BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS: King Valley’s victorious A grade team (back, from left) Olivia Szeligiewicz, Georgie Fisher, Larissa Benci, Amy Byrne, Renee Collet, Sam Pulverenti, Rachael Cavallin, Renee Palmer, (front, from left) Deanna Mawson, Stacey O’Brien and Leah Kelly celebrate their second straight premiership. PHOTO: Melissa Beattie
KING Valley overcame a slow start in Saturday’s A grade grand final to achieve back-to-back premierships against Milawa in a one-goal, 40-39, thriller.
There were plenty of nerves on both sides, with the class of Milawa’s Kate Finnegan and King Valley’s Stacey O’Brien and Deanna Mawson calming their teams after a jumpy start.
It was evident from the start of the game that the inclusion of O’Brien straightened the Roos’ attack, as she combined well with centre dynamo Leah Kelly to send through a number of quality passes.
But Milawa stood up to be counted, and after opening a quick two-goal lead early in the opening quarter, the Demons collectively raised their game to another level and with a goal after the quarter time horn they lead 13-8.
The Roos were up for the Demons’ challenge and in the second term, after a tight tussle in the first half of the quarter, they exploded into life.
Refusing to take a a backwards step, the Roos were able to claw their way back into the match, undoing the five-goal quarter time margin by scoring the final three goals of the first half to trail by just two goals at the main break.
Last Modified on 13/09/2016 11:16
