Saints freshen up to go back-to-back

Koroit claimed consecutive A2 premierships with a tense victory against South Warrnambool on Saturday.

But the 33-28 result was a first for all but one of Koroit's ecstatic players.

Coach Bekky Brown said only midcourter Jenna Mahony had been part of the Saints 2011 triumph.

"They have had an amazing year," she said.

"To start from scratch and get this far is awesome.

"They did an amazing year."

Brown said the Saints had turned six players away when they picked the squad at the start of the season.

Koroit made the most of its opportunities in the first term and opened a decisive five-goal lead at quarter-time.

South Warrnambool made a number of positional moves, including injecting teenagers Jen O'Connor (goal keeper), Darcy Wilson (wing attack) and Nell Mitchell (goal attack) into the match but the closest it could get was two goals at three-quarter-time.

The Saints, through goal keeper Rebecca Riddle, produced a number of critical turnovers and rebounds early in the last quarter.

With teenage goal shooter Millie Mahony maintaining a steady hand under intense pressure, the Saints kicked the margin out to five midway through the final, where it stayed until the final buzzer.

Riddle, who had an intriguing duel with South Warrnambool goal shooter Glenda Allan, was decisive in the final term. She earnt the best-on-court medal, while teammates Bianca Heaphy and Jenna Mahony were also prominent.

Heaphy, who started at wing attack, moved into the centre at half-time, while Jenna Mahony started in the centre and switched to wing attack. The pair also made some critical intercepts.

It was an emotional victory for Saints goal attack Kylie Grayland, a long-time Koroit player, who after four league best and fairest awards claimed her first premiership medallion.

grbest@standard.fairfax.com.au