Katandra has been on the ascent for years — and on Saturday at Deniliquin Memorial Park, the Kats at last clawed their way to the summit.

In a grand final laced with history and tension, Jo Moroney’s side brought Deniliquin Rovers’ two-year reign to an end with a 28-25 win that mixed grit, composure and a splash of audacity.

It was a Picola District Netball League A-grade decider that lived up to its billing and then some.

From the first centre pass it was a tug of war.

The Rovers struck first, but Katandra’s reply drew a thunderous roar from the blue-and-white contingent lining the asphalt.

Defences held sway early; only one goal apiece came in the opening exchanges.

Then, as the quarter ticked on, the Kats’ midcourt started to hum.

By the first break they’d muscled their way to a 7-4 edge, smothering the usually fluid Rovers’ feeds and rolling down court with menace.

“We came out to really set ourselves up for a good attacking game and that’s what we did from the start,” Moroney said post-game.

“It was about simple focus — attention to detail on the circle edge and on our transitions — and playing quarter by quarter.”

Quarter two saw Katandra’s shooters find their range.

Bree Dudgeon, later crowned Faye Cook Medallist for best on court, was ice-cool under the post and her timing with Alice Clurey opened lanes and forced Deniliquin to scramble.

By half-time, Katandra had carved out a 16-12 lead - and if the second term belonged to the Kats’ attack, the third showcased their defensive edge.

Elizabeth ‘Biddy’ Hawker and Rebecca Osmond locked down the Rovers’ circle, shading space and pinching intercepts as Carissa Bulmer and Abbey Wills tried to claw their side back into the contest.

Midway through the quarter, a looping Katandra shot bounced on the rim three times before dropping — a moment that had the Kats’ bench leaping as one.

At the last change it was 25-19.

Moroney credited her engine room for keeping Katandra ticking over.

“I can’t go past Sarah Down,” she said.

“She was phenomenal in our midcourt, gave us depth, gave us attacking drive but also knowledge.

“And Biddy Hawker down back — she saved a few intercepts and really turned what could be a nervous wait into positive energy.”

The final quarter was pure drama.

Abbey Monk and Down swapped midcourt roles to steady the ship as Deniliquin surged with Wills hitting back-to-back goals, trimming the gap from five to three.

The Rovers’ crowd sensed an opening.

But Clurey’s steadying shot under pressure stopped the rot and restored the Kats’ breathing space.

In the dying moments it was all noise and fingernails.

Players from the earlier C-grade final lined the sideline to join the roar, and when the final whistle sounded, Katandra’s bench emptied in a blur of blue, embracing a result that felt like years of frustration lifted in one afternoon.

“It’s what we set out to do,” Moroney said.

“We achieved every milestone along the journey of the game — the highs, the lows, the intercepts, the attacks, the crowd. It was a great win against quality opposition.”

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Wednesday, 7th December 2022

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