Libby Magann has reflected on her ninth Australian country title as one of her most satisfying.
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The Tamworth stalwart helped lead the NSW Blues to an 8-6 win over arch-rivals Queensland Maroon in the final to again be crowned national champions. She was one of a trio of Tamworth players to feature in the victorious side with Katherine Grellman and Mikayla Gross also suiting up for the Blues.
They were part of a strong Tamworth contingent with Nelli Jackson, Lara Taggart, Emily Grellman, Laura Hill and Giaan White playing for the NSW Waratahs side which won bronze, while Katie Salter took to the water for the Queensland Black women's side and Henry Kelly the ADF men's side.
Magann was the Blues' co-captain and said it was "a very tough week" for them.
They faced a lot of hurdles during the tournament and took a while to click, but managed to put it together when it counted.
"We saved our best game until last thankfully," she said.
Beaten 8-4 when they met Queensland in the round games, they were conscious of starting well in the final and produced an "amazing" first quarter to set up a two-goal lead.
"We knew we had to come out hard. We didn't want to play from behind," Magann said.
"It's hard to play mentally from behind."
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Still up by two heading heading into the final quarter, they were given a scare when Queensland scored the first two goals to level the scores at 6-all.
"It was very nerve-racking," she said.
The Blues reclaimed the lead with two minutes to go, a second goal with 13 seconds remaining sealing a memorable victory.
"I'm still smiling. It's one of those one's I won't forget in a hurry," Magann said.
She credited their team-work as one of the decisive factors in the turnaround. Up until the final while individually they had played well they hadn't played well as a team.
After being knocked out by the Blues in the semi-final the Waratahs went on to defeat Western Australia 7-3 in their play-off to finish with the bronze.
Tamworth's presence wasn't just in the water with Gail Salter travelling as NSW manager and referee.
It has been a big couple of weeks on a representative front with Mikalya Gross making the Australian Schoolgirls water polo team, and just this week, Bianca Watson being named in the NSW under-16s Waratahs side to contest next month's inter-state championships in Sydney.
That news came after Sarah Hofman, Bianca Mulligan, Georgie Griffiths, Sarah Klassen, Liilianna Baillie, Ella Mitchell and Jess Froud (reserve) were selected in the under-16s country side.
