GEELONG Cougars players undoubtedly saw the M-League Mixed Premier Division title almost flash before their eyes when dead-eye shooter Connor Lilly took a chance in the dying seconds of Wednesday night’s grand final. After holding sway for most of the second half, and for a large chunk of it leading by five goals, the Cougars had an almighty scare as the Panthers juggernaut clicked into gear. Luckily for the second placed side, the subsequent Lilly shot missed, and Sarah Szczykulski was able to grab the loose ball for the most important rebound – or intercept given the shot missed the post – of her career, for Geelong to win by a goal, 52-51.

The Parkville Panthers had headed in as strong favourites for the clash, having easily accounted for Geelong by 20 goals just a couple of weeks earlier, albeit with the Cougars missing some star players. With Mel Bragg and Zanna Woods bother returning to the side, the Geelong team was just as stacked as the Parkville one who welcomed back Riley Richardson and Brodie Roberts for the Victorian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (VMMNA) decider.

For most of the first half, both sides were goal-for-goal, with Parkville taking a two-goal lead into quarter time, and then Geelong levelling the scores with an equally impressive second term to be 36 goals apiece at the main break. Cameron Allum had put up 19 goals, with Woods (five) playing a great supportive role, and one that would only get more impactful as the game went on.

Richardson was rested for the first half alongside Lilly for the Panthers, whilst Geelong’s Gerard Murphy missed the first term before coming on at goalkeeper midway through the second quarter. Parkville initially went out to a two-goal buffer early in the second term, but Geelong turned it around by scoring a massive 18 goals to 13 to lead by five at the final break (42-37). Bragg and Jake Noonan switched their wing attack and centre bibs respectively, as Szczykulski went into goal keeper, and Murphy back up to goal defence, before Jake Dambrauskas came on for the second half of the third term in goal defence.

Lilly emergence at goal attack (17 goals) certainly helped the Panthers, as Amy Starzer moved from goal attack to goal shooter, and finished with 10 goals for the match. Roberts, who had been impressive in the first three quarters before being replaced by Lilly through the third term had 24 goals himself. Another change in the second half for the Panthers was moving Casey Adamson to wing defence with Richardson coming on.

The final term was frantic and each time Parkville looked to be making inroads, Geelong pegged the Panthers back. One crucial moment was the Panthers picking up a turnover only to lose it again to Dambrauskas. He managed to get it to Allum, but he uncharacteristically missed a couple of chances through Jake Hederics‘ pressure, and the Panthers had a let off. Both teams had a few nervous turnovers in the final minutes, but the Panthers were coming.

With 40 seconds remaining, Parkville levelled the scores at 51 goals apiece. Geelong wasted no time going up its attacking end and going one-up again, to then apply fierce defence on the Panthers. Parkville had the tricky decision between scoring quickly and doing the same, or trying to level the scores with the last play and forcing extra time. In the end, the ball came into Lilly’s hands for the final shot. Having scored 13 goals in the quarter, he was more than capable of delivering the final blow. But uncharacteristically he missed and it was pulled down by Szczykulski who cleared the ball much to the roar of the Geelong fans. The Cougars held onto the ball in the dying few seconds and the buzzer sounds for a memorable Cougars win.

Woods ended up earning the Most Valuable Player (BMVP) honours for her 13 goals and numerous feeds into Allum. Bragg and Noonan were superb through the midcourt, with Szczykulski and Luke Rawlings – who played two and a half quarters in the defensive goal circle – were also strong throughout. For the Panthers, Roberts was great in the first two and a half quarters, with Georgette Paatsch and Hederics applying pressure throughout, the later impressive considering his three and a half quarters came after a full game in the Men’s Premier Division Grand Final. Elli Leydin at wing attack and Adamson through the midcourt teamed up well despite being on the losing side.

Geelong Cougars (52) defeated Parkville Panthers (51)

MVP: Zanna Woods (Geelong Cougars)