The Cougars revealed uncharacteristic signs of weakness in 2023 yet, in their greatest show of strength to date, produced an after-the-siren penalty goal 53-52 victory against the TAE Aerospace Ipswich Jets to secure a remarkable fourth consecutive premiership.
“They trained really well and were very relaxed at training, which was quite interesting because they laughed about mistakes and thank God they did because we had quite a few tonight,” Cougars coach Liz White said after the game.
“We were able to move on from the mistakes. It wasn’t pretty but I don’t care, they got there.”
Not once did the Cougars lead the Jets until wrangling a 50-49 advantage with just over two minutes left on the timer.
“They came home, they believed,” White said.
“You can believe, but you’ve also got to do the work.”
A composed final quarter performance by goal shooter Olivia Dijkstra culminated in her being the player responsible for breaking the Jets’ hearts at Nissan Arena, and sending stunned Ipswich fans into silence.
“She wanted to win and she knew what she had to do,” White said.
“We were telling her to stay in it, let Rylee (Burns) drive and she did it.”
Astonishingly, this is White’s 17th premiership in 23 years at the Cougars’ coaching helm.
“They’re never the same team, and I never think about it,” White said.
“This team is not the team that won last year, nor was that the team that won before so therefore, you just have to work with what you’ve got. It was very hard this season, they just battled away, did their jobs and did better each time.”
Cougars captain Leesa Mi Mi also paid tribute to her players, only two of which were part of the club’s starting seven in 2022.
“The girls have put so much effort into the season, the highs and lows that we’ve had,” Mi Mi said.
“We did have massive lows, and to come back and win by one, it just shows the grit and passion we have for each other.”
This HART Sapphire Series premiership is the “cherry on the top” for Mi Mi in a standout season featuring her debut as Cougars captain, Queensland Firebirds replacement player duties, and a newly-named leadership role guiding the Firebirds Futures 2023 Australian Netball Championships team.
“At the beginning of the season I didn’t think we’d get here but with all the hard work and tough games and trainings, it just makes it worth it,” Mi Mi said.
“The team is what drives you and I really love the way these girls have pushed me throughout the season. It was such a good challenge being a captain throughout the season, and I love taking on challenges.”
The Cougars were obviously tested from the opening whistle of Sunday night’s grand final, before an upsetting knee injury to experienced Jets midcourter Chloe Litherland threw momentum.
“When Chloe went down, that was a bit unbelievable,” Jets coach Paula Stuart said.
“The dynamics were probably lost a little bit but to lose by one goal, and having two of our best players out (Hulita Veve and Litherland), that’s a credit to the rest of our team.”
HART Sapphire Series Grand Final MVP Elsa Sif Sandholt impressed under the post for the Jets, offering a strong target, solid accuracy and crucial rebounds.
The Australian 19 and Under squad member described the honour as “bittersweet”.
“We had so many obstacles come our way this season,” Sif Sandholt said.
“Even in this game, it was just obstacle after obstacle. I’m so proud of our team and how we fought back but today just wasn’t our day. We put out our best effort and that’s all we could do.”
It was a memorable afternoon for the Carina Leagues Club Tigers in the Queensland Ruby Series grand final, who celebrated back-to-back premierships with a 48-37 victory over the Gold Coast Titans.
Tigers' goalkeeper and Australian 17 and Under squad member Holly Comyns was named Queensland Ruby Series Grand Final MVP.
