It was a case of the apprentice following in the footsteps of the master as Hayley McDougall joined Northern Hawks star Ashlea Mawer in the rarefied air of 1000 goals across the Tasmanian Netball League season.
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1000 goals might not sound like a lot on a FitBit watch but in context to a netball season, it marks a terrific season for any netball goal-shooter.
Mawer and McDougall both reached the vaunted milestone in the 2021 Tasmanian Netball League season with the Cavaliers shooter bringing up the number during the recent grand final.
Mawer and McDougall shared in their admiration of their opposing number in the wake of reaching the impressive figure.
"It's always been like growing up you idolise someone like Ash because she's just been so dominant and you kind of want to become like her and play like her so it's really exciting to be able to share the same type of achievement as Ash," McDougall said.
"It's awesome and it's great that Hayley has got there as well which is such an awesome achievement, it makes me feel old, which is something different because I realise that I am older in the team but she's done a really good job," Mawer said.
It was McDougall's first season as a 1000 goal shooter after being predominantly stationed as a goal-shooter for the Cavs having played both ends in previous years.
"I feel like I definitely have a bit more of an idea about shooting and attacking rather than that defending perspective but I just feel like shooting is definitely where I belong," she said.
"I am a lot more at home in the goal-shooter role."
The Cavs star said that the individual milestone could not be made possible without her teammates support.
"It's all the work out the front like I couldn't have been able to do it without all the intercepts and the way everyone brings it down, [the goals] are just something that happens along the way, which is really exciting," she said.
Mawer is no stranger to the milestone, having reached it three seasons consecutively to 2019 and again this year, to be the TNL's premier shooter.
"I've done it a few times but I think it goes down to you can't score many goals unless your team gets the ball to you, defenders have to turn it over, centre court has to get it to you, it's a whole team effort as well," she said.
"I get the ball, I shoot the ball, I get it in, I do my job, like that's how I see it and I am happy if I do my job."
Despite several seasons as the Hawks' prime attacker, Mawer felt she had made improvements to her game this season.
"I feel like my conditioning was a lot better this year than it has been in previous seasons so in that respect I feel like I've improved my game, shooting-wise I think I was off my best but 88 per cent [during the season] is nothing to sneeze at," she said.
After playing off in the grand final this season, where McDougall was awarded best player honours on the day, both players are ready to return next season and compete for the TNL's title.
"I think it makes you more motivated, more hungry to come back again next year and keep going," Mawer said.
Do you know someone who is contributing to Northern Tasmanian sport, whether through participating or assisting?
The Examiner's Junior Sports Awards, sponsored by Woolworths, provide acknowledgement of accomplishments by players, coaches, volunteers, teams and clubs across the region.
Nominations are open from Wednesday, April 14, and will close at midnight on October 4.
Entries must include a photograph of the entrant.
