Darlinghurst Dragons overcame Thunder to win the 2010 Men's League Premiership by just one goal tonight at Anne Clark Netball Centre.
With a comfortable seven-goal lead in the final quarter, Darlinghurst appeared to have the game in the bag but Thunder made a solid comeback to tighten the margin to just one goal in the game's final minute.
With the next centre pass, Thunder had the opportunity to level the score and take the match to overtime.
In the end, time wasn't on Thunder's side and they weren't able to capitalise on final possession, going down 33-34.
It was just one of several hard-fought comebacks by Thunder throughout the game, whose 11-goal second quarter tied the score at half time.
In a risky move given the even scoreline, Darlinghurst reshuffled the entire side in the second half. But it proved to be a winner and they earned a three-goal lead going into the final quarter.
Darlinghurst dominated the 2010 Men's League season and were clear favourites going into the match, but the vocal crowd were rewarded with a highly-skilled, exciting and tight contest.
Darlinghurst Captain Jamie Hardy was the game's stand-out performer and was awarded with Player of the Match.
Thunder Captain Evan Calvert won the Association Best and Fairest for his stellar performance throughout the 2010 Men's League season.
Quarter-by-quarter
- Q1: Darlinghurst 9 – Thunder 5
- Q2: Darlinghurst 7- Thunder 11 (16-16)
- Q3: Darlinghurst 10 – Thunder 7 (26-23)
- Q4: Darlinghurst 8 – Thunder 10 (34-33)
