Carley Ernst, Bec Cole and the Waverley Falcons wouldn’t be denied as they shook off a slow start in the NBL1 South Grand Final to beat Keilor Thunder 87-82 to make it 15 wins from the last 16 games.
While the Falcons did possess a team that looked capable of winning a championship from the start of the season with Cole and Ernst fresh off being part of the WNBL title with the Southside Flyers, they were up against it with just two wins from the first 10 games.
Just making the playoffs was going to be a tall order, but Waverley won 11 of the last 12 matches of the regular season and then beat the Sandringham Sabres, Dandenong Rangers and Mount Gambier Pioneers to reach a second straight Grand Final.
They were up against a Knox team that only narrowly missed top spot with a loss in the last regular season game before booking in a place in their first ever Grand Final with wins against Dandenong and the Ballarat Miners.
In the end, Waverley's quality and big game experience came to the fore as they shook off an early double-figure deficit to score 18 consecutive points in the second quarter, and to then hold firm late for the five-point victory.
After losing last year's Grand Final to the Bendigo Braves, it's a redemption story in so many ways for Waverley with Carley Ernst delivering 26 points, four rebounds and three blocks to claim the Grand Final MVP.
Bec Cole showed what a warrior she is to claim another championship with 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds while Mckenzie Forbes contributed 17 points, four assists, three boards and two steals.
Amelia Todhunter added 10 points and eighth rebounds, and Orla O'Reilly four points, six steals, five rebounds and five assists.
It will be a tough loss to stomach for Keilor after such a standout season with Maddy Rocci finishing with 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists while playing all 40 minutes.
MVP Issie Bourne delivered 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists with Lily Carmody contributing 17 points and six boards, and Penina Davidson 11 points, 12 rebounds and three steals.
Keilor started the Grand Final in strong fashion opening up an 11-point lead during the first quarter and the Thunder were still leading 29-21 by the end of one.
A Maddy Rocci three-pointer and a bucket to MVP Issie Bourne saw Keilor's lead back out to 10 points and they were in control of the contest.
However, from the moment Keilor were leading 38-28, Waverley went on a remarkable run of scoring the game's next 18 points including a pair of three-pointers to Mackenzie Forbes, and one apiece to Carley Ernst and Bec Cole.
The Falcons turned that 10-point deficit into their own eight-point lead, but then there was a dramatic finish to the half with a massive mid-court collision between Southside Flyers WNBL teammates Cole and Rocci.
Cole did appear to come off second best and left the floor after hitting her two free throws and by half-time it was Waverley leading 50-48.
Cole was good to go coming out to start the second half for the Falcons and when they managed to score nine of the first 11 points of the third quarter, they looked capable of running away with it.
An Orla O'Reilly offensive rebound and put back then pushed Waverley out to an 11-point lead but Penina Davidson was able to stem the tide for Keilor.
However, when Forbes nailed another three ball for Waverley their lead was out to 11 points and the Thunder had to dig deep to stay in touch by three quarter-time.
A three ball from MVP Bourne did give Keilor some belief but still heading into the fourth period it was Waverley on top leading by nine.
The Thunder then scored the first five points of the final period to be back within four when Lily Carmody completed a three-point play.
Amelia Todhunter then hit a massive three ball with just under six minutes to play to push Waverley back to a seven-point advantage but Keilor was chasing history and weren’t giving up on trying to finish off their outstanding season in style.
Bourne and Madeline Putti scored to bring it back to just a three-point ball and then it was game on when Rocci got on the end of the fast break to sore and make the margin one with just over two minutes on the clock.
Waverley responded through Todhunter and then Ernst made a statement with a huge block on Rocci up the other end before O'Reilly scored again and the Falcons were back out by five with 1:15 remaining.
Try as they might but Keilor couldn’t quite get back within striking distance and Waverley were strong in the final minute to secure the five-point win to secure the championship on the back of a remarkable back end of the 2024 season.
WAVERLEY FALCONS 87 (Ernst 26, Cole 19, Forbes 17)
KEILOR THUNDER 82 (Rocci 24, Bourne 24, Carmody 15)
Grand Final MVP: Carley Ernst (Waverley)
