The Bulldogs coach has felt the heartbreak of losing a senior grand final — a painful six times.

“I’ve been there way too much,” she laughed.

“It’s great recognition to win something like this and it means the hard work has paid off. But I’d much prefer to win a premiership.”

Last night’s count had pulses racing, with Condon holding a one-vote lead over East Warrnambool defender Brooke Rudezky with one round to call out.

Rudezky picked up one vote in round 18, making her and Condon even.

But the Panmure coach had a best-on-court performance against Russells Creek to lift her tally to 29, sealing the award.

“People kept asking me ‘who did you play?’ and ‘how did you play?’,” she said

.

“I just tried not to think about it.”

The midcourter crossed from Terang Mortlake back to Panmure at the start of this season.

She is one of several Hampden league stars who have switched to Warrnambool and District league in the past few years.

“I came back because of family,” she said.

“I knew I wasn’t playing my best netball at Terang so I wanted to come back to Panmure to try and enjoy it a bit more.

“I think a lot of players are coming back from Hampden because the (District league) competition has really stepped up.”

Condon, 24, said she took a few rounds to adapt to her new role as playing coach.

“It was tough but I just needed to relax as much as possible and concentrate a little bit more on myself,” she said.

“Most games now I try and concentrate on my own game at the start of a quarter, then towards the end I’ll think more about the team and what needs to be done.”

She praised the Bulldogs for their support, taking the time to mention president Jack Ryan and senior football coach Dave Conheady in her speech.

“It’s such an amazing club,” she said.

“Us netballers watched the footballers play inspiring football (on Saturday) and then they came and watched us (on Sunday).”

The club will have a similar routine this weekend, with the footballers aiming for a spot in the grand final on Saturday against Dennington while the netballers have another cut-throat match on Sunday when they stoush with South Rovers.

“I think we handle the pressure well,” Condon said, referring to her side’s string of do-or-die finals.

“We probably play our best netball when we know we have to perform.”