NEWTOWN & Chilwell has written itself into the record books after concluding its undefeated season with one final victory over South Barwon in the GFNL A Grade grand final yesterday.
The Eagles conquered the reigning premier 54-31 with a dominating display of courage, skill and will to win, appearing determined and well rested after playing just one final to make the season decider. Newtown spent the season shying away from its domination of the competition but coach Jason Woolley admitted it was a relief not to fall at the final hurdle.`
`We really did try to ignore the undefeated component of it during the week because all those external factors they don't mean anything once the first whistle blows so we tried to concentrate on how we were going to play. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't sitting in the back of the girls' minds at some point but we really focused on coming out with a good start and the girls really did that, they got the score ticking over early and it just gave them confidence to get into the game,'' he said.
The Eagles, who finished 10th on the ladder last year, had a busy off-season recruiting a wealth of players and two new coaches and have reaped the ultimate reward for their overhaul. The Eagles defeated the Swans twice during the home and away season, the first in the season opener where the new-look Newtown and Chilwell put their stamp on the competition.`
`I could never dream that the scoreboard was going to blow out as much as it did but at the same time we've been on the receiving end of South Barwon coming back. Round 1 we were up by 12 at one point and it ended up being two so we knew that we couldn't switch off. I think that was the good thing to come out of that round was that we knew that we couldn't switch off so it gave every player motivation at every quarter to come out and know they have to do the job again so there was no opportunity to relax so I think maybe in retrospect that Round 1 was a little blessing,'' he said.Newtown played tight on the Swans' key ball handlers, holding them up in the centre and forcing a few longer balls into the circle that gave Casey Price and Amy Wirth an opportunity to intercept. Their pressure on the ball forced the Swans to use options they haven't had to in the past.
IN spite of having one of the toughest jobs in the high pressure match, Newtown & Chilwell defender Casey Price looked calm and focused.With some of the competition's best goalers opposing her, Price went home not only a premiership player but the grand final player of the match.Despite being awarded the day's highest individual honour Price said the prestigious honour did not come close to the feeling of having earned something as a team.``It's my first year down in the GFL and the girls have been really, really great. It's not one individual effort it really comes down to the girls that we've got in the club and on the team,'' she said.``Coming to Newtown I didn't really know anyone and I didn't know what to expect with the GFL. I suppose I was shocked at how into everything Geelong really does get, so coming to Newtown has been great. The club is amazing, the girls are amazing, and it's just been really good.''Coach Jason Woolley spoke highly of the star who, with the work of the girls around her, was able to hold up the Swans' speed. ``She's great. She's had a brilliant 2013. Her ability to match up on talls and help Amy Writh out with someone like Ruby (Horton) and Sophie (O'Shea) but also compete on the ground with Olivia (Cameron) who speeds around,'' he said.
Last Modified on 25/11/2014 22:51
