Sport
18 September, 2023
2023 MCDFNL A Grade Grand Final - Best on Court
Stacey Blair has many a story to tell about her netball career, which has spanned over 500 games, and now she can add a best on court medal to her glittering CV. Blair has produced a dominant finals series, providing the impetus for Avoca to win...
Stacey Blair has many a story to tell about her netball career, which has spanned over 500 games, and now she can add a best on court medal to her glittering CV.
Blair has produced a dominant finals series, providing the impetus for Avoca to win back the crown they lost in 2022, after losing their preliminary final to Natte Bealiba.
This time around, the Bulldogs weren’t going to let another big opportunity to secure a Dogs’ dynasty slip, and duly delivered with a 12-goal victory.
Blair’s career has been widely celebrated this year, bringing up her 500-game milestone against Harcourt in round 15.
The preliminary final performance against Lexton was Blair at her best — utilising the long ball into the goal circle to the advantage of Maddy Egan and Gina Beavis, particularly in the third quarter, which saw the game tip on its head completely as Avoca turned a narrow half time lead into a comfortable victory.
In the grand final, it was much of the same, as Blair’s accurate passing helped crack the code against the Carisbrook defence, who had comfortably been the best unit all year.
Blair chose to credit her teammates with her performance on the day.
“The premiership win is definitely the best thing. The best on court medal should have been shared between the girls — they were amazing, and they just make it so easy to play with them,” she said.
Blair said there was a lot of pressure on the Bulldogs in 2022, given their long winning run, but failing to come away with a premiership that year proved to be somewhat of a blessing in disguise in 2023.
“We were really hungry and wanted to come back after the preliminary final loss. The pressure was on a bit last year as our undefeated run went for so long, but this year, we were ready to come back and fight it out,” she said.
Her partnership with experienced Bulldogs Lucy Howell and Elisa Pica was telling, as they were able to get the grand final on their terms with hard work.
“We’re lucky that we have that experience in the midcourt, it’s a massive credit to the girls,” Blair said.
That extended through to her feeding to Egan and Beavis, particularly when looking for Egan, who uses her height to her advantage every week.
“The girls in the goal circle hold beautifully, so by doing that, it’s a lot better getting it in to them. I love getting the long balls in, sometimes Maddy shakes her head at me, but I get it in there anyway and she takes many of them,” Blair said.
Like all at Avoca, Blair is grateful for the teachings of Maddy and Kerry Egan.
“Hats off to Kerry and Maddy for the way they go about it, they’re unbelievable coaches. We’re lucky to have them again next year,” she said.
In the Bulldogs’ 150th year, Blair also made mention of the support that was shown on their big day.
“We’ve been lucky that everyone has been onboard, sucked it up and got through to the end. How lucky we are to have so much support, it was a sea of blue out there. Onwards and upwards next season for football and netball,” she said.
Blair is keen to look for back-to-back flags in 2024.
“As long as there is a position for me and they need me, I’m happy to go on,” she said.