In their first season in the NFNL Cleaning Melbourne winter netball competition, Broadford 1 have booked their place in the Division 6 Grand Final following a 12-goal win over Watsonia 3 at La Trobe Sports Stadium.
The Roos led throughout the opening three terms and took a seven-goal advantage into the final term, before a powerful 7-2 last quarter solidified a 38-26 victory, as well as their spot in the decider.
Broadford have been a force throughout most of the winter campaign, with their semi-final triumph being their ninth consecutive win of the season and having now defeated Watsonia in their last two games, they will be confident of adding silverware to their cabinet in a fortnight’s time.
The Roos kept the top of the ladder Saints to their equal lowest score of the year to date, thanks to some terrific efforts from Brooke Currell and April Maunder in the defensive circle. Megan Berger was also excellent at goal keeper for the majority of the second half and was pivotal in the winning side’s great defensive performance.
Kate Berger (21 goals) and Holly Dawson (17) combined well at the other end of the court to help the scoreboard keep ticking for Broadford.
For the Saints, Ruby Formosa and Kara O’Donohue were the team’s most consistent players on the night. Formosa was terrific at goal defence and often tried to establish key transitional plays for Watsonia during the match, while O’Donohue finished with 20 of her team’s 26 total goals.
Watsonia opened the game in brilliant fashion, scoring the first three goals of the game and putting the Roos defence on the backfoot, before Broadford responded with a goal-run of their own to help produce an entertaining first quarter between the two sides.
Broadford would lead by three goals at the first break, before extending that advantage out to six goals by half time, following a clinical 11-goal second term.
Looking to stay in the contest, Watsonia lifted their work rate in attack during the third term and would finish the quarter with nine goals.
The Roos however were lethal after winning the ball back on turnover and were able to make their opportunities count going forward.
Kate Berger had a brilliant term in goal shooter, with her ability to be a key target inside the attacking circle while also pulling down strong rebounds, helping her produce a seven-goal quarter also.
It would help Broadford slightly push their lead out to seven goals approaching the last stanza.
Despite the game still being in the balance during the fourth term, the Roos’ flow across the court was outstanding with their brilliant leads to the ball and patience when in possession, seeing them get on top in the midcourt.
Broadford would go on to pile seven goals in the term, while keeping their opponents to two-goals in the process, setting up their terrific 12-goal victory to earn their spot in the club’s first NFNL netball Grand Final.
