The Grace Hammond-coached Murray topped Pool B at the State Netball Centre at the weekend with six wins and a loss, toppling Central Murray 19-8 in the semi-final to book a showdown against Ovens & Murray.
Gunning for its first Open title, the MNL went step-for-step with the talented O&M brigade to trail by just a single goal at half-time.
But the latter’s quality proved a bridge too far as the Murray’s eastern neighbour prevailed 17-13, claiming the State’s top team prize for the first time since 2008.
“It was obviously awesome to make the grand final,” Hammond said.
“That was our goal for the day after coming second last year as well.
“Coming up against O&M, the talent in that side was unreal, so we were happy to come second to those guys - they definitely deserved it.
“Credit to the girls, they put it to O&M. We were only down by one goal at halftime, and then just a few little things in that second half of the game got away.
“They walked off the court happy and knowing that they'd had a solid day of netball.”
Mulwala’s Georgie Hemphill secured plenty of the ball for the MNL while Tongala’s Millie Brock anchored the front court in typically powerful fashion.
Hammond noted it was a versatile squad of 11 senior and rising stars that delivered Murray another shot at the title, and the reinforcement that the league was no longer representative easy-beats.
“From the attacking end to the defensive end, everyone stepped up,” she said.
“It was just great to have some experienced players that could step up, but also younger girls in the side so that could look up to those senior players and learn something from them to take back.
“I think it just shows where we're at - we’re not so separate from the GV and O&M any more.
“We used to be considered that lower league in the area, and the netball that's getting played within our league is as good as it can be.”
Meanwhile, reigning champions GVL went 5-3 in Pool A but couldn’t progress to finals.
The girls in purple started with a strong win over Eastern before notching back-to-back defeats, putting those behind them with another pair of comfortable triumphs against Ariels and Mountain District.
Despite book ending their campaign with another two wins, a loss against the O&M put paid to any ambition of a finals appearance.
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