Geelong Cougars can hold their heads high for a successful season despite losing Wednesday night’s Under 23 Victorian Netball League grand final to Melbourne University Lightning.
It took the Lightning three and a half quarters to put the Cougars away and claim the championship 54 to 42 at State Netball Centre, Parkville.
The Cougars came from fifth spot on the ladder to win their first two finals and gained direct entry to the decider, but University was too strong when it mattered most.
Geelong took a three-goal lead into the first break before University regrouped and led by one at half-time.
The Lightning gradually got on top in the third, but a late rally by Geelong kept the margin to just four going into the final term.
University upped the ante in the last quarter and forced the Cougars into making turnovers and by halfway through the term the match, and the championship, was theirs.
Coach Mel Savage said she couldn’t have been any prouder of her young group, which has an average age of just 18.
“It was just an exceptional effort and achievement in itself and they exceeded our expectations and we’re incredibly proud of them,” she said.
The Cougars battled to even make finals, finishing 5th before winning both their qualifying finals.
Savage said the tender age of the squad means that they could contend for several years.
“They’ve shown they have this beautiful connection on and off the court,” she said.
“The development in this group has been phenomenal. They were disappointed in the game they put together because they set such high standards for themselves.
“The development in this group individually has been exceptional.”
