Keeley O’Dwyer played an enormous role in the Shepparton B-grade premiership victory over Echuca on Sunday.
Sure, the headlines going in were occupied by wall-to-wall Echuca teams contending for Goulburn Valley League flags on the court and the field and the B-grade title was another in that string of potential successes.
By Sunday afternoon’s final siren, though, O’Dwyer had asserted herself into the picture.
Awarded the medal for best-on-court in her side’s 48-41 triumph over the Murray Bombers, O’Dwyer wished not to dwell on the individual recognition she had earned.
Instead, much echoing the sentiments of her coach both pre and post-game, O’Dwyer celebrated the teamwork and collaboration that helped shut Echuca down.
“I’m extremely proud of the effort all the girls put out,” O’Dwyer said.
“We had a lot of ups and downs this year, people coming in and out of the team.
“To come together like this is a big win for us today.”
Echuca, 17-1 in regular season play, was an imposing force.
Aside from an early period in the second term and the final handful of minutes with the game already decided, though, O’Dwyer and her defensive staff held their charging foes at bay.
“Trust in one another got us over the line,” O’Dwyer said.
“It took the whole defensive end to turn over goals because (Echuca) are a very good side in attack.
“It was going to take all game and everyone to overcome them.”
O’Dwyer paid tribute to the unquestionably pro-Bears home atmosphere as well.
“It’s amazing, having the support of the locals,” O’Dwyer said.
“It was outstanding how many people came down to support us.”