Deniliquin arrived at Nathalia Recreation Reserve ready to book its spot in the Murray Netball League A-grade decider having gone through the regular season undefeated.
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It was the firm favourite over opponent Tongala, which it had beaten by seven goals in their only home and away meeting.
But finals are a different game.
The Rams got the jump at the start and looked the more polished side, blazing away to set up an 8-1 lead only a few minutes into the game.
Slowly but surely the Blues got on level terms across the court and goal shooter Milly Brock started to become involved in the game, helping her side close the gap to three goals at quarter-time.
And if the final five minutes of the first quarter had Brock become involved, the first five of the second had her take over.
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Quick pass: Tongala's Chelsey Wright. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 2 of 6
Just out of reach: Tongala's Grace Hammond. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 3 of 6
Focused: Deniliquin's Ella Harvey. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 4 of 6
Turn and go: Tongala's Meg Brennan. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 5 of 6
Looking to pass: Tongala's Corey Drennan. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 6 of 6
Eyes up: Tongala's Amelia Brock. Photo by Aydin PayneThe Blues shooter plucked down every pass fed into her by centre Grace Hammond and wing attack Chelsey Wright, draining goal after goal to hand her side the lead after what had a been a slow start.
The strong Tongala contingent in the crowd erupted any time the ball went anywhere within Brock’s vicinity as the Blues powered on to open up a game-high nine-goal lead before Deni got one back late, entering the half up 27-19.
Netball is a fast-paced game and momentum swings are even quicker, as Deniliquin burst out of the blocks with the first four goals of the second half to reduce the margin to four goals.
Rams goal shooter Rhiannan Maxwell led the charge with great movement and positioning inside the semi-circle, keeping her side within striking distance.
The margin came down to two goals at one stage, as Tonny looked to be tiring in the warm conditions and making mistakes that had been non-existent in the first half.
Nonetheless, the Blues rallied to lead by four at the final break, holding a 38-34 advantage with one quarter to play.
After looking exhausted in the third term Tonny’s pressure was perhaps the most intense it had been all day when the sides took to the court for the final quarter.
Brock opened the scoring, prompting Deni to double team her inside the semi-circle, but goal attack Meg Brennan relished the open space, firing the Blues out to a seven-goal lead.
The reigning premier gave it a late nudge, but failed to make any inroads as the Blues’ lead crept out to double digits before the siren went to confirm a remarkable 53-44 win and, with it, a grand final berth.
Blues coach Grace Hammond was overjoyed at the final whistle, praising her side for its phenomenal effort in the upset win.
“I can’t even put it into words,” Hammond said.
“We’ve known we were capable of something like this all season, but it was a matter of putting it into play.
“We’ve chipped away at it all year, we’ve had our moments, you can’t have the highs without the lows and we’ve definitely had the lows.
“But today, it was a team effort by every single person and I could not have asked for any more out of any of my girls.”
After training well during the week, Hammond said her side focused on the defensive end, with its game plan being executed superbly on the court.
“We knew we had to play a tight defensive game,” she said.
“Deni, they don’t often waste it when they’ve got the opportunity. It wore us out, but we chipped away at what we went into the game to do and got the chocolates.”
Hammond was also complimentary of her star shooting duo, with Brock especially proving a real handful for Deni’s defence.
“It’s obviously a massive target down forward, she’s six foot four (193cm), so you feel very confident going into your attack end with someone like that,” she said of Brock.
“Even our goal attack Meg Brennan, a lot of people underestimate the talent she has as a player. Those two work together so well.”
With a grand final appearance now secured in a fortnight’s time, Hammond will be urging her side to soak up every second before the big dance.
“Nothing needs to change on our end and we just need to enjoy it,” she said.
“I said to the girls if we’re not enjoying it, we’re not going to win, and today I think it was quite evident that everyone was so happy to be out there and happy to be there for one another.
“We’re just going to enjoy these next two weeks in the lead up to the granny and work at it again.”
In the Sunday semi-final, it was Mulwala that prevailed over Moama.
Hannah Richards and Eden Drennan battled hard for Moama in the final term, but were unable to stop a rampant Mulwala, which powered away to win 47-33 and book a spot in the preliminary final against Deniliquin next week.