Victoria has made it back-to-back wins in the Australian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association Open Men’s Championship played in Melbourne recently.
Former local netballer, Tom Hardwick was part of the winning Victorian side for the second straight year.
The grand final was a thrilling encounter with Victoria prevailing 44-42.
With one win each at the tournament heading into this match, the grand final was always going to be another epic clash between these two rivals.
In front of a packed stadium, Victoria came out strong, dominating the first quarter to take a 14 to 8 lead.
But not to be denied, New South Wales fought back, their defensive pressure ramped up and they closed the gap to just four by halftime.
To kick off the third quarter, Victoria made a change in the shooting circle, Roberts stepped in at goal shooter while Killey received physio treatment, with Hardwick given the task off running out front.
New South Wales, riding the momentum from their second quarter resurgence, kept their line up unchanged after grinding the margin down steadily.
Continually ramping up the pressure, New South Wales won back crucial ball to
convert, cutting the margin to just two goals within the first five minutes.
Feeling the heat, Victoria responded by injecting game changing fresh legs of Connor Lily at goal attack, bringing back their man mountain, Killey, to reclaim their go-to target under the post.
Down the other, Germech found space with ease in the circle as the Victorian duo of Byron and Punshon focused their attention on double-teaming Brice under the post.
Germech nailing a high volume of shots to help put his side in the lead for the first time in the game.
With momentum swinging and just four minutes left on the clock, the game went goal for goal in a nail-biting stretch.
In the final seconds of the third stanza, New South Wales captain, Nexhip came up with a huge intercept off a centre pass, a play that could’ve restored a two goal lead for Victoria.
Instead, Germech scored on the buzzer levelling up the score at 33 all.
With a title on the line it was a hard fought start to the final quarter with New South Wales winning critical balls in some intense plays, to advance in front by three goals.
But Victoria weren’t done yet, capitalising on the amazing defensive pressure of Punshon, Byron and Pring to put them back
in front.
Playing smart in the dying minutes, the Victorian side treasured every possession making sure the right options presented before feeding
Killey under the post to win the match by two goals in an epic finale.
