Hume City Broncos wrote another chapter into the remarkable history of their Big V women’s state championship side.
Having played off in seven of the past nine grand finals, including winning five championships, the Broncos made it title number six on Saturday night.
Facing Ringwood for a fourth straight season decider, the Broncos sought revenge after losing to the Hawks 12 months ago.
And revenge was sweet.
Broncos’ coach Katrina Hibbert, who played in the 2013 championship before taking the role of coach the past two years, said it was a credit to the club to have developed such a strong program.
“To implement a program … with locals being the focus and not signing players as a quick fix … they’ve done a great job of keeping juniors at the club and coming through the system,” she said. “It’s evident in the success that you don’t have to go out and get big name imports and have a big budget to be successful.
“Viv [Saad], Mua [Lalofi], Rebecca [Romeo], Sarah [Wright] and Jacinta [Scott] are the core group of players, who have come through together.”
Saad, Lalofi, Wright, Romeo and Scott have all played in the past four grand finals, including three championships.
Colleen Planeta and Yinka Olorunnife now have two championships each, while Nicole Zammit, Monique Andriuolo, Sophie Byrnes and Natalie Karantzoulis won their first title this season.
The championship, though, signals what could be an end of an era. Planeta could finish her time with the Broncos – with three state championship most valuable player awards to go with her two championships.
Meanwhile, Jacinta Scott announced before Saturday’s game that she would be retiring from Big V after more than 300 games with the Broncos, Hawks and Craigieburn Eagles.
Her retirement was a double celebration with her partner Paige proposing during the post game celebrations.
Hibbert said it was also possible that Olorunnife would hang up the boots.
“They are not just great players, but they are also great people,” Hibbert said.
“Colleen was a great find and her consistency should see her win a third MVP. To do what she has done as an import is massive.”
The win also signals the end for Hibbert, who will join the coaching panel of Women’s National Basketball League side Melbourne Boomers.
