KANGAROO Flat has broken its A-grade netball premiership drought in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL competition.
The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos capped an unbeaten run to premiership glory as it won Saturday’s grand final showdown with Sandhurst.
The Kangaroos players and fans were jumping for joy after a 59-51 victory at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
It had been a decade in the waiting since the Kangaroos had raised the premiership cup.
They had done so back in 2016 after a nine-goal win against Golden Square.
The Roos’ line-up of ’25 went in as favourites against an opponent it had beaten in three previous meetings this season.
For many in the Flat’s line-up there was the pain of a two-goal loss to Gisborne in last September’s play-off to spur them on.
The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst which had plenty of premiership-winning experience on court kept the heat on all match.
By quarter-time Kangaroo Flat led 17-12.
Both teams scored 12 goals in the second as the Roos were up 29-24 by the main break.
The Roos bound clear a couple of times, but the Dragons lifted their intensity and were able to claw their way back into the game.
The Kangaroos led 45-38 going into the final quarter.
The experience of Alicia McGlashan in defence, captain Chelsea Sartori in the centre, Abbey and Ashley Ryan became a telling factor.
By the final siren the Kangaroos led 59-51.
Kangaroo Flat goaler Ruby Barkmeyer earnt the best on court medal.
It was a second BOC medal as Barkmeyer was the Roos’ best in the 2016 grand final win.
Victorious coach Jayden Cowling marked his first A-grade premiership as coach.
A long-time coach and key figure at Kangaroo Flat, Cowling said many people were behind the on-court success.
“For our A-grade girls this has been a very long time coming,” Cowling said.
“We have lost grand finals, we have gone out in straight sets and we finally bloody did it.”
A multiple premiership winner, Alicia McGlashan was best on court in the Kangaroo Flat’s premiership victory in 2014.
McGlashan returned to Dower Park after a coaching stint with South Bendigo.
Kangaroo Flat’s latest A-grade premiership team:
Ruby Barkmeyer, Stephanie Greene, Teal Hocking, Ingrid Hopkins, Alicia McGlashan, Abbey Ryan, Ashley Ryan, Chelsea Sartori, Milly Wicks, and Megan Wilson.
Coach: Jayden Cowling.
As they enjoy a special moment the Kangaroos squad will also soon start planning on their quest for back-to-back premierships.
The club has done so twice before – 2003-04, and 2009-10.
A memorable end to the ’25 campaign for Kangaroo Flat included victory in the A-reserve grand final.
The Ashley Ryan-coached Kangaroos bound their way to a 50-29 victory against Sandhurst.
The win capped a great season for Ella Wicks who had earnt the Jenni Holborn as the competition’s fairest and best player.
Wicks was also best-on-court in the grand final.
The Kangaroos’ A-reserve premiership team:
Lani Burns, Bronte Deary, Ava Hamilton, Ava Lowndes, Emma Moroney, Ash O’Shea, Bella Pearce, Bella Pitto, and Ella Wicks.
There were four clubs represented on grand final day and three claimed at least one victory.
Gisborne celebrated a premiership double.
The Rylee Connell-coached B-grade team scored a 55-44 win against Kangaroo Flat.
The team in red, white and blue included Reese Sutton who was this season’s Carol Bingham medallist as league fairest and best.
The medal for best-on-court in the grand final was presented to Gisborne’s Hannah Weier.
Gisborne’s premiership-winning team in B-grade:
Bella Connors, Charlotte Crook, Olivia Fenn, Emma Joyce, Nirvana Martin, Emily McDonald, Charlotte McMurray, Georgia Murray, Monty Paton, Taylah Ranieri, Reese Sutton, and Hannah Weier.
Coach: Rylee Connell. Assistant coach: Tarryn Rymer.
Gisborne netted a 45-32 win against Sandhurst in B-reserve.
Long-time player Shelley Farrugia was victorious coach.
It was an outstanding feat by Gisborne to be unbeaten champions.
Farrugia earnt the best-on-court medal.
The premiership team was Kirsten Andrich, Asha Connors, Jessie Connors, Macey Drayton, Shelley Farrugia, Sapphy McCarthy, Bec Merrett, Lilly Prater, Phoebe Priest, Bridget Salter, Milly Shaw, and Caytlyn Walker.
Coach: Shelley Farrugia. Assistant coach: Tarryn Rymer.
Grand final day began with a dramatic finish to the 17-and-under match between Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye.
At the final siren the Carol Cathcart and Rose Gallagher-coached Sandhurst led 40-39.
The match-winning goal was put in by Diana Napoleon who also earnt the best-on-court medal.
The rising stars from the Dragons’ den to claim a premiership medal were Tshari Brown, Mia Cox, Sarah Crowley, Tahli Gilchrist, Eva Grant, Lila Kelly, Diana Napoleon, Meg Pearce, Ese Phillips, Jaida Raco, Maycee Rinaldi, and Milla Sherriff,