A LAST-term fightback allowed North Warrnambool Eagles to taste premiership glory in a drama-filled 17 and under netball grand final.
The Eagles trailed for most of the intense clash against Terang Mortlake at Reid Oval but pulled away late to win 33-30.
The surge followed a numbing head injury to Bloods centre Lisa Couch midway through the final stanza.
Lisa crashed to the court under pressure and a collective gasp came from the crowd as her head hit the concrete.
Teammates rushed to her aid before trainers carried her to the interchange bench.
Terang Mortlake led 28-26 at that stage but, forced to make changes to a seven which had worked so effectively, could not hold onto the advantage.
Umpires later awarded Lisa the Lyn Everall Medal for being best on court.
The dramatic last term left Eagles coach Jaime Barr still shaking more than 10 minutes after her side took hold of the premiership cup.
"They were fantastic," she said, taking a moment to praise the gutsy Bloods who pushed her side all the way. Being the underdogs brings out the best in some teams.
"I thought we were under pressure the whole game, to be honest.
"Normally I can make changes and we settle by half time but that didn't happen and that was because of their pressure."
Barr, who took an 11-player squad into the match, said she was rapt her side could execute down the stretch.
She praised defenders Jordyn Billings and Rebecca Kelly and wing attack Hannah Lourey.
Goal shooter Skye Billings, 14 goals, was also influential as the Eagles finished with a 10-4 term.
"With every change I made, they had to adjust and they did that quickly," Barr said. "They are such a team, we've been doing that all year."
Joanna Couch shot 17 goals to lead the Bloods' scoring and was in their best, along with Lisa, Maria Moloney and Ailish Glennen.
afawkes@standard.fairfax.com.a