By Matt Fotia
New South Wales have claimed their first Australian Netball Championships (née Australian Netball League) since 2011, defeating hometown side the Capital Darters, 58-50.
The Waratahs won all four of their games at the championships, led by their miserly defence who conceded less than 175 goals for the tournament.
The Darters challenged the Waratahs in an intense final, heading into halftime with scores locked at 26 apiece, before NSW pulled away in the second half to claim victory.
Grand Final MVP Millie Tonkin led the way for the champions, finishing with 37 goals and was ably supported by Olivia Harris (15 goals).
Millie Tonkin shot 37 goals in the final.Nalani Makunde shot 39 goals for the Darters to cap off another impressive ANCs for the Zimbabwean.
Earlier the First Nations Black Swans won the bronze medal match against the Territory Storm, 49-39.
The Black Swans defence stepped up when it counted, keeping the Storm to just eight goals in both the second and third quarters to open up a healthy eight-goal buffer at the final change.
Chelsea Coleman (16 goals) and Brooke Wilson (13) were impressive in attack for the Storm, while Jamaica Jauncey closed out a notable weeks work with 33 goals, lifting her to a tournament tally of 115, behind only Tonkin (126) and Makunde (136).
Black Swans captain Gabby Coffey was named tournament MVP following four strong outings for the First Nations side.
Black Swans captain Gabby Coffey starred all week.You can find all of the results and statistics from the 2024 Australian National Championships here.
