But on Saturday the now 22-year-old drove the Blues to their first flag in 18 years.

The dynamic centre was named best on court in a polished performance. “It’s unreal,” she said. “It’s been 18 years since seniors have won a netball grand final. I can’t wait to celebrate it.”

Couch, who is in the third year of her primary teaching degree at Geelong’s Deakin University, has travelled home each Thursday for training during the season.

“Obviously it would have been shattering not to win,” she said. “We put so much hard work in today, it is relief. Half way through that last quarter we were up by 13 goals, it was just awesome to have that feeling.”

Couch played juniors with Terang Mortlake as a teenager graduated to the top grade before joining Nirranda and her brothers Mitch and Nathan, who tasted success with the senior football side.

“The community is so tight-knit,” she said.