Clifford primed for Grand Final tilt
BY KIERAN ILES
THE BENDIGO TIMES
NEWLY crowned Betty Thompson medallist Shae Clifford is not a big believer in omens, but she is hoping history can repeat itself this weekend.
The last time a Sandhurst player won the Bendigo league’s best and fairest before Clifford’s victory last Sunday night, the Dragons went on to claim the premiership six days later.
She will get the opportunity to do the same against Kangaroo Flat this Saturday at the QEO.
The last player to achieve the Betty Thompson-premiership medal double in 2017, Heather Oliver will be a teammate of Clifford’s this weekend.
More recently, Gisborne’s Maddy Stewart in 2018 and Kangaroo Flat’s dual winner Chelsea Sartori last season were a chance to do the double, but their teams came up short on grand final day.
A tenacious midcourter with silky skills, Clifford topped the count with 22 votes, capping the win with a three-vote performance in the Dragons’ final home and away game against Gisborne.
Back in the BFNL for the first time since 2018, star Kangaroo Flat goaler Ruby Barkmeyer was the runner-up on 18.
Clifford’s Betty Thompson Medal victory continued her remarkable run of consistency since joining Sandhurst from Castlemaine.
She finished runner-up to Sartori in 2023 and was third behind that same player and Stewart last year.
Sartori, who will again lead Kangaroo Flat into grand final battle, notched up another top three finish – equal third with Sandhurst defender Sophie Shoebridge – with another Roos goal shooter Abbey Ryan completing the top five.
Despite already having a league best and fairest under her belt this season, after claiming the Victorian Netball League 23-and-under MVP award for her exploits with Bendigo Strikers, Clifford considered it a shock to have added a Betty Thompson.
“It’s a massive honour to get a Betty Thompson, it’s something I never thought I would win,” she said.
“I’ve been pretty lucky to have polled pretty well every year, I guess this year I have just managed to win.
“Kangaroo Flat is such an amazing team, so I was fortunate they were all taking votes off each other.
“I have had a great year netball-wise this year. The main thing is I am just enjoying my netball so much and that has helped with the success.”
Juggling the demands of her netball with Sandhurst and the Strikers, whose 23-and-under team she captained, and work at a Castlemaine dental surgery, Clifford said she had gotten used to always being busy.
“I want to be the best I can be, so that means doing everything I can on and off the court to be a better player,” she said.
“I do gym and extra running sessions and that has definitely paid off.
“It does make you fitter and stronger for your games.”
Always one to prioritise team success over individual accolades, but not without a sense of occasion, Clifford is excited to get the opportunity to follow in the steps of Oliver - a player and person she has a deep admiration for – to win league and premiership medals this season.
“There’s no reason why we can’t win if we play our best netball,” she said.
“We’ll have to play a consistent four quarters and just leave nothing out on the court.
“We got close to them last time and were up (at three quarter time), but it was our own errors that let us down.
“Hopefully, we can come out firing, get that lead again and maintain possession.”
Clifford, Meg Williams and whichever option Dragons coach Tamara Gilchrist goes with at wing defence’s battle against the Roos’ Sartori, Ash Ryan and Milly Wicks promises to be a classic.
“We just know every time that it’s going to be such a great hit-out between us all,” Clifford said.
“The Kangaroo Flat girls are great netballers, so I’m looking forward to coming up against them again this weekend.”
The 21-year-old will be chasing her second premiership in maroon and blue, having played in the last of the club’s famed four-peat in 2022.
