Rumbalara complete a flawless season to claim Murray Netball League A-grade crown

In front of a heaving court ringed three-deep with spectators, a smoking ceremony, and a Yakama Rumba sign perched proudly on the bench, the reigning premier completed an undefeated season and went back-to-back with a 54-43 dismantling of Nathalia in Saturday’s Murray Netball League decider at Moama Recreation Reserve.

After an unbeaten home and away season, coach Jess Bamblett admitted there was heavy pressure on her shoulders in the lead up to the highly billed decider.

Which is why victory tasted all the sweeter.

“It’s an unreal feeling going back-to-back,” she said.

“I didn’t think it was possible ... I got to play with my 16-year-old daughter in her first grand final, so I’m absolutely stoked about that.”

Bamblett shared the court with her daughter, Jaydah Wanganeen, in the closing moments with victory already sewn up.

But if this game looked one-sided on paper, the first quarter proved that was far from the case.

With the first Nathalia centre pass already in the net inside seconds, the Purples pressed hard and made early turnovers pay.

A series of surgical conversions from Aimee Sidebottom and the metronomic rhythm of Laura Cole had Rumbalara scrambling as bodies hit the deck and whistles pierced the air.

But at the other end Jessie Barnes-Hill — Rumba’s chief scorer and on-court general — was dragging her side up the track.

By quarter-time the damage was manageable, Nathalia up 14-12 largely thanks to its legwork in the opening five minutes.

But the tide seemed like turning – and turn it did.

Young Rumbalara centre Zioni Garling-Mathyssen shifted seamlessly onto the court to free up Sarah Thorpe on the wing, and the extra cover shut down Nathalia’s midcourt rhythm.

When a Purples mistake gifted possession at 15-all, Rumbalara pounced, moving ahead for the first time.

From there, the see-saw tilted violently.

A five-goal buffer at the half (28-23) was a product of sheer defensive graft and, time and again, Rumbalara’s defensive end of Bamblett and Tiarna Steel snaffled rebounds and flicked the ball with lightning precision up the court.

The third term was when Rumbalara stepped on the gas.

Barnes-Hill clunked aerial balls like a seasoned full-forward and finished with similar aplomb, contorting the Purples’ defence and turning a five-goal lead into double digits.

Nathalia fought hard, clawing the gap back to six after an inspired run from Jacinta Todd off the bench and into the middle, but Rumbalara’s composure reasserted itself.

By three-quarter time it was 45-34, the champions-elect holding all the cards.

The last quarter played out like an affirmation of everything Rumbalara had built across an undefeated season.

Nathalia surged off the line with furious intent — bodies still crunching, intercepts still flying — but Rumbalara was always a beat quicker, a shade stronger, a fraction cleaner.

As the scoreboard ticked over to 54-43 the roar from Rumbalara’s end became deafening, a rolling wall of sound that matched the wave of yellow, blue and red on the court.

Steel was judged best-on-court following a defensive performance that matched her name.

Bamblett paid credit to Nathalia for proving a worthy adversary all season.

“They didn’t make the grand final for no reason and they’re a really quality team,” she said.

“My respect goes to them because every time they give us a good crack and give us a fright. Tracey, Kara Blizzard and Toddy have done a really good job there.”

Saturday’s win is a bittersweet pill for some in the Rumbalara camp, with Bamblett confirming some of the contingent – including Barnes-Hill – won’t return in 2026.

But for now, it’s about savouring the moment and celebrating with the community that has backed the Rumbalara girls all the way.

“I want to thank the Rumbalara club for all their time and effort they’ve put into us and what they do every week for us,” Bamblett said.