Netball
23 September, 2024
Warriors B-Grade netballers score amazing upset
Stawell Warriors produced a fantastic upset, defeating Horsham by three goals in a thriller in the B-Grade grand final.
Heading into the game, the Warriors were the underdog, finishing fourth on the ladder with nine wins, whilst Horsham finished first with 14 wins.
In the first quarter, Horsham secured a four-goal lead at quarter-time. The Warriors bounced back in the second quarter to trail by one go at half-time.
In the third quarter, it was goal-for-goal and high-pressure netball, with the margin staying the same at three-quarter time.
The Warriors started to produce a lot of pressure, which caused turnovers that they capitalised on. Despite losing key player Jade Cross to injury, they gradually broke away late in the game to win 45-42.
Holly Graveson scored 37 goals in the win, and Nicole McEvoy scored eight. Hayley Reid scored 26 for the Demons with Brianna Luciani scoring 26.
The Warriors played the Southern Mallee Thunder, Minyip Murtoa, and Horsham Saints in tough games to the grand final, while the Demons had a week off, played the Saints, and had another week off, which may have played a part.
The Warriors are coached by mother/daughter Christine and Holly Graveson.
Christine said they were quietly confident coming into the match.
"I had this good feeling today, and I said it in the group chat with the girls," Christine said.
"To the girls' credit, they brought their best netball at the right time of the year, and it's a great result.
"I felt during the season we probably weren't performing what we were capable of, and we had a few injuries and sickness, so we knew we were a lot better than where we were situated."
"All the stars aligned when we got to the finals with a fully fit and healthy team, and we knew we could push it all the way, especially having tough matches in the leadup."
"It's an even special victory having my daughter with me and my other daughter on the bench."
Holly said the girls lifted when Cross went off the court.
"Jade is an integral part of our team, and it was a bit disheartening when she went down," Holly said.
"Jade has never won a senior premiership, so we wanted to get it done for her. She is a champion player and deserves it, so I am thrilled we won.
"In the last quarter, I was yelling to the girls to slow the ball down because as soon as you get worked up and pass it around quickly, it doesn't work."
"The best thing for our team is to work the ball and have patience. The girls did that, and when the buzzer sounded, I had no clue we won as I didn't hear it, and when I knew we won, it was a special feeling."