A recap of eight of our 2024-25 senior summer netball grand finals, as well as our inaugural 17 & Under decider, which was held at La Trobe Sports Stadium on Friday night.
Division 6: Old Eltham Collegians 2 (19) def by Epping 2 (27)
By Elly Kirlis
Epping 2 finished off a strong backend to the Division 6 summer season with an eight-goal win over Old Eltham Collegians 2 in the decider. The result was difficult to predict throughout the early stages of the game, as both sides went goal for goal. A one-goal Blues half time lead increased to just two by the final break, before Epping found their groove in attack during the last quarter and produced a 10-goal term to win the premiership. Four goals in each quarter from goal attack Estelle Papaioannou was enough for the Epping star to win the best on court medal.
Best on Court: Estelle Papaioannou (Epping)
Best & Fairest: Olivia Fitzpatrick (Kilmore)
Star Shooter: Lexi Pappin (Kinglake) 162 goals
Division 7: Epping 3 (33) def Whittlesea 1 (27)
By Elly Kirlis
Epping 3 held off a third term comeback by Whittlesea 1 to complete the perfect season in Division 7. The Blues were excellent throughout the first half, and linked up well from defence to attack to help build a seven-goal half time advantage. The Eagles, who were coming into this game on a six-match winning streak, weren’t going to lie down however, and produced a 10-5 third term to stay in the hunt approaching the final quarter. But Epping didn’t let the pressure get to them, as they scored nine of the last 12 goals of the game to take home the silverware. Competition star shooter Shona Brooks scored 28 goals on her way to the best on court medal.
Best on Court: Shona Brooks (Epping)
Best & Fairest: Tara Wright (Hurstbridge)
Star Shooter: Shona Brooks (Epping) 124 goals
Division 8: Laurimar 3 (24) def by Whittlesea 2 (26)
Whittlesea 2 shrugged off a slow start to prove too strong for Laurimar 3 in the Division 8 decider. The minor premiers in Laurimar were outstanding in the first term with an 8-1 opening quarter, but it would be short-lived thanks to some terrific plays by the Eagles, which would see them score nine goals in each of the second and third terms to lead by two goals ahead of the final break. Despite the Power staying in the game until the last moments, Whittlesea’s momentum continued into the fourth and they found a way to cling on to a two-goal win. Chloe Talbot’s move to goal attack in the second term was a catalyst to her side’s premiership win, scoring 13 goals in the last three quarters on her way to a best on court medal.
Best on Court: Chloe Talbot (Whittlesea)
Best & Fairest: Sereh Bentley (Montmorency) and Tapukitea Nicol (Montmorency)
Star Shooter: Kate Reid (Watsonia) 88 goals
Division 9: Laurimar 4 (34) def Kilmore 5 (19)
By Casey McGuire
Laurimar 4 completed a flawless season to win the Division 9 premiership, after a 15-goal triumph over Kilmore 5. The final score didn’t reflect what took place during the opening three quarters, with five goals separating the two sides at the final break, however the Power stormed home with an 11-1 last quarter to finish victorious. Tori Williams added 24 goals to her season tally with great feeds from best on court medallist Tully Carr. Taylea Arnell and Jade McTaggart also stood out for Laurimar while Briana Recinos stood tall for Kilmore in defence and played with her heart on her sleeve.
Best on Court: Tully Carr (Laurimar)
Best & Fairest: Natalie Nolan (Bundoora)
Star Shooter: Tori Williams (Laurimar) 124 goals
Division 10: Greensborough 7 (24) def Watsonia 5 (23)
By Elly Kirlis
Extra time was needed to help decide the Division 10 premiers, with Greensborough 7 claiming a nail-biting one-goal triumph over Watsonia 5. Both sides were neck and neck throughout regulation, despite each producing three-goal runs across the second and third terms. Scores were locked at 13-13 at the final break and despite both teams producing their highest scoring quarters in the last, neither team could be separated. The Boro finally gained some breathing room in the first period of extra time and it would prove vital in them holding on to a one-goal win. Greensborough goal attack Rebecca Kouts scored 11 goals and took home best on court honours, while at the other end, Emma Watkins produced 20 of Watsonia’s 23 goals.
