OVENS and Murray stars Jane Cook and Mikaela Vaughan have combined to shoot Victorian Fury to a seventh successive Australian Netball League premiership.
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Cook was close to best on court with 46 goals from 52 attempts against NNSW Waratahs on Sunday while Vaughan played the opening quarter following a strong performance in the semi-final at goal attack.
“It was fantastic,” Cook said.
“Mikaela and I started both the semi-final and final together which was really good.
“Mikaela had an amazing game against Western Sting in the semi-finals with her stats through the roof.”
In a see-sawing final in Sydney, Victorian Fury trailed NNSW Waratahs early before fighting back to win 53-46.
“I thought Jane stood up really well under a lot of physical pressure and I was really impressed with our defence end, and thought our full-court defence was fantastic,” Fury coach Cathy Fellows said.
“We built over the whole tournament and, while we struggled a little bit at the start, to the girls’ credit they took on everything and built.”
Cook and Vaughan hail from Wodonga and Wangaratta Rovers respectively and have been teammates in several Melbourne competitions.
Victorian Fury defeated Western Sting 56-47 in the semi-final.
The win continues the Victorian Fury’s dominance in the ANL competition, with premierships in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
“It wasn’t an easy win as they stuck with us for the full 60 minutes and came really hard at the finish,” Cook said.
“It was a tight game.
“Hopefully I'll be home on Friday to catch up with the Bulldog girls.”
While Cook will return to the Border this weekend, the 198-centimetre shooter has a hectic couple of months ahead.
She was recently selected in the 24-member Australia 20 and under squad to compete in an international series against teams from New Zealand and England in Canberra in August.
The squad will gather at Netball Australia’s Centre of Excellence for a training camp before the series.
Former North Albury player Jacqui Newton is one of two Victorians to make the 19 and under side.
Cook and Newton will be looking for big performances to push their claims for a spot in next year’s Netball World Youth Cup squad.
”It’s a good spot for Jacqui and myself to be on the radar for next year,” Cook said.
