MNL | Gallery | Deniliquin finishes off perfect season with grand final victory

By Daniel Webb

Sep 18, 2022

Premier: A-grade grand final winners Deniliquin. Photo: Steve Huntley Photo by Steve Huntley

The perfect season ― that is what Deniliquin achieved on Saturday afternoon, with the A-grade Murray Netball League side downing Rumbalara to secure the 2022 premiership.

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A convincing 44 to 33 result at Moama Recreation Reserve, the Rams overcame an early Rumba challenge to lock in an undefeated year on the court.

Battling through heavy rain, the A-grade contest started out close and minor premier Deni held a small 12-8 lead at quarter-time.

Goaler Rhiannan Maxwell was in fine form inside the attacking ring for Deniliquin, with the yellow and blue side building its lead to nine goals at the half-time break.

Team effort: Deniliquin comes together after the victory. Photos: Daniel Webb Photo by Daniel Webb

Well and truly in control, the Rams had answers for all of Rumbalara’s questions, pushing their way through torrential rain to head into the last change with a 38 to 25 scoreline.

In the last quarter Rumba shot well, however, in the end the Rams were too strong, running out 11-goal winners.

Speaking after the game Deniliquin coach and best-on-court Maxwell said it was “unreal” to win the grand final.

“Premierships are what everyone strives for and it’s been a long time coming for a few of these girls,” Maxwell said.

“I think we were just composed, we reset when we needed to, we kept control of the ball and that was our biggest asset today.”

Proud: Deniliquin coach Rhiannan Maxwell was pleased with her team’s efforts. Photo by Daniel Webb

Alongside the attacking Maxwell, young gun Annie Harvey was a standout for the side, while goaler Bec White broke an 11-year wait for an A-grade title.

The result caps a perfect season for Deniliquin with the side not losing a game throughout its entire campaign.

Saturday afternoon’s contest was the fourth time the Rams had faced Rumba this season, with Maxwell’s side winning all four.

Yet despite the final results, Rumba have come close to downing the undefeated premiers, edging closer each time they played and losing the semi-final by one goal.

Trying conditions: Rumbalara's Magi Hollis prepares to pass the ball in the rain. Photo by Daniel Webb

Losing two games in the home and away season, it was a successful year on the court for Rumbalara and coach Jess Bamblett said she was proud of her team for making the decider.

“Win or lose I’m just proud of the girls,” Bamblett said.

“Deni are a quality team and they were ready for it, came out from the get-go, they were just too good on the day.”

A fantastic crowd braved the wet conditions to see the big dance, with all clubs represented in the attendance.

“It was an amazing atmosphere,” Bamblett said.

“We love our community, our community get behind us all no matter rain, hail or shine and we’re just very grateful for them.”

The competition’s two best teams all season, Saturday’s contest was a fitting grand final after two COVID-19 interrupted years.