Montmorency 5 ended a three-game losing streak to book their spot in the Section 10 finals series after a brilliant seven-goal victory over Heat 9 at RMIT University.
A 13-goal opening term help set the tone of the Magpies performance and while Heat reduced the deficit to four goals at the final change, Montmorency held firm to win 32-22, confirming their place in the finals.
Some critical clutch shots from Casey Jewell (22 goals) and Ruby McGowan (10 goals) gave the confidence the Magpies needed to seal victory in the final term, whilst centre Olivia Clark and defensive players Ausila Somerville, Georgia O’Dwyer and Kate Crilly worked tirelessly in the backcourt to maintain possession for Montmorency.
Jade Davies was the Heat’s star shooter with a season-high 17 goals in the match. Her seven-goal third term was imperative in keeping her side in the hunt throughout the contest.
But it was that scorching start from Montmorency that gave them the upper hand as the game commenced. Led by 10 goals from Jewell, the Magpies shot 13 goals for the term, and while Heat were able to keep up early, the goal attack’s brilliant efforts in the shooting circle gave her side the perfect start to the match.
Heat lifted the intensity and energy in the second quarter, which initiated from Kim Harris’ impressive efforts in the midcourt.
Her strong feeds into the shooting circle allowed Jade Davies to continue her own solid start in the attacking third, as she finished the first half with nine goals.
At the other end, goalkeeper Rebecca Dighton turned up the pressure, with her ability to win multiple one-on-one contests and pull strong rebounds, limiting Montmorency’s attacking presence.
Leilani Nicol was a standout at centre for the Magpies and was able to match Heat’s intensity in the midcourt, ensuring her side still had a strong lead at the main break.
However, Heat came out dominant to start the third term and were able to again reduce the deficit by quarter’s end.
Wing attack Tahni Gueli found her mojo throughout the quarter and was an excellent feeder to her shooters. It allowed Heat to get to within two goals at one point in the term before Montmorency steadied and took a four-goal advantage into the final period.
In a quarter filled with plenty of energy, both sides went goal for goal in the main parts of the last term, but it was the Magpies, who already had a slight lead, that were able to edge out their opponents.
Dighton was at her best again in the backcourt for Heat and ensured the game remained close throughout the quarter.
But as time started to run out and as they still trailed, Heat began to get desperate with their transitions into the attacking third.
Standing in their way of producing a comeback was the Magpies’ Nicol, with her move to wing defence allowing her to produce some important intercepts in the last few minutes, helping Montmorency prevail by seven goals.
