By Tara Murray
Romsey gave its all in the Riddell District Netball League grand final, but couldn’t match it with red hot Macedon.
Having taken the Cats to one goal in the second semi-final, the Redbacks were hoping to upset them in the grand final.
It wasn’t to be, with the undefeated Cats winning 56-44.
Redbacks coach Luke Marko Rawlings said the Cats didn’t put a foot wrong in the grand final.
“The team that plays simple netball and doesn’t put a foot wrong is usually the team to be the one that comes out on top,” he said.
The difference between the two sides became apparent in the second quarter.
The Cats went from three goals up at quarter-time to eight goals up at the main break.
The margin stayed about six to eight goals until it blew out late.
Marko Rawlings said the Redbacks weren’t able to overcome the deficit.
“All it takes is that one quarter of six to seven goals,” he said. “That set the scene for the rest of the game.
“We wanted to fight back and thought we could, but couldn’t quite come through.”
Chelsea Ross was the Redbacks’ best player, as she had been in all the finals.
Marko Rawlings praised Cayley Armstrong, who came into the game with a foot injury and rolled her ankle in the third quarter.
“For her to rock up and play the way she did was fantastic,” he said.
The season has been a success for the Redbacks, with not many people expecting them to make it back to the grand final.
They lost several players from last year’s premiership side in the off season.
They then lost Bronwyn Blair through injury, while Hope Evans played only a few A-grade matches.
Marko Rawlings said they continued to move forward and gave players A-grade experience.
“All the girls should be super proud,” he said. “Going through four goalers … You have to push forward, which we did and gave ourselves the chance, which is all you can ask for.
“Kendra [Vann], she was originally a goalkeeper and she played wing defence all season and stepped up massively.
“Meg [Sampson] sat on the bench for us most games and tried to help out when she could.”
In encouraging signs for the future, most of the playing group is aged between 20 and 25.
Marko Rawlings said he hoped to be back next year to see what eventuates with the side.
“If they can stick together for the next couple of years, good things can happen,” he said.
For more on the grand final:
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/macedons-perfect-premiership/
