It was a tense, physical contest that was forced into overtime, but in the end East Gambier capped off a dominant season with a drought-breaking Western Border netball premiership after 34 years in the A Grade wilderness.
It also ended Millicent’s 11-year reign after a contest worthy of the occasion.
The Bulldogs controlled the contest for much of the 60 minutes of regular time, but the Saints stole the lead and set up a two-goal buffer in the final minutes before East rallied and forced the match into overtime, where they held on for a two goal victory.
The opening quarter was dominated by the Bulldogs, with Lisa Fyfe providing her impressive interceptions, Emily Hunter driving hard through the mid court and Tenille Gray finding good space in the shooting circle as some rare errors emerged early from the Saints.
The margin was six at the first break but Millicent regrouped well at the first change and started to use its speed and running ability to narrow the deficit to four at the main break.
It was an arm wrestle again in the third, which saw a 14-all scoreline, setting up the frenetic final quarter where Millicent mounted a challenge and almost stole the title.
Tyne Bosko picked up a couple of crucial turnovers in the dying minutes and Gray showed nerves of steel on the finish to keep the Bulldogs in the hunt and force the extra 14 minutes of play.
East secured the early turnover and while Millicent continued to challenge, a couple of errors eventually helped East hold on for the historic two-goal victory.
Young shooter Amryn Bosko was named best on court for her work outside the circle, often providing the outlet lead needed for her team mates and opening up space for Gray.
While Amryn Bosko was composed and reliable, her defensive opponent Portia McRae took some critical interceptions during the match.
Hannah Nitschke had the unenviable task of limiting association best and fairest Gray’s influence and made her earn every goal.
Arguably the battle of the day was Millicent’s Lisa Duldig and East’s Tarsh McCallum on the wing. Duldig shadowed McCallum’s every move and was a cool head for her side with ball in hand, while McCallum used every possession to great effect, connecting well with Gray and Amryn Bosko.
Hunter and Lucy Denton had an epic battle in the centre, with both hitting the circle hard in offence but also getting some important defensive touches, while on the other wing, Tyne Bosko was as tight checking as ever but after quarter time Paige Nitschke started to get on the move and have an influence on the contest, especially her combination with Demi Verbena.
Verbena was the player who looked like masterminding the Saints come-from-behind victory as she too recovered from a slow opening quarter to run the Millicent frontline, finish accurately and feed Tabatha Sanderson with precision, while her opponent Bo Creek worked hard over the shot and her willingness to contest forced errors from the Millicent attack line.
Fyfe provided her usual highlights reel at goal keeper and was key in setting up the early lead, while Sanderson was still a focal point under the post and when the Saints were coming late in the match, she took some strong balls under pressure and finished accurately, netting 17 from 18 in the second half.
But in the end, no one was going to stand between this East A Grade team and a date with destiny.
