The Cavaliers have completed the ultimate redemption story after overcoming cross-town rivals Northern Hawks in the Tasmanian Netball League grand final 62 to 57.
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After suffering defeat in last season's grand final, the Cavaliers bounced back from a slow start to be crowned champions once again.
The Hawks started the better of the cross-town rivals from the opening pass and broke out to an early four goal lead.
The Cavaliers appeared to struggle with the early intensity of the big day and misplaced a few passes through the mid-court while the Hawks took full toll in their attacking third.
Kendall Jones and Ashlea Mawer were in-sync from the first whistle with Jones passing to Mawer's height advantage and Mawer's impeccable shooting key drivers to the Hawks eight goal lead at the break.
The Cavs had settled into the game and showed their mettle early in the second term.
Their centre play was noticeably sharper and more efficient out of the mid-court as Hayley McDougall took advantage of the improved delivery to reduce the deficit.
The Hawks struggled to string together passes in their attacking third as the Cavs lifted their defensive work-rate to close down the easy passing lanes they had given up in the first term.
Cavaliers co-coach Dan Roden was glowing in his assessment of his team's rebounding second term.
"The last three times we've played them we've had to come back from a deficit so I guess the girls had that self-belief," he said.
"The belief was there that they could win this, providing that we just stuck to the process and I think they went out and executed."
The third term proved enthralling as the crowd grew noticeably more vocal heading towards the final change. Despite Monique Dufty impressing on Mawer, both teams traded goals in a masterclass of precision shooting to ensure that both teams went to the break level.
"We had to make a couple of key changes Dee Wadley and she's quite an experienced campaigner and she was prepared to let the ball go through to Hayley," Roden said.
"I think Hayler really stood out in that quarter ... we knew that if we could force the ball and get it into her quickly to a one-on-one contest we were backing her to win that contest.
"We bought on Monique and Bec into goal-keeper goal defence and that really changed the defensive end."
The Hawks grabbed the first of the last but the Cavaliers mid-court, led by Shelby Miller, effected some crucial stops which enabled them to secure a two-goal lead early in the term.
Zoe Claridge delivered a clutch shot with three minutes to go before McDougall added another two in quick succession to deliver the Cavaliers a match-winning lead which they held to the final siren.
The Cavaliers triumphant caps off a fine season for the club which has featured in the last three grand finals.
Cavaliers captain Shelby Miller paid tribute to her side's resilience during the grand final.
"Everyone does such an amazing job whether you're a player or staff member behind the scenes, we wouldn't be where we are today without that," she said.
"They make the club so professional and they make it easy for us to come here on game day and just do the job."
Star shooter McDougall capped off a terrific grand final by bringing up her 1000th goal of the season and being named player of the final.
"She's gotta do her job which is to pull in [passes] and turn and shoot, she did that today and that's why she deserved MVP, she had a cracker and we used her as the catalyst to spark our resurgence," Roden said.
"It's fantastic having [McDougall] in the circle to just turn and se her strong body in there we just trust her ... she has come such a long way since she joined the club," Miller said.
In the under-19 grand final, Devon proved victorious over the Waratahs by two points, winning 37 to 35.
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Adam Daunt
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
Sports reporter at The Examiner. Focus on basketball and netball but occasionally rolls the arm over for some cricket coverage in the summer. Previously from Adelaide with a stint in Byron Bay. Get in touch: adam.daunt@examiner.com.au.
