THREE grand finals, three premierships.
Gippsland Storm has re-confirmed their status as one of the premier junior netball clubs in Victoria as the Storm girls claimed a trio of flags this week in the 13 and Under two, 15 and Under two and 15 and Under one competitions last Thursday evening at the Waverley Netball Centre.
Gippsland Storm 13 and Under Two turned up last Thursday night, at the Waverley Netball Centre, very optimistic about their chances on Grand Final night. They came up against a very formidable opponent in Caulfield green, with three encounters this season, each a win and one draw between the two teams. After being behind at every break (at one stage 7 goals down) Gippsland Storm rallied to eventually run out winners 23-to-21. Storm’s coach Peter Kelly stated that the it was an outstanding effort by all the girls, Storm’s fitness and never say die attitude were evident, we couldn’t be prouder of everything the girls have achieved this season”.
Assistant coach Sam Kelly commented on the sheer determination and positive attitude of the whole team and congratulated the Caulfield team, on a very hard but fair contest on the night.
“Our defence was strong, considering we were down a defender, but with a good midcourt and some strong leads in attack our fitness shone through and we were able to maintain a high level of netball for the whole game,” Kelly said.
All in all, it was the perfect start to the Storm’s pursuit for three premierships on the night.
Storm’s 15 and Under two Grand Final Win: You couldn’t have asked for a more exciting game than the one between Gippsland Storm 15 and Under two and Waverley City 15 and Under One. Storm finally running out victors 30-31 in extra time. These two teams had only played each other once in the home-and-away season and there was only one goal separating the teams then, Storm being the victors.
Storm started the game on their terms, with the opposition chasing and having no effect on Storms attack down the court. Storms defence was all over the ball and punished the opposition with any inaccurate shooting or misplaced passes. Storm seemed to have a secure lead on the game in the first quarter, leading 8-2. A few changes were made in the second quarter by both teams. Storm struggled to move the ball through the mid court, and it showed on the scoreboard at half time only leading by three goals. Storm started the second half with the same setup as the first quarter. Storm coach Machaela Dwyer was certain that this combination would get the team back into a commanding lead. Storm went into the last quarter leading by five goals. To the opposition’s credit, they started attacking the ball hard and let some questionable calls affect their confidence and decision making. To Storm’s credit, with all the errors they were making, they were also working hard to earn the ball back, the final score was a heart stopping draw 25 goals all. The game went into extra time five minutes each end, Storm eventually running out winners 31 to 30 in a very exciting game.
Storm’s premier 15 and Under Squad, re-confirmed their total domination of the Elite Under 15s Netball competition at Waverley, with a comprehensive 17-goal victory against combatants Caulfield Green.
Having gone through the season undefeated, and with a final percentage above 200 per cent, the girls were aware that they were going to have earn their spoils, and from the first whistle, it was obvious the girls were ready to play, and make their intentions clear , and a 6-0 start to the first quarter was a perfect way to do that.
Caulfield were never allowed to settle into the contest, or establish any rhythm, and it was a ruthless Storm outfit that pressured every pass, made every opposing possession a hotly contested one, and it was also their ability to turn those precious turnovers into goals, and all but the seal victory , leading 22-8 at half time.
To their credit, the Storm girls never took their foot off the accelerator, and continued to punish opposition errors until the final siren, and eventually enjoyed the spoils of a dominant season. While every player made a valuable contribution to the team’s success on the night, it was Hinemoa Collier who was adjudged the best player on the court by the umpires, for her dominant performance at goal attack.
Coach Simon O’Shanassy, was full of praise for his players, who showed maturity well beyond their age.
“To go through an entire season undefeated, can at time create a certain sense of complacency, but to their credit, they were willing to work hard at training and during games, even when the contest was beyond doubt, and that was possibly one of our biggest challenges during the season,” O’Shanassy said.
“The challenge now is to put the success of this season behind us, enjoy our two-week break, and come back rejuvenated ready to defend our title in the second season” a very happy O’Shanassy claimed at the conclusion of the awards.
