FAITH NEVER FLAGGED

COURTNEY Cuolahan paused, closed her eyes and wiped away the tears.

Flanked by an army of family and friends in the seconds after the final whistle, the Torquay playing coach was overcome with emotion.

Cuolahan lovingly squeezed her eldest son Tex, and the tears continued to flow.

The congratulatory hugs kept coming for the popular Tigers coach, having led her side to a premiership.

“It feels unbelievably satisfying,” Cuolahan said after the 38-25 win over Geelong Amateur at Spring Creek Reserve.

“I knew that we were so capable of it as a group and today I had so much belief in this team. I knew if we played our netball, it didn’t matter who we played, we could really do it.

“I’m just so proud of the girls and what they put out there.”

With her brothers and sisters, D. O’Kane 21, C. Cuolahan 15, H. Livingston 2. B. O’Kane 13, K. Schippers 6, K. Sproal 6. J. Standfield, D. O’Kane, C.Cuolahan. S. Ford, C. Post, K. Carroll. husband Jason and children nearby, Cuolahan said she felt a sense of relief and joy after helping claim Torquay’s second premiership in four years.

“I don’t know how I feel at the moment … I’m just so proud,” she said. “I’m just so proud of the club. There was a lot of effort that went into that. There were a lot of sacrifices, a lot of mums, a lot of shift workers and players that were studying.

“It takes a lot to win a premiership and I’m just proud that it all came to fruition. I’m just so happy.”

Turning the tables on Ammos after a 12-goal second semi-final defeat a fortnight ago, Cuolahan stressed her belief in the team never wavered despite a worrying loss.

“No, (it didn’t waver), in actual fact it grew,” Cuolahan said.

“We got within four or five goals of them and I knew we’d played nowhere near our best. I knew if we played our best we’d be fine.”

Torquay shooter Daisy O’Kane slotted 21 goals from 27 attempts (78 per cent accuracy), while Cuolahan netted 15 from 21 (72 per cent accuracy).

For Ammos, Sharon Ford worked tirelessly in midcourt and was her side's best, while goal defence Carly Post was solid under pressure.

Breda O’Kane shot 13 from 24, while Kate Schippers fired six from 10.

The catalyst for victory was a dynamic start, with the Tigers taking a two-goal lead into the first change. That only grew in the second quarter, with Torquay stretching the advantage to 11-goals midway through the term before Ammos rallied late to close the margin to nine (20-11).

With Geelong Amateur seemingly on the ropes at half-time, Cuolahan’s side put the foot down in the premiership quarter, expanding the margin to 14 to put the result virtually beyond doubt.

“We knew we needed to get off to a good start, but if we didn’t, we knew we were capable of coming back,” Cuolahan said of the fast start.

Consigning Ammos to their fourth-straight grand final defeat, Cuolahan credited her defenders, namely goal keeper Jessica Standfield, for the 13-goal victory.

“Our defence end was superb,” Cuolahan said.

“It probably helped that we had so much pressure from the front end to do their job.

“I thought Jess Standfield really stood up and she does in big games. I’m just so proud of her.

“Everyone had a role to do and they really did it.” Kardinia Park, 2.40pm