Match reviews from the Section 9 to 12 netball grand finals.
Section 9 Grand Final – Thomastown 3 vs Northcote Park 3
Thomastown 3 capped a fantastic season to claim the Section 9 netball premiership.
After a tight first half, the Bears were able to break away in the final two quarters to claim a 32-21 grand final victory over Northcote Park 3 at Parade College.
After defeating Lower Plenty 1 in the preliminary final, Northcote Park made the top side work hard for the ball in the opening term and moved quickly down court to seal the first goal.
Thomastown struggled to settle under the ring, but with a turnover down in defence they managed to bring the ball forward and score their first goal.
Northcote Park GD Elly O’Loughlin took a hit in the circle and came down with ankle injury. Early positional changes had to be made as she was helped off court and rested for the remainer of the final.
Making many intercepts in defence put Thomastown in front, however Northcote Park’s attack worked quickly off centre passes and tied the game in no time.
The Cougars played tight defence on Thomastown and forced a held ball just outside their attacking third. They took possession and hit the lead at quarter time.
Northcote Park kept the pressure on every pass made by the Bears and managed to bring in a few turnovers. However, Thomastown were more accurate when shooting opportunities presented, which gave them the slight edge in the second term.
Thomastown GD Sophie Cunningham called time for an injury nearing the end of the first half. While she walked it off on the bench, her teammate Tanae Creek took her place and Shilo Parrott took GA position.
Northcote Park managed some late goals in the second term and brought back the deficit to just two goals, with Thomastown leading 14-12.
The sides kept tight defence across the court during the third quarter, with every pass contested and leaving no room for errors.
Northcote Park GD Georgie Makris pulled in the intercept which gave her side a push into attack and led to her side’s first goal of the second half.
Northcote Park GA McGuinness kept fighting for rebounds, but Thomastown GD Creek was in better position under the ring.
Thomastown gradually started to extend its lead late in the quarter and Parrott scored right on the three quarter time whistle to stretch the Bears lead out to seven goals.
The Bears continued to pull away thereafter, with their defence proving tough to break down and regularly turning the ball over when Northcote Park pushed forward.
Thomastown racked up a 13-goal lead, however Northcote Park fought the game out and managed some late goals to close the final margin to 11.
Thomastown GD Sophie Cunningham was rewarded for her great game by taking out the best on court medal.
Final score: Thomastown 3 (32) def Northcote Park 3 (21)
Best on court: Sophie Cunningham (Thomastown 3)
Section 10 Grand Final – Watsonia 4 vs South Morang 3
South Morang 3 romped to the Section 10 netball premiership with a dominant grand final performance against Watsonia 4 at Parade College.
The Lions stepped onto court fresh from a stellar 22-goal win over Kilmore in the preliminary final and were ready to take on Watsonia again after going down by just two in their semi final a fortnight ago.
Watsonia struggled under the post early, with their shots just not landing. South Morang GD Bridget Canals was all over rebounds, never letting Watsonia in with a second chance.
The Lions scored a quick succession of goals to start the game but soon conceded a few to the top side after some wayward passing. Watsonia GS Emma Watkins scored her side’s first goal and soon her side was on the move again to try and get another one.
South Morang took a five-goal lead into quarter time, and Watsonia C Allanah Simpson was desperate to make an impact early in the second – lunging to take an intercept on the centre pass, but was just short of pulling in the ball.
South Morang GS Sonia Wolski held great space at the post and would drag her defender out, giving GA Jessica Tornese an easy run to space as the Lions fed in the ball.
Watsonia appeared to feel the pressure of the grand final, missing several passes as well as shots at the ring.
The Lions pushed in front by 10 in the second quarter, but a break by GA Tornese on their centre gave Watsonia another chance to score. Unfortunately for the Saints they weren’t able to capatalise and put scoreboard pressure on the Lions.
Watsonia worked hard to get intercepts at the third line and stop the ball from progressing further for South Morang. They Saints fed the ball down court and had plenty of possession awarded to them, which could have boosting their confidence going forward.
South Morang took a nine-goal lead into half time, with the scores reading 16-9.
The Lions fed the ball with ease down the court early in the third and were also able to grab intercepts as the continued to have control of the match.
Watsonia GS Watkins moved well around the circle and in one fine play, she kept the ball in court and scored a much-needed goal for her team.
However, South Morang couldn’t be halted and continued their charge throughout the term – stretching to an 18-goal advantage at three quarter time.
South GD Canals had a huge reach over the shooters which gave her an advantage at rebounding. She used this to great effect throughout the game.
South Morang kept firing through the final quarter and never looked like slowing down. The Lions extended their lead further and finished the game with a 21-goal win.
The best on court medal was awarded to South Morang’s Jessica Tornes, who enjoyed a great all-round game.
Final score: South Morang 3 (34) def Watsonia 4 (13)
Best on court: Jessica Tornes (South Morang 3)
Section 11 Grand Final Wrap
The Section 11 premiership was won by Montmorency 4. The Magpies claimed a 28-19 win over Fitzroy Stars 4 at Parade College, with Magpies shooter Rebecca Buckley winning the best on court medal. Buckley finished with 18 goals in her side’s grand final win over a Stars side which came from third place to reach the decider.
Final score: Montmorency 4 (28) def Fitzroy Stars 4 (19)
Best on court: Rebecca Buckley (Montmorency 4)
Section 12 Grand Final Wrap
Heat 4 claimed the Section 12 flag with a nine-goal win over Bundoora 7 in the night’s final grand final. Chloe Allan was named best in the 22-13 win at Parade College. The result capped a fantastic season for Heat 4, who finished the regular game season two games clear atop the leader.
Final score: Heat 4 (22) def Bundoora 7 (13)
Best on court: Chloe Allan (Heat 4)
