Parrots relive a netball triumph for the ages

ONE of the greatest Gippsland A Grade Netball Grand Finals of all time was remembered and relived last Saturday when the premiers of 2003, Leongatha, got together for a 20-year reunion.

And they didn’t have to look too far to find a rallying point when they were watching the players of today go around with one of their number, all those years ago, Kate Browne, formerly Kate Govers, still playing in the A Grade team of 2023.

Quite some effort that.

And not just making up the numbers, playing a leading role in attack for the top Leongatha team, and being named among the best in the match.

But, with the day’s play over, featuring a strong win by Moe, there was plenty of time for the team of 2003 to reminisce, against the backdrop of some photos and newspaper clippings from the day and a celebratory drink or two in the clubrooms afterwards.

“We were physically drained at the end,” said Kate McCarthy.

“It went into a third overtime before we got the win.”

And even then, it was literally touch and go.

“It was neck and neck all the way between us and Maffra, nothing in it,” said Kirsty Bolge.

“It was a draw after full time, and the same after two periods of overtime. Finally, Maffra put up a shot that didn’t drop and Andrea (Pearce) got her long arms in there and we got the rebound.”

The ball went end to end and Kelly Boyd put up the last shot of the day which fell in just as the siren sounded. Wow, what a match, what a win.

The win had its own way of reviving the spent Leongatha players and they celebrated the achievement, for three days!

Not all the players of 2003 got back for the premiership reunion but there was a good turnout with Kirsty Bolge (Salmon), Sally Trease (Rayson), Kate Browne (Govers), Andrea Pearce and Kate McCarthy. Other premiership team members were Jessie Geitz, Kelly Boyd, and Tameka Bullen.