MATER Dei Catholic College recovered from a slow start to defend their girls open division title with a 4.6 (30) to 2.2 (14) win in Wednesday's final at Robertson Oval.
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Kildare looked poised to snatch the crown from the defending champions after Blayne Norman handed them the early lead with a neat finish from 25 metres out, before Eliza Kelly extended their lead to two goals early in the second term.
But Mater Dei's ferocious attack on the ball allowed them to dominate the rest of the match, kicking the next four goals to secure a spot in the state finals at Canberra during the school holidays.
Second quarter goals to Jessica Wendt and Abbey Morton drew Mater Dei level at the main break, before second half majors to Molly McCrone and skipper Issy Cunningham sealed the win.
"They were very nervous (early), they did win it last year so there was a lot of expectation on their shoulders," Mater Dei coach Michelle Lumsden said.
"It was all about those experienced heads calming it down and going back to basics, and listening to the coaches. The boys (Hamish Gilmore, Xavier Heeney and Jeremy Lucas) did a fantastic job.
"We came runner up in the state finals last year. They're very young, so if they give it a red hot crack that's all I'm asking for."
A handful of Mater Dei and Kildare players will clash again on Thursday in the final of netball's Tracey Gunson Shield.
"There was a bit of concern about how we preserve these girls so they can back up and play tomorrow. It was a bit nerve wracking at times, but thank god they got through unscathed," Lumsden said.
Kildare coach Cherrie Kendall said Mater Dei's attack on the ball and ability to work as a team was the basis behind their turnaround.
Meanwhile, a three-goals-to-none first quarter set up Kildare's 5.2 (32) to 2.3 (15) win over Mater Dei in the year 7-8 girls decider.
MATER DEI 0.2 2.2 3.4 4.6 (30) def KILDARE 1.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 (14)
Goals: Mater Dei - Abbey Morton, Issy Cunningham, Molly McCrone, Jessica Wendt. Kildare - Blayne Norman, Eliza Kelly
Best: Mater Dei - Issy Cunningham, Abbey Morton, Molly Devries, Molly McCrone, Jessica Wendt,
YEAR 7-8 GIRLS
KILDARE 3.2 4.2 4.2 5.2 (32) def MATER DEI (0.0 1.1 2.1 2.3 (15)
Goals: - Kildare - Bridie Gregurke 2, Eliza Walsh, Kate Wallace, Emma Suckling. Mater Dei - Cleo Buttifant, Maeve Jackson.
Best: Kildare - Emma Suckling, Anna Sase, Eliza Walsh, Kaitlin Logan, Kate Wallace. Mater Dei - Makenna Blair, Cleo Buttifant, Amity Wood, Charlotte Priest
