THE future of netball at Maiden Gully YCW continues to look bright, after the Eagles claimed a pair of junior LVFNL premiership crowns.
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A busy grand final day for the Eagles started with a cliffhanger one-goal win against Calivil United in the 17-and-under premiership decider.
That was followed by a third-straight win in the 15-and-under division.
The Eagles added a third premiership for the day, with their C-grade team defeating Bridgewater 44-35.
A see-sawing 17-and-under contest produced several twists and turns, with the Eagles trailing by three-goals at quarter-time, leading by three at half-time and by two at three-quarter time.
In the end, the steady shooting of goal attack Chiara Artavilla proved influential, as the Eagles came from behind late in the game to steal a one-goal win.
Eagles coach Christie Griffiths praised her side's 'never give-in' attitude to fight back from a late deficit.
"All three games against Calivil we've had this season have been really hard contested games - you can never give up against them," she said.
"I've felt this team has had strength all over the court - it's a really balanced team, which has a lot of determination to keep going hard and to apply pressure all over the court.
"I've found it hard this year as I have nine 'starting seven' players, which has been extremely difficult to work out each week.
"The (grand final) had everything, we were just very lucky a Calivil girl got sent off (in the closing minutes) and I think that was the turning point in the game.
"Their goalers (Mia McCrann-Peters and Georgia Hall) did not miss; there really wasn't anything in it.
"We were just lucky on the day and they were very unlucky."
After battling illness during the week, best on court Artavilla was just glad to have played her role in the win.
The versatile Eagle started the game in her more traditional wing attack role, but quickly shifted to goal attack to inspire her team to victory with some clutch shooting
"(Calivil) had plenty of good players, but our girls were so determined ... the (best on court award) could have gone to anyone really," she said.
"I've played every now and then in goals, but it's been wing attack most of the year.
"I like both and giving the team some versatility on the court."
Maiden Gully YCW's' 15-and-under win over Pyramid Hill was built on a dominant second half.
The Eagles led by one goal at quarter time and two at half time, before they overpowered the Bulldogs with a 13-3 third quarter, and backed it up with a further 14 goals to four in the last to win 41-22.
Coach Bec Keech, who was in her first year at the helm after leading one of the Eagles' BSNA teams last season, declared the win her side's most convincing of the season.
"It's exciting to get a grand final win in my first season as coach of the team, but it was the girls who did it," she said.
"They are an amazing team to coach. I thought we were a chance to win a grand final through the season, but it all comes down to the day.
"It's been a big day for the club coming away with a few wins."
Hannah Flood was best on court for the Eagles with a dominant game in defence, while centre Abbey Hosking also won rave reviews from her coach.
Meanwhile, Calivil United made history by becoming the first club to win a 13-and-under premiership, defeating Pyramid Hill 28-16.
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In other senior matches, Mitiamo made it a clean-sweep of the top two grades with a seven-goal win in B-grade over Newbridge, to add to its A-grade flag, while the Maroons overcame Maiden Gully YCW in a thrilling C-reserve final 44-43.
Joint coach of the Superoos B-grade team Glenda Thomas said the team had shown plenty of fight to overcome a tough Maroons team.
"The beat us in the second-semi by eight (goals), so we really had to dig deep," she said.
"We trained hard and the girls worked on a few things they needed to and came good when it counted.
"I was full of confidence for them, just the way they were going about it. They are such a good team, who support and encourage each other.
"Our goaling (from Jess Pay, Laura Falls and Raquel Spence) was the best it's been all year, and what a time to do it on a windy day.
"Our defence all the way down the court was strong too."
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