After spending more time on the bench than on the court in her two seasons with North Adelaide, Genna Anderson buried a long range jumper inside the final 30 seconds as the Rockets held on to beat the Sturt Sabres 73-70.

In what was the first Grand Final to be decided by single digits since 2005, and one of the closest title-deciders in Centrla ABL history, the Rockets survived some nervy moments down the stretch to avoid a third straight second place finish.

All the momentum appeared to be with the Rockets late in the game, after building a three point lead with 2.28 left. That was before dynamic penetration from Angela Marino not only resulted in five straight Sabre points in three possessions, but the disqualification of star Rocket centre Jamie-Lee Peris. Ironically, it was Peris’ substitute Anderson that stole the headlines less than a minute later, hitting from the top of the key with the shot clock winding down.

The Sabres, minus injured star Natalie Novosel, still had chances to tie, either side of two uncharacteristic missed free throws from Rockets star Jo Hill. With 18 seconds remaining, Marino bounced the ball off the back of her foot and was called for a backcourt violation, while Lucy Spalding missed a wide open short range corner jumper in the final five seconds.

Hill (22 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists) finished as the game’s MVP. She had 14 of her side’s first 21 points, keeping them in the match early. Peris had 14 points, Anderson 13 and Kirsty Williams 10 for the Rockets, who won despite trailing at each intermission.

The Rockets kept getting open jumpers in the second half, yet on this night, the majority looked good, but were unsuccessful. The Sabres’ ball movement was not nearly as good, but Marino’s penetration was at times enough to create something out of nothing. The Sabres also made the most of their trips to the foul-line, unlike their opponents.

Marino finished with 21 points for the Sabres, while Hannah Richards scored 18 and Jess McPhail 11.

By James Woite