There’s countless stories across every sport of a team being a dominant force all season only to fall at the final hurdle.
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That was a scenario facing Fusions Heat in Saturday’s Rawson Homes A Grade grand final but a team discussion on Friday night helped settle the undefeated minor premiers heading into the decider.
And when they hit the court they were near-flawless.
Fusions Heat completed a perfect season on Saturday when blowing away Fusions Fire in the grand final.
The final score was 56-37 after a clinical showing on the biggest day of the season.
“We spoke the night before the game and said we didn’t want to do all the hard work and slip at the final hurdle,” Heat’s Tash Robinson said, her side becoming the first Fusions outfit to record an unbeaten season.
“We were really focused before the game and took that on the court.”
Robinson stated she was “super, super proud” of her troops for the way they handled the big stage.
Much like any contest, a large part of the result came down to the performance of Heat’s shooters.
There was some pressure on Michelle Regan and young gun Ally McLean heading into the decider after such stellar regular season performances but the pair delivered, with the former particularly impressive.
“She (Regan) had been a standout all year,” Robinson said.
“She’s new to Dubbo as well so we were lucky to pick her up and she’s so tough to play against. I’m glad we were playing with her and not against her.
We spoke the night before the game and said we didn’t want to do all the hard work and slip at the final hurdle.
- Fusions Heat's Tash Robinson
“And with Ally, we knew it was going to come down to if those two turned up. It’s not really a normal combination to have two tall shooters but they worked really well together.”
Karen Weekes was part of the Fire side which was defeated and while disappointed she remained proud.
Fusions Fire only sealed fourth spot in the final round but then hit top form to advance to the grand stage.
“They (Heat) were absolutely worthy winners and they were super excited at the end,” she said.
“Tactically and skill-wise they were superior and the played a great grand final.”
Weekes highlighted the mother-and-daughter of Bec and Monique May as Fusions Fire’s best, the young defender again not shying away from the challenge of halting Heat’s star shooters.
While Monique May was one of the best in the decider, another defender who stood out was Bec Hill.
Another of Fusions Heat’s best all season, Hill “was everywhere” for her side and played a key role in the dominant victory.
GRAND FINAL RESULTS
11 Years: St Magic 44 defeated Trangie 10
12 Years White: Fusion Blossoms 23 defeated Trangie 15
12 Years Blue: Nyngan Tigers 30 defeated Deadly Dragonflies 25
Div 4: Nyngan Tigers 40 defeated Narromine Hornets 20
Div 3: St Kaos 28 defeated St Meerkats 27
Div 2: Deadly Dragonflies Pink 42 defeated WMPD Diamonds 40
Div 1: Apollo Fireflies 35 defeated Fusion Fury 19
E Grade: Narromine Sea Fury 35 defeated St Starfire 31
D Grade: Apollo Hotshots 37 defeated Apollo Diggers 35
C Grade: Trangie Thunder 36 defeated Trangie Lightning 29
B Grade: Fusion Magic 56 defeated Nyngan Tigers 24
A Reserve: Fusion Vixens 37 defeated Narromine Hawks 33
A Grade: Fusion Heat 56 defeated Fusion Fire 37