ANA 2025: Kangas clinch first A1 premiership since 2016 after outlasting Narrikup in tight grand final fight

Kangas 1 claimed their first Albany Netball Association A1 premiership in nine years after outlasting close rivals Narrikup 1 in an enthralling grand final on Saturday. A 15-goal second term was the catalyst for the five-goal premiership triumph, as Kangas skipped out to a handy half-time lead that Narrikup could not reel in. Narrikup fought hard in the third term, twice trimming the deficit to two goals but Kangas fired in four of the first five goals of the final quarter to reassert their control on the decider. Wing attack Hayley Hulm was outstanding across the four quarters, claiming the Lucille Holt Memorial Award as the fairest and best player in the grand final as she led from the front in Kangas 47-42 triumph. It was Kangas first grand final appearance since their 2016 win over Royals Saints, as the Nicole Newton coached outfit capped a superb 2025 season having beaten Narrikup in the qualifying final and then the title decider. “It’s a young team and the girls have worked hard throughout the season, so it was nice to come through at the other end with a win,” Newton said. “We do have a few leaving at the end of this season so it was nice to get that win together and all these girls have played for Kangas as juniors.” After an even opening term, Emily Gadean’s injection as goal shooter in the second helped swing momentum in Kangas favour. Gadean was on fire, netting Kangas first seven goals of the second as they raced ahead with Hulm working hard alongside centre Rachael Bradley to open up an advantage. Kangas led by five goals at half time and used four different players in the attack in the third but Narrikup kept coming. Hollie Jackman worked hard in defence and Winter Proudfoot gave great drive in mid-court, as Te Paea Keremete finished off Narrikup’s efforts in the circle. Keremete netted 11 of her 13 attempts in the third, helping her side win the quarter by two and enter the final term with plenty of hope. The moment of the game came early in the last as Kangas goalkeeper Sophie Panizza, who had been terrific alongside fellow young star Keely Berry, was handed a two-minute suspension by the umpires. Narrikup had the advantage of two forwards opposed to just Berry for that period. However Berry was up for the challenge as she her frantic defending saw Kangas concede just one goal in a pivotal two-minute period. Kangas quickly stretched the margin to six goals as Panizza returned and despite the sharpshooting of Keremete, Kangas were not to be denied. Keremete hit eight goals at 100 percent in the fourth but Kangas through Gadean (eight goals) and Kaitlyn Bradley (four) held on. Newton praised her entire squad and their resilience when Panizza was excluded. “We were pretty consistent through the whole game and had a full bench, the rotations helped us switch up our attack a bit,” she said. “It was a bit worrying when Soph got sent off but we joked Keely went into full beast mode and the mid-court players also stepped up. “Em Gadean shot the lights out coming back from an ankle injury and I thought Apryl Oreo was also a standout.” Keremete was outstanding in a losing affair, hitting 31 of her 36 attempts, Proudfoot and Lucia Edwards worked tirelessly in mid-court and Jackman was very strong in defence. “We were a bit disappointed but both teams did play well,” Narrikup coach Tanya McLennan said. “They took advantage in a few key moments. “We’re a relatively new team and didn’t have any real expectation at the start of the year so I’m very proud of the girls.”