ZOE ASKEW
NETBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
BY ZOE ASKEW
THREE strikes and Sale is out.
Sale Football-Netball Club and Traralgon FNC boasted teams in all three junior netball competitions in the 2022 Gippsland League Grand Finals.
By lunchtime, the Maroons had clipped the Magpies’ wings, claiming the 13s, 15s and 17s premiership cups.
Under 13
THE first game played at Ted Summerton Reserve on Saturday saw Sale meet Traralgon in the 13 and Under Grand Final.
The whistle sounded as the clock read 8.30am, and in four quarters, the Maroons would be the early bird to get the worm, defeating the Magpies 26 to 23.
Sale started strongly, swooping in with a powerful first quarter.
Magpies centre Maizy Duck put forward an exceptional performance in the midcourt, exhibiting impressive agility and unwavering perseverance.
Goal-attack Lily Carmody showcased her explosive strength by getting hands-on rebounds, and goal shooter Mackenzie Lett boasted her exceptional shooting accuracy.
Traralgon drew strength from goal defender Marley Alimpic, whose presence in the shooting ring was nothing short of dominating.
Despite the Maroons’ tenacious defence, the Magpies seized a four-point lead as the teams entered the second quarter.
Sale remained the dominant side throughout the second, heading into halftime with a five-point lead 16 to 11.
The Maroons hit the court with a tremendous ferocity in the third quarter, completely blindsiding the Magpies, who began to make mistake after mistake, missing shot after shot.
Traralgon’s goal attack Ella Bigham and goal shooter Emily Traill exhibited a fantastic partnership in the shooting ring, sinking goal after goal and evening the score 19 to 19 by the end of the third.
Returning to the court for the fourth and final quarter, Sale recomposed themselves following an average performance, but Traralgon continued to lift, and it was too little, too late for the Magpies.
In a cracking second half from the Maroons, they claimed the premiership, defeating Sale in a vacillating game of netball, 26 to 23.
Following an emotional speech from Sale FNC Under 13s coach Kara Wheeler, Traralgon coach Lisa Bigham commended Sale on their 2022 season achievements.
“Wow, what a game; Sale, you have been our number-one fierce competitor all year,” Bigham said.
“Maizy [Duck], Ash [Reid] and Lily [Carmody], you had an amazing game, you are three very talented young players, and you should be so proud of your performance today.
“To my girls, you worked so hard, and I am so proud of you,” she said.
“In order to be the best, you have to beat the best, and we did that today; well done.”
Under 15
THANK you, next: age group anyway, team colours remained the same in the next bout.
Sale and Traralgon’s Under 15 girls stepped onto the blue asphalt court at Moe FNC prepared for the fight of their lives.
It has been a tight competition between Gippsland League’s top three Under 15s teams this year, with Traralgon finishing top of the ladder, Sale coming in second, and Maffra third, with very little separating the three.
In keeping with a tight competition, scores were tied seven-all as the Magpies and Maroons ended the first quarter.
Both sides harboured impressive young netballers, with Traralgon’s goal attack Mica Nightingale showcasing remarkable shooting accuracy and a dominating presence in the shooting ring, moving well with Maroons’ goal shooter Grace Van Tilburg.
Sale maintained exemplary composure throughout the first quarter, boasting attractive fluidity in their on-court movement across every third.
Traralgon’s tenacious defenders snatched most of the rebounds in the game’s opening minutes. But when Sale’s Mia Ballinger snapped into gear, demonstrating persistent grit and strong hands in the Magpies’ shooting ring, she sure gave the Maroons’ defenders a run for their money.
The second quarter highlighted differences in the Magpies’ and Maroons’ playing styles; Traralgon put forward a much more physical, aggressive game while Sale made wiser moves and drew strength from their unparalleled accuracy.
Sale goalkeeper Caitlyn Reid and goal defence Jazz Anstee delivered a spectacular performance in the second quarter, along with outstanding performances from Traralgon’s centre Morgan Adams.
The Magpies entered the third with a one-point lead, scoring five goals in a row in the quarter’s opening minutes.
Gerrand and Bellinger had a cracker of a quarter for the Magpies, while Nightingale and Traralgon goal defence Indiana De Dios made tremendous impacts for the Maroons.
By the end of the third, Sale dropped their composure. Traralgon capitalised on the Magpies’ mistake, regaining control of the game and reducing Sale’s lead.
Just two points separated teams at the start of the final quarter: Sale 23, Traralgon 21.
The Maroons were quick to even the score in the opening minutes of the fourth.
Teams were relentless, with every player putting their heart and soles into every pass, jump, run and throw throughout the quarter.
Sale took the lead, Traralgon took the lead, Sale, Traralgon, Sale, Traralgon.
No more than two goals separated teams for the entirely of the final quarter; a truly spectacular game of netball from both sides, but it was Traralgon who gripped the lead at the final whistle blow.
The final score: Traralgon 30, Sale 28.
Traralgon Under 15s coach Tracey Gaudion thanked the Gippsland League for putting on an incredible final series and the Maroons supporters for their enduring support.
“It could have been anyone’s game, a great contest and great game to watch” said Gaudion.
“It was a bit ugly at times but a great game nonetheless.”
Under 17
TRARALGON’S Maroons met Sale’s undefeated Magpies for the final instalment of junior netball in the 2022 Gippsland League Grand Final.
Despite Sale’s stellar year, boasting favourite status as they headed into the grand final, the Maroons dug deep and after four combative quarters, dethroned the Magpies of their undefeated status, taking home the 2022 Gippsland League premiership cup.
Teams advertised fundamental strength in the midcourt through their centre players. Sale’s Isla McCarthy and Traralgon’s Montana Styles.
The Maroons goal attack and goal shooter, Asha Nightingale and Emma Farley, were a dangerous combination in the shooting ring, possessing fantastic collaboration and relentless determination.
Nightingale, who would be voted best on court at game’s end, was unstoppable.
Literally.
If the Maroon’s goal attack got her hands on the ball, a goal was
sure to follow.
The beautiful sunny morning that kissed the grounds of Moe FNC in a dazzling golden glow quickly disappeared by rolling black clouds, and the wind began to rip across the court as the first quarter came to an end.
Traralgon gripped a one-point lead, 7 to 6.
Sale goal shooter Kate Van der Voot demonstrated her fine-tuned accuracy in the second.
Traralgon’s workhorse wing attack Amali Adams implemented unwavering vigour kindly pairing with her athletic mobility, making one hell of a headache for the Magpie’s defence.
The Magpies also boasted strength at wing attack through Hannah Abdalla.
Traralgon and Sale were neck and neck, both teams scoring a whopping 12 goals in the second quarter.
Fast forward to the end of the third quarter and the Maroons had broken away. Traralgon headed into the final quarter with a seven-point lead over Sale, 30 to 23.
The crowd bellowed as teams fought tooth and nail for the 2022 premiership cup.
Sale was the first to score, but the Maroons wouldn’t have that, Nightingale retaliating with three consecutive goals.
Maroons supporters boomed, and cheers oscillated across the grounds, turning football spectators’ heads in curiosity, possibly even bewilderment.
This season has indeed tautened some vociferous crowds.
Van der Voot performed spectacularly for the Magpies in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough to level out the Maroons’ advancements.
Tick, tick, goal. Tick, tick, goal.
Traralgon was relentless as the minutes melted away, and Nightingale was unstoppable, hitting shot, after shot, after shot.
The Magpies’ hearts sank as the final whistle sounded; the scoreboard read
42 to 31.
The Maroons seized victory and title as Gippsland Leagues’ Under 17s elite.
