HUME City Falcons diffused the Victorian Netball League final with a withering first-half burst on Saturday night as they defeated Monash University Central by 10 goals.
The Falcons hoisted the Holden Cruze Cup and celebrated back-to-back championship grade premierships with the 54-44 win at the State Netball Centre.
The accurate shooting of Lara Hickmott and attacking work-rate of Tegan Caldwell set the tone for Hume City as it opened a six-goal gap by quarter-time.
The ambitious long passing of wing attack Jacinta Todd was matched by the athleticism of Caldwell to complete a number of scoring drives.
With Hume's mid-court trio of Todd, centre Christie Barnes and wing defence Elissa MacLeod keeping turnovers to a minimum, Caldwell capitalised as she worked up the court out of the goal circle to add more pressure.
The passage that typified the hard work of Hume City came in the second quarter when Caldwell intercepted a Monash pass near halfway, then let the ball bounce into the attacking goal circle where she claimed possession and shot uncontested.
Outrun and down by nine at half-time, Monash tried to break up the game in the third quarter with tactical changes but had no joy as Hume City's passing continued to pick holes in the backline.
With goalkeeper Peta Fay and goal defence Casey Price blocking and out-rebounding Monash, the margin blew open to as many as 16 in the final term.
A late challenge could only close within nine, Todd spotting up Hickmott with a pass from halfway to put the full stop on Hume City's win.
"We did some really good homework and spent a fair bit of time analysing video footage, it enhanced the work we'd done," Hume City coach Marg Lind said.
"Our structure held up well, Lara and Tegan combined well while Casey and Peta contained. Tonight we just tried to be solid and focus on the individual contest.
"We may lose a few to retirement, it's a matter of looking at the line-up and working out what we need."
Goal defence Casey Price played the full match showing no signs of a hot spot identified in her right foot that kept her off the court for six weeks mid-season.
With regular goal defence Vikki Bester already missing the finals series with an achilles injury, Price played a key role closing down Monash attacks.
"Vikki's pretty much the backbone, when she went out it was devastating. Having to go into her position was really hard," Price said.
"When I found out about the hot spot I was really upset, I thought my season would be over.
"Marg [Lind] spoke to me before game, said I'd worked hard to get where I was and she had faith in me, I just needed to put it out on the court."
Hume City centre Christie Barnes was voted by the umpires as best-on-court.
The Under-19 grand final also ended in victory for Hume City, with Clare Moylan best on court in a 44-36 win against Southern Saints.
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