East Gambier did it.
The Bulldogs became the first team other than Millicent to lift the Bendigo Bank Western Border Netball Association A Grade premiership trophy in 13 years after the most enthralling of circumstances at Malseed Park on Saturday.
Despite the red and black setting the pace throughout the 2021 season, the grand final remained a David versus Goliath story which followed a script no one could have written.
An East side full of determination searching for its first A Grade flag since 1984 was up against a new-look – but classy – Saints side desperate to defend its proud record of 11-straight flags.
The Bulldogs showed they were up for the fight by starting well and moving the ball cleanly to gain a seven-goal lead by quarter time.
But it did not take long for Millicent’s grand final expertise to shine through with young star Lucy Denton flying through the centre to provide shooter Tabatha Sanderson with plenty of opportunities.
The Saints wrestled back the lead and with less than a minute to go it had appeared Millicent had done enough controlling possession with a two-goal lead.
But an intercept from Bulldog battler Bo Creek caught the Saints off guard and produced the perfect opportunity for Gray to slot the two goals needed to tie the scores before the final whistle.
Having pulled themselves together from the shock of a grand final draw, the players prepared for battle in extra time and the contest remained as fierce as ever.
The atmosphere was electric as both sides went goal for goal to keep the result up in the air until the very end.
East managed to keep its nose in front and eventually the final whistle marked the end of a 34-year wait and the entire team collectively fell into a puddle of ecstasy on court.
Bulldogs’ premiership coach Emily Hunter said it took a long time to come to grips with what the team achieved.
“It took a while sink in,” she said.
“We have a lot of respect for Millicent because they are a very talented and well-coached side, but we have finally got the outcome we wanted and we definitely celebrated hard.”
Hunter said her team’s ability to race out of the blocks set up the thrilling win.
“It was our aim to get off to a really good start because first quarters against Millicent are vital,” she said.
“We wanted to build on it, but unfortunately they kept pegging it back by being quick and smart.”
With no one victorious at full time, Hunter said it was surreal thinking the battle had to recommence.
But backed by the passionate support of the entire club holding up humorous red and black signs, she paid credit to her girls’ coolness under pressure to get the job done and smash away over three decades of heartache.
“Initially it was a heartbreak thinking we had almost lost it, but there were a lot of mixed emotions in a short period of time,” she said.
“Then it was a good feeling because it gave us the opportunity we deserved to finish it off and we had to forget how exhausted we were.
“We remained composed at the right times and happened to be in the lead at the end.
“I still get shivers talking about it winning a flag with my best mates.”
