Hume 1 have booked their place in the 2023 Section 3 Grand Final, after a strong preliminary final performance over minor premiers Lalor 1 at La Trobe Sports Stadium.
In a terrific display, Hume won all four quarters by at least three goals, while keeping the Bloods to their lowest goal tally for the season on their way to a 37-23 victory.
Despite losing both regular season encounters with Lalor this year, Hume’s triumph now gives them the opportunity to win the club’s first ever senior winter netball premiership in the NFNL.
Alysha Shephard top scored with 25 goals for Hume, stepping up particularly in the third term to produce eight of her side’s 10 goals for the quarter. Emma Stalenberg was consistent throughout the match in goal shooter and finished with 12 goals.
Kristin Birch did most of the attacking for the Bloods and produced 17 goals, while Jessie Gunstone was also a standout despite their side’s defeat.
It was Hume that controlled the opening stages of the game, with both Shephard and Stalenberg getting involved straight away inside the attacking circle. They combined nicely to score four goals each in the first quarter.
Lalor did well to match Hume’s tempo throughout the term despite not being able to keep up on a scoring front, but it was Hume’s ability to convert chances that saw them take four-goal lead into quarter time.
Hume’s defensive discipline went up a notch in the second term, as they applied strong pressure towards their opponents in their back third.
Goal keeper Danielle Smith was a highlight, reading the balls coming in well and pulling down rebound after rebound for her side.
Lalor’s midcourters Cara Jarvie and Jessie Gunstone did what they could to bring the energy coming into attack, but it was Hume that controlled the midcourt battle, thanks to Dakota Lister, who shut down their opponents’ transition and limited the Bloods’ options in the midcourt.
Hume’s lead extended to eight at the main break before they relished in what was a high-scoring third quarter.
Shephard was excellent in the attacking third and was incredibly efficient in her shooting, finishing with eight goals.
Lalor got a bit more flow at the other end, with Birch’s move to goal attack seeing her produce her equal highest scoring quarter of the match with five goals.
But it was Hume who again had the control and looked destined to break the game open even further at three quarter time with an 11-goal lead intact.
The goals continued to come from both sides throughout the last term, but Hume’s efficiency was again a huge factor in the quarter, scoring 11 goals to secure a brilliant 14-goal win.
