Tara Murray
Spotswood Gold fell just short of premiership glory in the Western Netball League division 1 grand final on Friday night.
Having missed out on playing in last year’s grand final, Spotswood was hoping to return to the top after winning in 2022.
It wasn’t to be, falling short against Glen Orden 1, 37-32.
Coach Maddy Bosanko said they were unlucky not to come away with the premiership.
“We put up a good fight,” she said. “I thought it might be a bit of a shootout with both sides having a holding shooter.
“We held them for the first half before falling away in the last minute of the first half. They were the better side in the second half.”
To even make the grand final, Spotswood had to make the grand final the hard way.
It lost in the semi finals to Glen Orden before beating Braybrook Whitten in the preliminary final in overtime.
Bosanko said it wasn’t the worst thing for the group.
“You want to get a lot of wins under your belt and playing through finals and beating Braybrook felt great.
“Braybrook are a great bunch of girls, it was good to get the win.”
While the Hawks were playing in the division 1 competition for the first time this season, Bosanko said they had come across most of the players previously.
“There was nothing on the court that we hadn’t come across before,” she said.
“There were some familiar faces and it’s a high level in the Western Football Netball League.”
Bosanko said she was proud of the group for getting to the grand final.
It marks the end of her time with the club as coach for now as she steps back from netball to focus on uni.
Bosanko played in Spotswood’s inaugural netball team before stepping up as coach the past two seasons.
“We’ve been successful since putting it together back in 2018,” she said. “We’ve made finals every year and the level has been quite high.
“Not too many teams have done that. Many of the 2018 side are still here and to still be strong I’m proud of it.
“Not just the two years as coach put as a player coming through the program. There’s been decent people before me who have put in hard work to get us to where we are now.”
Bosanko, who has also been a coach at the City West Falcons, hasn’t ruled out returning to netball in the future.
Spotswood said on social media that Bosanko would have a lasting impact on the club.
“Her leadership has inspired everyone on and off the court, shaping not just the players skills but also their character,” the club said. “Maddy’s commitment to excellence and sportsmanship has set a standard that we will strive to uphold in her absence.
“We want to thank Maddy for her unwavering support, endless encouragement, and the countless hours you’ve dedicated to the teams and club.
“Maddy’s achievements will continue to resonate within these walls, reminding us of the incredible coach and individual she is.”
