Corowa’s star netballer and key defender Sophie Hanrahan has tasted success on the national netball scene following a dramatic showdown at the 2023 Australian Netball Championships held in Morayfield, Queensland last week.
Selected to play for the Collingwood Magpies, Sophie was part of the side who clinched a hard-fought victory over the Swifts Academy on Sunday to claim the gold medal.
The game began with Collingwood taking an early lead, but the Swifts mounted a strong comeback in the second and third quarters, establishing a six-goal advantage heading into the final quarter.
However, Collingwood showcased their resilience and determination, storming back with a remarkable 20-goal surge while limiting the Swifts to just 12, resulting in a final score of 57-55 in favour of Collingwood.
Key players in Collingwood’s victory included Olivia Wilkinson, who shone as a solid target in attack with 32 goals from 34 attempts and nine assists, and Montana Holmes, who contributed 23 feeds, 15 assists, and made crucial gains and intercepts in the mid-court. Jessica Conlan and Sophie Fawns also delivered standout performances despite the game’s outcome, with Conlan providing 34 feeds and 28 assists, and Fawns contributing 33 goals from 40 attempts along with feeds and assists.
Described by commentators as “really great at providing disruptions’, Sophie Hanrahan came on on as Goal Keeper during the crucial last 11 minutes of the match.
Sophie’s defensive pressure and disruptive tactics proved instrumental in Collingwood’s comeback.
With just minutes remaining on the clock, an uncharacteristic miss by the Swifts’ shooter allowed Sophie to seize the opportunity, making a decisive turnover that allowed Collingwood to secure the lead and eventually the victory.
The victory at the Australian Netball Championships served as a fitting conclusion to Collingwood’s netball program, which had recently folded from Super Netball.