Best on Court: Rebecca Kouts (Greensborough)
Best & Fairest: Nikita Price (Watsonia)
Star Shooter: Samantha Hyman (Heat) 88 goals
Division 11: Hazel Glen 3 (27) def Bundoora 7 (11)
By Casey McGuire
A seventh straight win for top of the table Hazel Glen 3 would secure the Division 11 flag, with a comfortable victory over Bundoora 7. After trailing by eight goals in the first quarter, the Bulls showcased their most promising effort in the second and third terms, ensuring the eight-goal margin was intact approaching the last quarter. But an 8-0 final term ensured the premiership would belong to Hazel Glen. There was no way of stopping best on court medal recipient Sienna Beddoe as she was able to win the ball on multiple occasions and generate strong transitions for her attackers.
Best on Court: Sienna Beddoe (Hazel Glen)
Best & Fairest: Charlotte Loy (Greensborough)
Star Shooter: Chloe Crapper (West Preston-Lakeside) 97 goals
Division 12: Kilmore 10 (30) def Bundoora 9 (17)
Big second and third quarters helped propel Kilmore 10 to the Division 12 premiership over Bundoora 9. A tight contest early saw the Blues take a one-goal quarter time lead, before their effort went up a notch during the next two terms as they combined for 19 goals and extended their advantage out to 11 goals. The minor premiers would also win the final term ahead of an eventual 13-goal victory. Competition best and fairest Donna Axton was superb for Kilmore as was teammate Jordyn Dow who scored 20 goals. Bianca Costanzo’s defensive efforts saw her standout for Bundoora and also win her the best on court medal.
Best on Court: Bianca Costanzo (Bundoora)
Best & Fairest: Donna Axton (Kilmore) and Monique Costanzo (Bundoora)
Star Shooter: Monique Costanzo (Bundoora) 118 goals
Division 13: Hazel Glen 5 (18) def by Kilmore 9 (21)
By Casey McGuire
Kilmore 9 produced one of their best games of the season to defeat Hazel Glen 5 by three goals in a terrific contest. Whilst the game was tight throughout, the top of the ladder Glen would get an early two-goal advantage by quarter time and maintain it across the next two terms. However, the Blues’ pressure never wavered and with over four minutes remaining in the decider, Kilmore would hit the lead for the first time all night and go on to prevail. Slick shooting from Olivia Healey (nine goals) and Ruby Hudson (15) was exactly what the Blues needed to boost their confidence in the last quarter. The best on court medal went to Tahlia Myers, who was phenomenal in both attack and defence for Hazel Glen.
Best on Court: Tahlia Myers (Hazel Glen)
Best & Fairest: Breanna Harvey (South Morang) & Emily Johnson (Hurstbridge)
Star Shooter: Olivia Healy (Kilmore) 105 goals
17 & Under: Diamond Creek (22) def by Fitzroy Stars (26)
The Fitzroy Stars claimed the first NFNL 17 & Under netball premiership in terrific style, after defeating Diamond Creek by four goals in the Grand Final. The Stars got out of the blocks well with a blistering 7-2 opening term, before an eight-goal second quarter saw their lead increase to seven by half time. The Creekers would put their best foot forward in the third term with an eight-goal period of their own, and despite pushing their opponents right to the final whistle, the Stars were able to hold on to victory. Stars centre Shianne Bamblett was the deserving best on court medalist.
Best on Court: Shianne Bamblett (Fitzroy Stars)
Best & Fairest: Mila David (Fitzroy Stars)
Star Shooter: Maggie Elliott-Pouge (Diamond Creek) 102 goals
