New South Wales lifted the trophy at the First Nations Netball Tournament after holding their nerve in an extra time thriller grand final against returning champions Queensland on Sunday.
Waradas shooter Charlotte Ryan added the final goal of the carnival after the buzzer to lodge a 53-51 win after manic final moments, and to deny Queensland a second undefeated run through the competition which brings Australia's best Indigenous netballers together on court.
After extending a slim quarter-time lead out to five goals mid-way through the second quarter, NSW trailed 32-30 at the final break of regular time following Queensland response from half time.
Queensland made the most of their opportunities when Waradas wing defence Acacia Elers was sent off for a two minute penalty.
Both defensive ends on the court showed pieces of brilliance with rebounds and intercepts in desperate efforts to edge out a win across the nail-biting fourth quarter.
A one goal lead to NSW separated the teams at the extra time change of ends, holding that advantage before Ryan's final shot after the clock ran to zero.
Ryan led the final with 37 goals, with Queensland's Georgia Lindsay and captain Lily Cubby sharing scoring at the other end in an intense largely goal-for-goal contest.
Waradas coach Colleen Mitchell said her side kept her on the edge of the seat through a "heart-stopper", and the credited the entire side for stepping up at crucial moments to get each other over the line.
Mitchell brought a young squad to Jubilee Park Stadium on Bunurong Country, aged between 17-21 for the under-23 competition.
On a faultless route to the final, Queensland, coached by second ever Indigenous women to represent the Australian Diamonds Sharon Finnan-White, registered a 16-point win over NSW.
Finnan-White told National Indigenous Times ahead of the final her side were "deadly serious" about finishing on top again in 2025.
"We wanted to go through undefeated, and the goal coming in here was to go back-to-back and win the gold medal again."
NSW centre Mia Evans was awarded the Sharon Finnan-White medal as grand final MVP, while her opposite player Queensland's Brianna Martyn was named player of the tournament as Marica Ella Duncan medal winner.
Ella-Duncan was the first Indigenous woman to play for the Australian national team in the mid-1980s.
Finnan-White also spoke of the broader strength of the tournament for all eight states and territories competing.
"If you took the top players here...they'd be strong enough to enter Suncorp Super Netball," she said.
Northern Territory claimed their first win in its second year, downing the ACT on Sunday.
Lutruwita (Tasmania) leaped up the standings from last year to finish third with a ten goal win over Victoria in the bronze medal game.
"It hasn't really sunk in. I think everyone thinks 'Oh yeah, Tassie. Eighth place'. But we've worked our bums off to get here and I think we really do deserve it," Lutruwita captain Bellah Parker said.
Previous semi-finalists Western Australia and Yakanarna (South Australia) had tougher tournaments this time around though both still posted big wins across the rounds stages.
In an extended format, each state and territory played one another across four days before medal matches.
"It's something that myself and a lot of other Indigenous leaders and netball players have been advocating for, for a very long time. So to see it come to fruition last year was amazing," Finnan-White said of the elite-level initiative for the best young Indigenous players in the country.
"It was such a lovely relief and really exciting to see where this tournament can take these players, because a lot of the girls have been hidden or have been unseen and unheard, and this platform gives them a stage to shine.
"For pathway selectors from Netball Australia to see the level of talent that we have here…it can open so many doors for these girls."
Performances at the First Nations Tournament help inform selection for the national Indigenous team the First Nations Black Swans.
Across the cohort competing, current and former Black Swans, Super Netball Reserves, UK professional league - NT's Gabby Coffey, and state premier league talent featured.
Sister pairings were also dotted across the teams.
"For me, it really highlighted the talent again that we know is in the community. It just showed that the skill set and the capabilities went up a notch this year, and I think that's because of the experience of last year," Netball Australia First Nations engagement lead and former Diamonds squad member said.
"That's a real win."
Tucker-Munro added the passion played with on court is plain to see.
"That's the beauty of this tournament, you're not just playing for your states (and territories); you're playing for pride, your mob, representing your community and your family…It makes the competition even, very competitive, and that's made for some really exciting games this week," she said.
TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT
GS: Jamaica Jauncey (Western Australia), GA: Jayda Grant (NSW Waradas), WA: Jayden Molo (Queensland), C: Brianna Martyn (Queensland), WD: Aaliyah Sheppard (Queensland), GD: Brook Lacey (Queensland), GK: Aaleya Turner (Yakanarna)
