IT MIGHT not have been the haul Kangaroo Flat had hoped for on BFNL grand final day, but the Roos were able to celebrate at least one netball premiership at the QEO on Saturday.
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The Roos, led by an exceptional captain's game from Emily Gray, outlasted a spirited Sandhurst to win a thrilling B-grade showdown.
Kangaroo Flat won 40-37, but not before surviving more than one brave fightbacks by the Dragons.
The Roos led by five-goals at quarter-time, much in part to an 11-goal term from goal shooter Elise O'Callaghan, before a 12-7 run by the Dragons put the match on level terms at half-time.
Kangaroo Flat was able to regain the ascendancy in the third-term to set up a four-goal break at the final change and held firm in the last-quarter to win by three-goals.
Coach Nina Cass, who last led the Roos to a B-reserve flag in 2017, said the final siren had brought a mix of relief and excitement.
"Full credit to the girls, they really toughed it out - and in conditions that weren't suited to our style of play," she said in reference to the rain which descended upon the QEO.
"We were really excited to win. Last year in our B-grade we had pretty much the same team, with a few girls coming up from B-reserve, and we thought we underachieved.
"So to get the win was fantastic. Our under-18 boys won for the first time in 36 years and now this, so let's hope it's a big day."
The three-goal margin was much tighter than the teams' semi-final meeting, won by the Roos by 10-goals. The Roos and Dragons split their regular-season meetings.
"You know Sandhurst are never going to give up until the final siren goes, so we were prepared for a battle," Cass said.
"Some things came our way and others didn't - we were fortunate to be ahead when we needed to in the end."
A best on court medal for Gray capped a wonderful season, after the versatile midcourter and goal attack finished runner-up in the league best and fairest.
Cass dedicated the premiership to her mum Isola, whose funeral was held last Thursday, just hours before the team's final training on Thursday night.
"It was actually great for me to go from the funeral to that training as the girls were all up and about and excited," she said.
"It was a nice day to send mum off and being around the girls relaxed me.
"I know mum loved a winner and I know she would be up there smiling."
The premiership was the Roos' first at B-grade level since 2016.
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