Heat Netball Club produced a fairytale start to life in the Northern Netball League, going through the 2014-15 NNL Choose Tap Senior Summer season undefeated to win its inaugural premiership.
With a strong average winning margin of 24 goals during the home and away season, the team then peaked to perfection for the Grand Final with the benefit of a solid work out in a 13-goal semi-final win against Whittlesea 1.
Despite going in as the underdogs, Bundoora Comets got off to a fast start in the Grand Final to assume an early lead.
Heat’s defenders were having trouble clearing the ball out of defence after early intercepts and the Comets defenders were doing a great job deflecting the ball out of their area.
But as nerves faded, Heat 1 began playing to their strengths with strong rebounds taken in defence and then the ball driven straight down the wings to end up as quality feeds to goalers now in much better positions.
Scores were locked at 8 apiece at quarter time and Heat 1 nudged ahead by three goals at half time on the back of an increased work rate and choosing better options.
With momentum shifted, Heat 1 players lifted further in the second half to take full advantage of goalers who were using both height and a classic running game to dominate the goal circle.
Defenders continued to clear Bundoora’s missed shots through a mid-court that was grabbing many intercepts of their own, and feeding the goalers superbly, even from as far as the centre of the court.
A game-deciding third quarter effort by Heat 1 saw them lead 33-19 at the last change.
Bundoora grabbed the first five goals of the final quarter, but despite showing plenty of endeavour, they were unable to close any further as Heat 1 went on to win in convincing style by 19 goals.
Despite the loss, runner-up Bundoora Comets also had a terrific season, overpowering Greensborough by a slim two goals in their semi-final to make it through to the Grand Final.
Congratulations to all players in both Grand Finalist teams for a fine effort, and superb performances by Jacinta Tonkin of Bundoora Comets as Grand Final Best & Fairest and Jessica Crapper of Heat for season’s Best & Fairest.
