Blake Metcalf-Holt
GRAND finals can go one of two ways. It can simply be one of the best days of your life, or it can be one that haunts you.
Supporters were treated to a thrilling Gippsland League A grade netball grand final on Saturday which encapsulated an epic season.
Moe earned the right to be called back-to-back premier for the first time in the club’s history after defeating Warragul at Morwell Recreation Reserve 55-53.
It didn’t come easy for the Lions, with the Gulls proving worthy contenders upon upsetting Moe just two weeks ago to force the reigning premier down the long road to the flag.
The grand final began as expected – both sides riding on the high of an incomparable atmosphere with a crowd which matched or even succeeded the onlookers of the football for the period of time.
Moe’s Ramayer Gourley and Warragul’s Emma Ryde traded goals early as the game continued to go back-and-forth throughout the first six minutes. Both were consistently the top shooters throughout the season in the Gippsland League, meaning it would be a long day for either defences.
The Lions continued to hunt and were showing no signs of slowing down, leading 10-7 as Gourley continued to get the better of Gulls goal keeper Ella Rees, showing immense competitiveness and confidence to get the job done.
Trouble hit the way of Moe only a few minutes later, with the ball flinging down the end of Warragul where Lions goal keeper Emma Sculley collided with a player, hitting the ground hard before being taken off the court – she would not return to the game.
Sculley had been battling greatly with Ryde, but now co-coach Ashlea Stubbs was forced to switch the bibs around with Jordan Pyle moving back into Sculley’s role and Hollie Bugeja being brought onto the court.
Warragul proceeded to get back into shape, but with goal attack Georgia Moody getting into the game alongside Gourley, Moe led 16-13 by the end of the first quarter.
The Gulls began to shift momentum, taking the lead early in the second, with Ryde continuing to be an impossible match-up, especially considering Pyle was now giving up nearly a foot in height.
Tied at 20-20, Moe began to reignite through the midcourt. Centre Charlize Bird and wing attack Alex Moody got the ball down to their attackers greatly.
No love appeared to be lost between Gourley and Rees, who continued to tussle, but Gourley was a smiling assassin throughout, more often than not finding a score.
The Lions staved off a gunning Gulls to still lead 30-26 upon the main break.
Entering after half-time, Warragul began to emphasise a physical play still being within striking distance. There were multiple occasions during the quarter where players showed no regard for their safety, and no remorse for the opposition, throwing themselves relentlessly at the ball and ramming into each other.
The Gulls went on a 6-4 run, bringing it back to a two-goal game – but just as they came fighting back, Moe was there to answer almost immediately.
The Lions launched at every attack, finding ways to deliver the ball into Gourley any which way they saw fit, which cumulated in a late scoring spurt that gave Moe a 45-40 lead heading into the final quarter.
Moe extended the margin out to six goals before exactly how the previous two terms played out, with Warragul going on a sporadic run to trim their deficit with the score reading 48-46.
Pyle had a number of instrumental defensive acts against the towering Ryde that led the Lions to combat Warragul’s run and send them back up by four goals.
End-to-end mirroring the opening to the match saw Moe hold an again two-goal lead as Gourley missed a shot near the rim.
Centre Macy Gardiner impressively intercepted the ball out of the hands of Alexandra Cole and sent it back inside to keep the Lions ahead 51-48.
Ryde and Warragul goal attack Jaime Rollinson again jumped Moe, responding with two of the next three goals.
Pyle and goal defence Olivia Barnett worked well against a pressing Warragul with a number of inspiring plays, but Ryde snatched a ball out of the air impossible for anyone else to touch, and dropped the ball into the net positioning the game at only a one-goal margin.
Out of the centre, Bird stretched out and got a finger in over two Warragul attackers that sent the ball to the floor. Alex Moody arrived and won the loose ball that sent the Moe cheer squad ablaze.
The Lions, with all the energy in the world, appeared home up 55-51 with limited time remaining, having been here before it was never going to let it slip away.
Lions clinged to a two-goal lead after two quick Ryde goals.
As the final whistle was blown, players rushed each other, embracing and soaking in this wonderful time with a maroon, blue and gold tsunami racing onto the court.
Co-coaches Stubbs and Gourley were presented the premiership trophy, after Alex Moody was recognised as best on court, and it was all celebrations from there on out for the second-year running.
