A-reserve this season, hailed Stewart has a ‘total inspiration’ to all her 17-and-under players.

“She’s a defender as well and her and I have just clicked,” she said.

“I have come so far from just everything she has taught me.”

Crook further offered her congratulations to Roos midcourter Wicks, who won the Sing Medal with a massive 29 votes.

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