THEY’RE only 18 but Shannen Downer and Charlotte Jasprizza left their mark on the Orange Toyota Cup grand final.
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Downer played the full game at wing defence for eventual winners Robin Hood, while Jasprizza shared her time between centre and wing attack for Life Studio.
They both turned in stellar games, which is good because we’re unlikely to see them on court in Orange next year.
Downer will be moving to Canberra to attend university, while Jasprizza is relocating to Queensland to see how far she can take her netball career.
Downer is going to study a bachelor of psychology and a bachelor of sport science at the University of Canberra.
So the win for Downer, in her first division one grand final after previously playing with High A, was a great send off.
“It hasn’t really sunk in,” she said.
“I’m always worried in those types of games. They (Life Studio) can always get it back so easily.”
Downer said she enjoyed the decider.
“It was different. I think it flowed better.”
Jasprizza, who was playing her second top grade grand final with Life Studio, said the loss made leaving Orange a bit tougher.
“I’ll come back but, for a while, it’s my last one (grand final in Orange),” Jasprizza said.
“It was tough but good. It’s always a good game against Robin Hood. It’s disappointing. We got so close.”
Saturday’s grand final didn’t signal the end of the netball season for Jasprizza. Far from it.
In two weeks she’ll go to Queensland to trial for the state’s 19 years and under representative side.
She’ll come back to complete her Higher School Certificate at James Sheahan Catholic High and then early next year the former NSW 17s and 19s representative will move to Queensland.
“It’s very exciting but scary,” she said.
“I always thought I’d go to Sydney ... but I realised I don’t like Sydney.”