NETBALL
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
Gippsland League
ONE round remains in Gippsland League netball, and with the results that transpired at the weekend, things have well and truly shaped into what will be a thoroughly entertaining finals series.
Moe didn’t find it easy hosting Warragul, winning narrowly 54 to 51 in a top-three clash.
The reigning premiers were tried and tested early, as the Guls led 18-11 at quarter time.
That Warragul dominance continued through the second quarter, and the visitors led 30-21 by halftime.
Moe, not wanting to give any glimmer of hope to their fellow contenders to lose top spot on the ladder, locked in and returned to the unstoppable force seen in near all stages of the season.
The Lions limited Warragul’s scoring, and pushed the ball their way of the court every time possible to shrink the Gulls’ lead to four goals in time for the final quarter of action.
Moe knew what they needed to do to conclude, given their success through the third quarter, continuing to tighten defensively which lessened the stress on their attackers as compared to the difficulties Warragul was faced with at the other end.
The Lions held on to win by three goals after a forceful 16-9 final quarter.
It was a shootout between Moe’s Ramayer Gourley (45 goals) and Warragul’s Emma Ryde (48), with the latter surely locking in the league-leading goal scoring, nearing 800 goals for the year.
Moe secured the minor premiership, and Warragul sit idly in third position.
Morwell defeated Sale 50-28 at Morwell Recreation Reserve.
Both sides, out of the finals race, simply looked to see out each of their seasons with some positive signs to build off on.
Morwell, sitting closer to their above opposition on the ladder than that of the Magpies, still found it difficult to begin, as a hard, defensive-minded quarter took place, finishing with the Tigers ahead 11-7.
While Sale was still building themselves into the game at least scoring wise, Morwell continued with what they left off with, and extended their lead 25-16 by the halftime break.
If those watching thought anything would change to open the second half, they thought wrong.
The Tigers held Sale to just four goals while adding a further 13 themselves that kept any notion of a comeback unlikely.
Sale finished strong, limiting Morwell where they could, but still lost the final term 12-8.
Morwell’s Tiffany Boatman and Isabella Bettridge shot 22 and 21 goals respectively, while Sale’s Kate Van der Voort finished with 24.
Looking to secure their place in finals, Traralgon was never going to be an easy beat anyway, and over in Maffra the Maroons got it done in the end, 52-40 over the Eagles.
Despite facing a winless season, Maffra came out of the gate strong and matched Traralgon at every beat that concluded the opening quarter tied 14-all.
The Maroons began to see little separation during the second term, as the deficiencies of the Eagles appeared as Traralgon led by three goals to conclude the first half.
The Maroons doubled the Eagles score through the third term to push their lead out to a 10-goal margin that was unlikely to be overcome.
Chloe Felsbourg (Maffra) and Cassidy Smith (Traralgon) both tallied 29 goals for their respective sides, however Smith was accompanied by better scoring support from the likes of Grace Van Tillburg (13) and Sophie Lecchino (10).
Traralgon, with one game remaining against rival Morwell, look certain to remain in fourth position in time for finals that will see them face the likes of Wonthaggi or possibly Bairnsdale in the Elimination Final.
Bairnsdale did numbers to improve their chances of playing finals in 2024 by fending off neighbouring finals-contender Leongatha, 50-44.
Leongatha, with the loss, are now destined to miss finals, but will look to finish the season strongly against Drouin at home this weekend.
The Hawks cemented a top-two finish at the weekend after defeating Wonthaggi, 61-43.
The Power still cling to fifth spot to remain inside a finals position, but will find it tough against readied minor premiers Moe this weekend.
Mid Gippsland
FINALS time for many clubs awaits following the conclusion of the Mid Gippsland netball regular season.
Fish Creek got by Mirboo North, 49-46 to continue a strong stretch of form.
The Kangaroos finished in second position on the ladder ahead of finals and will be gifted to a week off.
The Tigers held onto sixth position to face a strong opponent, Morwell East at Toora in the Elimination Final.
The Hawks did everything they possibly could to secure a double chance in finals after smashing Thorpdale, 101-19.
Morwell East missed out on second place by two premiership points to Fish Creek.
Yinnar secured the minor premiership after a 66-13 win over Stony Creek.
Thirteen wins and two losses bested Fish Creek by percentage.
Newborough concluded their season the best they could in a 57-48 victory over Toora.
The Bulldogs finished two wins back of the top six and spoilt the Magpies chances of a late finals push.
Foster defeated MDU, 61-39 in a pre-finals matchup.
A replay will take shape this weekend, with the Demons aiming for redemption, finishing ahead on the ladder.
Boolarra and Tarwin had the bye.
North Gippsland
ROUND 18 of North Gippsland netball concluded at the weekend.
Heyfield and Traralgon Tyers United ended in a draw, 52-all as both position themselves in the best possible way ahead of each of their finals campaigns.
Heyfield finished third with 11 wins, and await a matchup against a fierce Churchill outfit at George Bates Reserve, Yallourn North.
TTU squeezed into fifth position, six premiership points ahead of sixth-placed Rosedale, and prepare to face Woodside on Sunday at Rosedale.
The Cougars are ready for finals after defeating Cowwarr, 62-32.
Sale City finished the home-and-away season undefeated after demolishing Gormandale, 75-24.
At 16 wins already, the Bulldogs will have the week off in the first week of finals.
Woodside continued their phenomenal stretch of form after defeating Glengarry, 63-46 away.
The Wildcats narrowly missed out on a double chance, tied with Heyfield but below by under three percentage points.
Nothing was on the line in the final Round 18 match, as Yallourn Yallourn North finished their season on a high note, securing their fourth win for the year against winless Yarram, 58-21.
Rosedale had the bye.
