Southern Steel captain Wendy Frew end's career on a high
Southern netball legend Wendy Frew could not have asked for a better way to close her stellar career.
The Steel's incredible 54-53 comeback victory in last night's ANZ Premiership grand final was scripted to perfection as the influential skipper lifted the trophy for the second consecutive year.
The defending champions were a staggering seven goals behind the Central Pulse with less than four minutes left on the clock before a sudden turn of events saw the Steel snag turnover after turnover while the young home side crumbled under the pressure.
Frew, who played 16-national campaigns for the Southern franchise, described the victory as one of the best moments of her life.
The Southern Steel became the first back-to-back champions. Photo / Photosport
"My face is sore from smiling, I've been smiling all night, I couldn't have asked for a better finish and I'm just absolutely chuffed that we got the win and it's just the best feeling in the world."
"It just seems surreal to go out on this note it's definitely one of the highlights of my life."
The 33-year-old midcourter was quick to share her celebrations on social media including a cheeky Kurt Baker inspired picture on Instagram captioned "That's me. I'm out".
Frew posed topless on the shoulders of teammate Gina Crampton as she proudly lifted the Premiership trophy.
Few picked the Steel to even make the grand final this season as the side lined-up without their number one strike weapon, Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, or top defender Jane Watson.
Young goal shoot Jen O'Connell was left to fill the big shoes left by the Jamaican super shooter while Courtney Elliott, who was a late call-up to the side, was tasked with containing the country's top shooters.
Some even feared it was the end of the road for Frew last July when she suffered an Achilles injury– a month after she was involved in a terrifying van accident with her Steel teammates.
But Frew, who closed her career with 176 outings for the Southern side, said there was a lot of belief within the team and praised the influence of her senior players who instilled the all-important Premiership-winning composure.
The Southern Steel defied all odds in the highly-anticipated grand final. Photo / Getty
"I think it shows the character of the girls, there was belief there and we just knew it was about doing your own job in those closing minutes," she said.
"The composure from the girls was unreal ... I'm so proud of the leadership they showed and they were just composed out there in the crucial moments and that was crucial to winning the match."
"When you're down and score the last seven goals it's huge and at this level, Pulse were favourites in the game and we pulled back and we just showed the true character of the girls and it was just a huge team effort ... it will never be forgotten."
