GRAND final losses are heartbreaking, but returning a year later and gaining redemption in front of a packed crowd - that's a sweet feeling.
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That feeling washed over Comprint Solutions at the weekend as they ran out 57-14 winners against Hunter Pro Signs, securing the trophy through a truly commanding display of netball at Karoola Park.
It took until the fourth quarter for their opposition to reach double figures, and the team defence starved them of chances while remaining a threat on the front foot.
Chelsea Bowditch was the standout performer, using her height and positional prowess to full advantage and scoring a game-high amount of points as the goal shooter.
Captain Sally Comerford said it was an exceptional feeling to be crowned winners and thanked her team for their efforts and commitment over the past 12 months.
"It feels awesome, really good, I'm very, very proud," she admitted.
"I think what makes it is the team spirit and that a lot of us are families as well, so it's beautiful to go out there and play the sport we love.
"We lost by two in the previous grand final.
"We were down by 14 and came back in that game, so it was a good challenge there.
"It's always good to win a grand final."
Even though there is immense skill, size and talent within the side, she said they were still a little nervous going into the major decider.
"We were confident, but you never ever know on the day, you can never tell," she stated.
When quizzed on whether she, and the rest of the squad would be returning next season, Comerford said it would be her top priority to assure they all come back for the 2020 campaign.
Throughout the other grades there were some extremely tight results, the most thrilling of which being a one-point victory to the Raine and Horne Hornets over Shooting Stars in the C reserve grade.
Madison Edwards was selected as best on court for her match-winning performance in that game.
Happy Tooth registered a 28-11 win over Briken Babes in C grade, largely thanks to a top effort by Bai Dever.
B reserves was relatively close with a 25-16 scoreline going the way of BHS Bullets as they saw off Munro Engineering.
Remmi Brown received the award for best player in that fixture despite being on the losing side.
Comprint picked up yet another title in B grade, scoring 34 to defeat La Bella Beauty by 10 points in a game that was dominated by Lluka Moffitt.
Hunter Prestige Catering's Heidi Richards showed her class in difficult conditions, as her side went down 48-32 to the Firebirds in A reserves.
The presentation took place after the final games, with individual and team awards handed out to some of the standout performers across a number of roles throughout the season.
They included junior club person - Priya Gill; senior club person - Karlie Norman and Kelly Constable; coach of a junior team - Sophie Martin and Jade Constable; junior umpire award - Claudia Murray; senior umpire award - Michelle Loft; best goal differential for A/B grade - Comprint Solutions, and C/D grade - Happy Tooth; goals for and against for A/B grade - Comprint Solutions, and C/D grade - Happy Tooth; team scoring most goals - Comprint Solutions; Friendship Trophy - Hunter Fabrication Emeralds; and Wilkinson Encouragement Award - Munro Marvels.
