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WARRACK Eagles staged an incredible last-quarter comeback to steal a one-goal victory with a 33-32 win against Horsham in the Wimmera Netball Association’s A Grade grand final on Saturday.
A huge home crowd looked on as the Eagles turned around a five-goal, half-time deficit.
It was a close game for most of the match, with the Demons taking an early lead.
They were able to keep the Eagles at bay through the first three quarters.
But the fast finishing Eagles drew level mid-way through the final term in an incredible fightback.
Soon after both their shooters missed scoring chances to put them up and the Demons scored twice more to take a two point lead
That could have been it for the Eagles but they kept coming, scoring the last three goals of the game to re-take the lead.
Megan Werner was terrific under the ring, rebounding well against the Demons’ young defender, Georgia Hiscock.
Werner and Ella Bibby at goal shooter kept their cool as they netted three more goals in a row to storm in front with only minutes remaining.
Bibby’s final goal, which was also the last of the game, came from a long way from the ring.
It was a an incredible shot, let go under extreme pressure, but Bibby did not flinch and calmly put it away.
At the other end the Demons had their chances to steal the lead back.
But the Eagles defence, led by Penny Fisher, kept them out.
Fisher was outstanding as she made several crucial intercepts late in the game to drag her side to victory.
Her work kept the momentum with the Eagles, even when the shooters were missing shots, allowing Horsham to stay in front with a narrow lead.
The experienced Fisher was rewarded for her performance with the best on court meda
Warrack Eagles’ captains, Leiah McKenzie and Sarah Spicer said the feeling among the team after the game was “bloody awesome”.
“We knew anything could happen in 15 minutes of netball,” Spicer said.
“We went out there thinking we could do it in the last quarter but we are a little surprised.”
“Fitness was a big thing, I think that really helped us finish well.”
McKenzie said the Warrack team had played for each other and never dropped their heads when they were behind throughout the game.
“The team-work as well, we all did it for each other,” she said.
“Young Ella Bibby shooting those long bombs, and then the older, more experienced Penny Fisher getting those intercepts in the last five minutes probably saved the day.”