Second Lucille Holt honour for on-target Finigan as she lifts Magpies to memorable A1 grand final victory

Diminutive shooter Brittany Finigan won the Lucille Holt perpetual trophy for a second time after an outstanding display in attack helped the Magpies claim grand final glory on Saturday afternoon. Finigan was told when she started playing in the Albany Netball Association A1 competition she was too small to be a shooter, and with grit and determination, the 29-year-old has proven the doubters wrong. Now regarded as one of the best shooters in the competition, Finigan was named the fairest and best player in a grand final for the second time on the back of 27 goals at 90 per cent efficiency. “I came into the team a few years ago not as a shooter,” she said. “I put this (award) down to my competitiveness, I was told by a few people I would never be a shooter in A1 because of my size. “I thought I’d like to prove them wrong and I haven’t looked back since.” Finigan started brilliantly in the opening term with seven goals from eight attempts and she had 14 by half time. She was held to three goals in the third but produced another big effort in the all-important final quarter to net 10 goals from 11 attempts and proved the difference as her Magpies outgunned Narrikup by 11 goals at the finish. Her partner in crime, Emma Holliday, was also superb in the attacking circle with 32 goals from 34 attempts and Finigan said it was a dream combination. “We play together on Thursday nights in Denmark and throughout the year we were getting better and better,” Finigan said. “I’m a running shooter and Emma is the one that has to read off me. “What a time to come up with our best and she played out of her skin.” Finigan’s 39-goal heroics earned her the Lucille Holt accolade in the Magpies’ 2018 premiership triumph but the star forward said this year’s win was even sweeter. “At the start of the season we weren’t sure about having an A1 team, but we bit the bullet and did it,” she said. “Rosemary (Wolter) said at the start of the year when we played Narrikup this is the level I want you to be at and that fuelled the fire for everyone. “Come finals we kept our composure and continued to play our game and we just played like a mature team. “For me personally I’ve really learnt over the last five or six years to control my mental game and that’s made a difference, not getting down on myself. “I’ve enjoyed being a part of this group and I couldn’t have done it without them, they are all so positive.”