THE Sale City faithful summed it well on Saturday – “it was a good day to be a Dog”.
Of the six North Gippsland netball grand finals they contested at Churchill, the Bulldogs returned home with five premiership cups.
And they were just short of claiming a clean sweep, with the 17 and under grand final decided with a goal in the final seconds.
It was a day which tested the skills and resolve of netballers, with cold temperatures, wind, rain, and even some hail giving all a late taste of winter.
The players rose to the occasion, putting on six quality games of netball, befitting of grand final day.
Sale City proved why it was the best team all year in A grade, holding off a determined Heyfield side in the grand final, winning 51-44.
The rain had eased by the start of the day’s main game, but attackers still needed to allow for a slight breeze when shooting for goal.
Charlotte Ronchi and Maddy Rodwell having a height advantage over their opponents, gave the Bulldogs a good start, scoring the first four goals of the match.
Heyfield didn’t let the Bulldogs get away, though, with centre Millie Riseley and wing attack Jemma Birss finding ways to get the ball to Millie Lamb and Phoebe Escreet in the goal circle. The Kangaroos levelled scores at 9-9, but the Bulldogs got another break late in the first term to lead 13-11 at quarter-time.
City midcourters Isla McCarthy, Indigo Waugh and Ebony Lee helped the Bulldogs take what appeared to be a commanding eight-goal lead by half-time, leading 28-20. After the the Bulldogs got out to a good lead, whenever Heyfield scored, City was able to find an almost instant reply.
Ronchi, in particular, was outstanding, with her performance later recognised when the umpires voted her the best player of the grand final. Ronchi finished the match with 33 goals.
The Bulldogs’ lead got out to 11 goals during the third quarter, but the Kangaroos showed a never say die attitude, stringing together five goals to reduce the deficit to six. Pressure applied by the Heyfield defenders and midcourters created turnovers, with Lamb and Escreet finishing off their work in attack.
Heyfield out-scored its opponent 13-10 in the third quarter, but still trailed 38-33 at the final change of ends.
With the Kangaroos needing a big final term to claim the premiership, it was the Bulldogs who began the quarter better, scoring the first five goals. From there, City had control of the contest, but the Kangaroos played out the match to avoid a blow-out.
Sale City completed an undefeated season by winning the grand final by seven goals. It’s the Bulldogs’ third A grade premiership, and first since 2017.
At the post-match presentation, Bulldogs coach Jae Evans paid tribute to the effort of her players.
“What a year, undefeated. That just goes down to your work ethic, your commitment, your energy and your desire to win,” she said.
“You guys made my job easy, because you girls are the ones that go out there every week, but your heart out there and play your absolute hardest. Not just for yourself, but for each other.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of you all.”
Evans also congratulated Heyfield on its season.
“You guys are young and so talented. I’m sure that, in the next few years, you’ve got really exciting things to happen. You’re an amazing team,” Evans said.
