NETBALL
VNL
By TOM HAYES
THE Victorian Netball League hosted its Grand Final last week on the night of Wednesday, August 7.
In action was Moe product Olivia Barnett, who was playing out of goal keeper for the Hawks Netball in the under 23 division.
Barnett plays for Gippsland League-side Moe week to week. The Gippsland League had a bye at the weekend, so fresh off the back of the VNL Grand Final, Barnett lined up for Rosedale against Woodside in the North Gippsland FNL.
The Hawks were coming up against North East Blaze in the Grand Final, the first and third-rated sides respectively.
The Blaze got the jump on the Hawks, quickly bursting out to a 6-2 lead, before the Hawks crept their way back into the game with the next seven goals. Hawks Netball closed out the first quarter just one point to the good.
The Blaze weren’t going anywhere in the second quarter, and the Hawks were missing important shorts consecutively.
Scores were tied with two minutes left in the half, before the Blaze made two shots to one to lead at the half.
The third quarter was a telling one, and one the ultimately decided the game.
North East just couldn’t get any shots up. In return, the Hawks began to score, and open up a lead.
Halfway through the third quarter, the Hawks found themselves ahead by five points, and by the end of the quarter, they had an eight-point buffer.
In the last quarter, the Hawks were able to keep the Blaze at bay, disallowing them to get anywhere near them whatsoever.
The Hawks closed out the Grand Final with 11 points separating the two sides, winning 51-40.
Moe’s Barnett was named as the Grand Final MVP in the win, forcing multiple turnovers, intercepting their attacks single-handedly.
The Hawks held their awards night recently, and Barnett cleaned up again winning the Hawks MVP and Player of the Finals.
Hawks Netball won the inaugural under 23 VNL Grand Final. Gippsland Stars competed in the division, coming last out of 12 teams.
