Top State League goalie Ashlea Mawer would much prefer to lead by her shots on court than her words.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
More than a standout 1100 goals this year for Northern Hawks is testimony to that.
But the reserved 22-year-old did more than just a little bit of fist pumping when the minor premier finally hit the front against grand final rivals, AYC-Friends Arrows, early in the final term.
That show of emotion had been held back since the last time Hawks took the lead two and half quarters earlier in Saturday’s blockbuster.
There was more than just a come on or two in Mawer’s message to teammates.
“I certainly was trying to [pump them up],” she said.
“When we got in front, I wanted everyone to settle but maintain the vast possession.
“Just so we could keep up the scoring and build on the lead.”
Ruth Tuohy’s side wrestled back the ascendancy.
After back-to-back grand final heartbreakers against their nemesis, they could see Arrows were tiring.
It was all Mawer needed to lift one last time.
The motivation pushed the goal shooter to 60 goals from 68 attempts, the bulk come in the last quarter during the 66-57 victory at the Hobart Netball and Sports Centre.
“There are four of us in the team that have been here three times already,” she said, looking back over at the Arrows’ bench.
“This one would have hurt the most if we had have lost. Thankfully, we didn’t.”
Mawer felt the personal milestone of just the second player in State League history to break the 1000-goal a season barrier – in the last round against Cavaliers – would have been hollow had the club’s 23-year wait extended a further season.
“The feeling has been pretty good between the girls all year,” she said.
“We wanted to win for each other, get around each other and do this for each other.”
After missing the last cut to claim a spot in the Tasmanian Magpies squad – the Australian Netball League side went on to win its inaugural premiership after just two seasons – Mawer only had to look over to a familiar face to remember what she loved about the game.
There was sister Chelsea Mawer, the 20-year-old controlling the midcourt and driving the Hawks to the improbable title win in a 21-10 last quarter.
It took the elder sibling back to the days at home with a netball in hand.
“It is very special to share it with my sister – we’re very close and very similar,” she said. “Though she’s a little bit shorter than I am, so I used to always get the ball off of her.”
There are four of us in the team that have been here three times already. This one would have hurt the most if we had have lost
- Hawks shooter Ash Mawer