By Tara Murray
Macedon capped off the perfect season with an almost perfect performance in the Riddell District Netball League grand final.
The Cats were keen to finish the season with a premiership after being undefeated through the regular season and the finals.
Facing Romsey in the grand final, the Cats knew they needed to be at their best.
The last time the two teams met, the Cats won by a goal in what they described as their worst performance of the season.
There was no repeat this time, as the Cats took a match-winning lead in the second quarter.
The Redbacks could not get any closer than five goals in the second half and the Cats won, 56-44.
For Cats playing coach Ciara Stewart the win was several years in the making.
It was the Cats’ third grand final in four years. The core group from this year have been the foundation of the team for the past three years.
“We did all the little things right,” Stewart said.
“Once we warmed up we were calm. They are such a good side and we match up well.
“We’re an experienced side that doesn’t get panicked.
“We stayed really disciplined.”
The Cats entered the grand final without RDNL team of the year member Tayissa Coppinger, who was overseas.
Having known about Coppinger’s absence for a number of weeks the Cats planned a number of different options to fill her spot.
It was an even first quarter before the Cats broke the game open in the second.
“It didn’t feel any different to any other quarter,” Stewart said of the second quarter.
“We had passages of play where we opened it up and were able to score really quickly.”
The Cats made a few changes in the midcourt at half-time to bring on fresh legs.
They also brought on Georgia Tatnall at goalkeeper to replace Katie Clarke during the third quarter. Stewart said Clarke wasn’t doing a bad job, they just wanted to change it up and not be predictable.
“It’s about mixing things up,” she said.
“Gee did a great job coming on and we all play together on Tuesdays with all three of them.
“It was about stopping Chelsea [Ross] with a more holding defender.”
Chloe Wilson added another accolade to her season as she was named the grand final’s most valuable player.
She had already claimed the Ryan Medal, as the best player in the league across the season.
Stewart said Wilson stepped her game up.
“Chloe normally has a bad first quarter,” Stewart said. “Today we needed her to do her job and she did that.
“She had to stay in the ring and do short, sharp passes. Chloe and I’ve played together for years and it all went to plan.”
Stewart said after being so close the past two years, this win was special.
“It feels really surreal and I know some of those girls badly wanted it,” she said.
“Katie so badly wanted it.
“They’re just such good girls, some of my best friends and I’ve been coaching them forever.
“We’ve been capable of doing it, but it was about putting it together.
“Who gets to play and win like this with their best friends?”
It wasn’t all positives for the Cats as their B-grade netball side fell short against Rupertswood in their grand final.
After beating the Sharks in the semi-final, there was no repeat this time.
The Sharks dominated the game, winning 45-25.
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For more on RDNL grand finals:
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/romsey-lose-decider-looks-to-future/
