Nash a true champion
Nash a true champion on field and court
Jarryd Hayne and Israel Folau get all the headlines but the Far North has its own star sporting code-hopper. While Hayne and Folau have battled to impress moving between sports, Cairns’ Jeda Nash excels at her two: Aussie rules football and netball. It was an unprecedented weekend for Nash, as she was named in South Cairns’ best players in the AFL Cairns Womens premiership win just hours after leading her Cairns Saints to victory in the Cairns Netball Association grand final.
COACH Jaimi Byrne feels her Cairns Saints got their just rewards for the effort and commitment throughout the Cairns Netball Association season.
Saints made it back-to-back CNA Division 1 crowns on Friday evening as they outlasted the persistent Sharks by ten goals in an entertaining grand final.
Saints, who claimed the minor premiership, broke away from the plucky Sharks in the third term after a tight and tense first half in the decider. JARRYD Hayne and Israel Folau get all the headlines but the Far North has its own star sporting code-hopper.
While Hayne and Folau have battled to impress moving between sports, Cairns’ Jeda Nash excels at her two: Aussie rules football and netball.
It was an unprecedented weekend for Nash, as she was named in South Cairns’ best players in the AFL Cairns Womens premiership win just hours after leading her Cairns
It was just a four-point Saints lead at halftime before it was extended to 11, 31-20, at the final change in the low-scoring tussle.
Saints defender Jeda Nash was awarded the player of the final after an outstanding performance keeping the Sharks shooters quiet on the big stage. Saints to victory in the Cairns Netball Association grand final.
The defender was named best on court as Saints lifted
Playing-coach Byrne praised the outstanding efforts of Nash, Rachel Fa’anana and Wendy Stafford, who all starred in the triumph.
“We have put in a hard season and worked hard all year and we are very excited and proud of the girls to get the result,” Byrne said.
“We felt the result reflected our season and what we deserved.
“We were always expecting to match-up with Sharks on grand final day, they have put in the hard yards to try and knock us off.
“Jeda’s pressure in defence was outstanding, Rachel was dominant and composed in the their second straight premiership over Sharks.
Nash started her journey at Saints as a reserves player before she put hours of training in with Saints’ Jacqueline Dupuy and Winnie Whatley.
“They really showed me how to position myself playing netball and player a harder game,” Nash said.
“They knew I was not a natural netball player but they really guided me and helped me with direct feedback.
“I started at North Cairns but I have really enjoyed my time at Saints, they are a great club.” mid-court while Wendy absolutely smashed it in goals.”
Nash is now a three-time premiership player with Saints, the last two seasons in Division 1 as well as a reserves crown.
“Saints were always a strong club and that is why I came to Saints,” Nash said.
“They are an awesome bunch of girls and they always aim to get the best out of each other and win.”
In the division two decider, Leprechauns won in overtime in a tight finish over Scorchers.
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The ruck had not played footy for 11 years before this season, winning the premiership in the 2005-06 season, before making a comeback with the Cutters in 2017.
“I was so tired and exhausted playing footy on Saturday after netball on Friday,” Nash said.
“It was hot at Cazalys and just the body contact. “It was a huge weekend.” Nash is now a three-time premiership player with Saints, the last two seasons in Division 1 as well as a reserves crown.