THEY simply cannot be stopped.
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Collegians Mystified claimed their third straight Bathurst Netball Association A grade crown on Saturday with a 39-28 win over Panthers.
Collegians completed an unbeaten season in dominant fashion, rarely letting the momentum slip from their grasp in the decider
With their latest win Collegians have now taken out three of the four seasons they've played in the top grade, and this year's grand final win was the biggest one yet.
The 11-point margin was earned mostly on the back of some excellent defence from the defending champions after the half-time break.
Collegians hadn't played an A grade game in almost a month but there were no signs of rust among the minor premiers.
Coach Melissa Noonan continues to be amazed by her team's efforts.
"They're just getting better and better each year and it would be amazing to continue this run. Our third quarter was where we put the foot down and that's where we won it," she said.
"During the breakfast in the morning, which we've done every year now, we talked about that third quarter and said 'That's where we need to get it done'. It's brilliant to see them put that in action.
"I'm amazed because it's hard for any team to build back up after making changes. To be able to do that for a third year in a row - since we moved to A grade in 2017 - is excellent."
Panthers' Jess Matthews said the game got away from the team after half-time but up until then the side were right in the contest.
"That third quarter really let us down. I think we just dropped our heads after losing a couple of balls and Collegians were able to capitalise on that," she said.
- READ MORE: Bathurst Netball Association: Collegians Mystified chasing a third straight A grade grand final win against Panthers
- READ ALSO: Bathurst Netball Association: Panthers win by one point over Bulldogs Verdelho in preliminary final
- READ ALSO: Bathurst Netball Association: Panthers and Bulldogs Verdelho face off in A grade preliminary final
"Once you get a roll on it's easy to keep going. It was really close and evenly matched outside of that. If the third quarter had gone differently then the last quarter would have been quite interesting."
Panthers came into the game fired up after their one-point preliminary final win over Bulldogs Verdelho and came out ready to play.
After a couple of missed early opportunities Panthers got things back together to get within a point of Collegians at half-time, with the scores at 18-17.
Our third quarter was where we put the foot down and that's where we won it.
- Melissa Noonan
But, in one of their greatest quarters of the season, Collegians ran away with the game.
Mystified outscored Panthers 13-4 with a combination of fast-paced play, accurate shooting and solid defence.
They didn't take the foot off either, extending the margin by one point before the full-time siren.
Collegians goal defence Teagan Germech was named player of the grand final for the second straight season.
Noonan said the defensive end of the court laid the foundation for the grand final win.
"She gets put under pressure quite a lot on our baseline throw ins. Our GK Sam Thompson has a lot of trust to just throw the ball to her and know that she'll get it," she said.
"Our defence was really strong and our shooters would have missed somewhere around six shots all game. It helps when your shooters are on fire."
Meanwhile in A reserve 1 grade Scots All Saints College won a cracking grand final over Panthers Allsorts 34-32.