Goulburn Valley League A-grade netball supporters were treated to a classic encounter on Saturday afternoon with Shepparton Swans defeating Rochester by one goal.
The nail-biting round 17 match-up at Shepparton’s Princess Park was always going to be an entertaining match, however, few could predict the drama that would unfold.
With Rochester sitting in seventh and Shepparton Swans eighth before the game, both sides were still an outside chance to play finals and the scoreline of 46 to 45 made for an end-to-end contest.
Swans coach Courtney Simpson said it was a “ripping” game of netball.
“It was absolutely fantastic,” Simpson said.
“We’re two teams that I suppose have been fairly evenly matched and both are still sort of vying to keep that chance alive for that last finals spot.”
Simpson said after losing a number of close games this season, including a two-goal defeat to Shepparton in round 15, the side had figured out how to end the game stronger.
“We just haven’t controlled the ball in those last few minutes and we’ve actually worked on that in the last month since losing to the Bears by two goals,” she said.
“What was fantastic for us was that we were able to put that into play and control the ball in the last minute or so to stay in front.
“It was certainly a very tight, tough game, both teams played really well.”
Simpson said Rochester goaler Teal Hocking had a great game in the ring, with her performance putting pressure on the Swans to make sure they took their chances.
She said the entire side stood up on the day, with each member of the team doing their job.
“Ash McMahon ended up getting our (best-on) award and our defenders Hannah Garner and Ella Cirillo, they were really vital,” she said.
“When you’re against an opponent that’s scoring the way she (Hocking) was you’ve got to take every opportunity that you can and they maintained a level of intensity for 60 minutes, it was really the difference I think.
“Our attacking end also played really well and had great connections.
“They (the squad) continue to come together as a group and work for each other and it makes me incredibly proud."
With a place in the finals out of the side’s control, Simpson said the Swans would continue to push forward positively.
The win sees them jump above Rochester into seventh spot with one game remaining in the regular season.