A TORN calf but with a premiership medal hanging around her neck.
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It’s a scenario Heywood A grade netball coach Alicia Tavare might not take every season but one she wouldn’t have traded on Saturday night.
Heywood is this week basking in premiership glory after upstaging Cavendish in the South West District league grand final at Portland’s Hanlon Park.
The Lions lost the second semi-final to the Bloods by four goals but bounced back in the decider, winning 45-37.
Tavare, originally from Wangaratta, said she was always going to retire after the grand final and was rapt she could end her career with a premiership.
“I’m done. I’ve got a completely torn calf and it’s not one that can heal itself that well. I’ve got a few family commitments a long way from here,” she said.
“I’ll focus more on the personal life than the sporting life. To go out in this way has been an amazing experience.
“Either way it was going to be retirement for me, but to go out with a win, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Heywood made its decisive surge during the second term of the grand final, breaking a 9-9 deadlock to lead 20-16 at the long break.
The Lions increased their lead by one in the third period and sealed the contest with a 13-10 final term.
Goal keeper Aleesha Holmes earned best-on-court honours, while goal attack Tayarrah Morris led the scoring with 27 goals.
Bloods goal shooter Sonia McKay also hit 27 nets, while captain Trish Hurley, who shifted between centre and goal defence, was their best player.
“We didn’t have the stock-standard Heywood A grade lull. We played consistent netball for the whole 60 minutes,” Tavare said.
“They’d get a couple of goals back on us here and there but we calmed down the play.
“We were very consistent, which is something I’ve been asking for for weeks. To bring that on the big stage was amazing.”
In other A grade grand finals on Saturday, Wickliffe-Lake Bolac caused a stunning upset to claim Mininera and District league honours at Glenthompson.
The Magpies lost their first four matches and finished the regular season in fifth spot, but won four consecutive finals en route to the premiership.
Wickliffe-Lake Bolac beat Lismore-Derrinallum 39-31 in the decider, with goal attack Amanda Clark (26 goals) and Kimberley Thom leading the way.
MDNA best and fairest Stephanie Burns (23 goals) and midcourter Lauren McLennan were the Demons’ best.
Colac Imperials claimed back-to-back Colac and District league flags with a 67-51 defeat of South Colac at Colac’s Central Reserve.
Gun Imps shooter Rebecca Scott netted 57 goals at 86 per cent accuracy, while Candi Robbins, Rhiannon Whitson and Jessica Finch were their best.
Tegan McNamara hit 30 goals to lead the Roos’ tally. Janelle Monaghan and coach Nicole Mitchell were their best.