EVEN the power of NSW Sports Minister Graham Annesley, who lives in Sutherland Shire, couldn't get Sutherland across the line in netball's Waratah Cup final.
Mr Annesley was a guest of Netball NSW when the undefeated Sutherland team attempted back-to-back premierships last week at Lidcombe's Anne Clark Centre.
For a while they looked the goods, after holding an 11-goal lead midway through the match against Eastwood Ryde, the same team they defeated last year.
But in a battle of Sydney's best two teams, chock-full of representatives, Eastwood clawed their way back before eventually winning by four goals.
Sutherland Shire coach Maria Lynch and her players might be wondering how they let such a big lead slip.
Earlier, Sutherland goalkeeper Hannah Lee dominated proceedings with her defence and intercepts, helped by Nadja Kundrus-Little, while at the other end experienced goalshooter Melissa Tallent banged over the goals for Sutherland, ably assisted by captain Leah Shoard (GA).
Sutherland led 18-8 at the first break, extending their advantage at half-time to 11 (30-19).
But in what was a carbon copy of the 2012 season finale, Eastwood came back from the dead. Their defence headed by goalkeeper Jessica Mansell started to pressure Tallent into error and their inspirational captain, Jo Day, was given more chances to score.
Lynch called time out, benched Tallent, changed her centre and Sutherland managed to stop the momentum Eastwood had built up to hold onto a five-goal lead (38-33) at the final change.
Lynch made more changes, but the fourth quarter saw the Eastwood combination of Day and goalshooter Amy Sommerville stampede the goal.
Eastwood drew level early in the fourth quarter, and opened up a five-goal lead midway through.
Sutherland desperately fought to claw back, but in the end time ran out as Eastwood Ryde celebrated a 50-46 victory, and netball's prestigious Waratah Cup.
"It wasn't a great night for us but I couldn't ask to play with a better group," lamented Shoard afterwards. "Congratulations to Eastwood the way they were able to fight back to win."
The 2013 result was a complete reverse of last year, when Eastwood Ryde went into the grand final undefeated, and Sutherland had to come from behind to win the trophy.
Jo Day was a worthy recipient of Netball NSW President's Medal for the grand final's most outstanding player.
