In the historic title match between two former Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic coaches, Noeline Taurua and the Sunshine Coast Lightning saved their best performance for last, dominating the inaugural Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final defeating Julie Fitzgerald’s Giants 65 to 48.
After winning one game apiece by one point in the regular season, the Lightning recovered from a slow start losing the first quarter 15 to 13 But it didn't take long for the home side to build momentum transforming the final into a game of defense.
The Lightning's international experience was instrumental in the win. Kiwi mid-courter Laura Langman clocked up four intercepts in wing defense, while English captain Geva Mentor also contributed to a total of nine intercepts and eight deflections.
Australian Goal shooter Caitlin Bassett had the best shooting of the game at 96 per cent - 49 from 51 attempts.
Taurua now becomes the first ever coach to take a New Zealand and Australian team to grand final glory but after being overlooked by Netball New Zealand for the Silver Ferns head coach role, she unfortunately has no plans to return anytime soon.
"I'm here (in Australia) for at least another two years and we are already looking into how we can be better - we have built a great base and there is so much more we can do to be better" says Taurua.
"Right now I'm not getting caught up or involved in anything as to what's going to happen post-contract."
Career focus now shifts to the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and Laura Langman has not yet re-signed to the Lightning. She is still deciding if she will return to New Zealand to be eligible for the national side next year.
"She's (Langman) just taking year by year but obviously the big question is over whether she wants to play for the Silver Ferns or not, she has big decisions to make." says Taurua
"We all want to win and if New Zealand want to win the Comm games and World Cup she has the capability of doing that hands down because she does it for us week in week out."
The Sunshine Coast Lightning's win is the heaviest Grand Final margin since the New South Wales Swifts beat the Adelaide Thunderbirds 65 to 36 in 2006.
Newshub.
