A recap of the 2024 Cleaning Melbourne Divisions 1-5 winter netball grand finals, which were held at La Trobe Sports Stadium on Friday night.
Division 1: North Heidelberg 1 (53) def by Diamond Creek 1 (63)
By Josh Ward
Diamond Creek 1 have added another Division 1 winter netball premiership to their trophy cabinet after defeating North Heidelberg 1 by 10 goals in Friday night’s decider. In front of a packed La Trobe Sports Stadium, the Creekers got off to a fast start in the first quarter, leading by nine goals at quarter time and gaining complete momentum of the match. The undefeated Bulldogs were able to slowly get back into the contest during quarters two and three and got to within three goals before another Diamond Creek run late in the third saw them hold a 10-goal advantage at the final break, a lead which they were able to hold onto by the time the final whistle sounded. Creekers’ goal shooter Emmalia Blake was immense, finishing with 60 of her side’s 63 goals and hardly missed a shot on goal. North Heidelberg midcourter Evelyn Phelan would go on to be awarded the best on court medallion after putting in a solid shift during the first and last quarters in wing defence and centre for the Bulldogs.
Division 2: North Heidelberg 3 (45) def Greensborough 1 (26)
By Josh Ward
North Heidelberg 3 produced one of their most dominant wins of the season to take out the Division 2 Grand Final, with a 19-goal triumph over Greensborough 1. The victory was set up in an impressive opening half with the Bulldogs not allowing their opposition to get any free-flowing movement across the court. In turn, North Heidelberg had all the answers going the other way and led by 14 goals at half time. The Bulldogs were still able to maintain control of the contest in the final two terms despite some more promising signs from the Boro, before a flurry of goals in the last quarter secured North Heidelberg’s premiership success. Greensborough’s Mia Sannholm and North Heidelberg’s Keeley Mighall finished as the game’s leading goal scorers with 19 goals each, whilst Bulldogs goal keeper Ava Friedl finished with the best on court medal, providing plenty of spark in the final three quarters in defence.
Division 3: South Morang 1 (41) def by Old Eltham Collegians (47)
By Josh Ward
An enthralling Division 3 Grand Final has seen Old Eltham Collegians 1 named as premiers for the first time in the NFNL senior netball competition, coming from behind to defeat South Morang in extra time by six goals. With the top two sides in the division playing out the final match of the season, nothing could separate both teams in the opening three quarters, as each side were able to capitalise when the momentum swung their way. One goal was the difference approaching the final term before the Lions rushed out to a six-goal lead with eight minutes remaining. But the Turtles flipped the script and charged home to tie the score by the end of regulations, with their late surge carrying them through extra time to finish six-goal winners. Danielle Smith was awarded best on court honours, with her defensive efforts strong across the entire match to help her side get over the line.
Division 4: Heat 4 (31) def Hazel Glen 1 (23)
By Elly Kirlis
Heat 4 were able to break the Division 4 Grand Final open after quarter time and prove too strong for Hazel Glen 1 in an eight-goal victory. Both sides were on song throughout the opening quarter, with each team exchanging goals throughout the term. 6-6 was the quarter time scoreline, before the pressure from Heat, particularly from their midcourt players, saw them score the last four goals of the term to lead at half time. The pressure continued, as Heat were able to punish Hazel Glen on turnover, and extend their margin to five goals as a result. The minor premiers then finished strong with a superb nine-goal last quarter to end the night as Division 4 premiers. Jade Bradley and Catherine Taylor were standouts for the winning side, orchestrating things well in the midcourt, while the versatile and hard-working Hazel Glen wing attack Jessica Hattie, was rewarded with best on court honours.
Division 5: Greensborough 3 (26) def by Oak Park Flyers 1 (27)
By Elly Kirlis
It was a famous Division 5 Grand Final for Oak Park Flyers 1, who secured the club’s first ever NFNL netball premiership, after holding on to defeat Greensborough 3 by one goal. The Flyers had a promising start to the match, leading by two goals at quarter time, before a 9-4 second term pushed their advantage out to seven goals approaching the second half. But the Boro started to be more clinical when in possession of the ball and were able to cut the deficit to three goals with one term remaining. A see-sawing last quarter played out, as Greensborough were able to tie the scores on multiple occasions in the final term, but with second remaining, Oak Park Flyers produced the go-ahead goal to seal a terrific premiership win. Providing 20 of her side’s 27 goals for the game, including four crucial last quarter goals, was Alexandra Gilpin who’s influence in attack saw her named as the best on court.
