NETBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT and TOM HAYES

 

Gippsland League

IN the final round of Gippsland League netball, the top five was set for finals action now ready to get underway.

Traralgon defeated Morwell to secure a finals berth in a dominant 46 to 28 outing.

The Maroons held the Tigers firmly to start, up 12-5 after the first quarter, but Morwell picked things up and made Traralgon work to conclude the first half.

Regardless, the Maroons still led by nine goals by the arrival of half time on their home court.

It only lifted for Traralgon as the game recommenced, holding the Tigers to just four goals as they jumped up to an insurmountable 14-goal lead in time for the final term.

The Maroons finished strongly and outscored their rivals across every term that culminated in a 12-8 fourth quarter conclusion.

It was extra special for Traralgon, who besides booking themselves a spot in the finals, celebrated Stacey Jacobsen’s 300th A Grade match.

Sophie Lecchino top-scored with 30 goals and was supported by Cassidy Smith (15) that combatted Claire Marks’ 16 goals for Morwell.

Moe smashed Wonthaggi’s hopes of a finals push, defeating the Power 57-33.

If the Power had of gotten on top of the Lions, they would have secured fifth position and kicked Bairnsdale out of the finals.

However, Moe jumped out to a 14-5 start after the first quarter that told the tale for how the game would play out.

The dominant reigning premier added a further 17 goals in the second term to equally lead by 17 come halftime in South Gippsland.

Wonthaggi tried to keep with the Lions, but in the end it was too big to recover from.

Moe’s Ramayer Gourley and Georgia Moody each finished with 28 goals.

At the conclusion of the home-and-away season, the Lions finished three games clear for first-place with just a draw their only blemish.

Bairnsdale downed Sale 42-29 to give the Redlegs an extended season.

Coming up against a second-bottom side, the result was almost certain, only by how much.

Anna Mooney (22 goals) and Sally Deller (20) were instrumental for the Redlegs, while Kate Van der Voort (23) did her best for Sale.

The Magpies finish with one win for the year, coming against Maffra.

That result locks in a matchup between Traralgon and Bairnsdale this Sunday, September 1 at Bairnsdale.

Warragul demolished Maffra to the tune of 57 goals, 87-30.

Finishing one win off second-place, the Gulls are ready to go far come finals time.

Emma Ryde ended the year 131 goals better than any other shooter in the Gippsland League.

Leongatha upset Drouin in a stalemate, 56-47.

The Hawks, who had ran the table with most sides (except Moe), would have felt like they could have had an easy finish to the home-and-away season, with the Parrots missing out on finals regardless of the result.

 

Mid Gippsland

ELIMINATION Finals headlined at the weekend for the Mid Gippsland Football Netball League, with some exceptional contest on the court.

Morwell East beat Mirboo North 53-47 out at Toora Recreation Reserve.

The Hawks narrowly missed out on a double chance during the finals series, with Fish Creek finishing two premiership points better by the end of the home-and-away season.

That now sets up a matchup between Morwell East and MDU after the Demons defeated Foster last Sunday at Willow Grove Recreation Reserve, 36-27.

The (elimination) Semi Final will be this Sunday at Yinnar Recreation Reserve.

Top-seeded clubs Yinnar and Fish Creek will battle it out on Saturday at Newborough, mirroring the senior football the same day.

 

North Gippsland

CHURCHILL and Heyfield started the A Grade finals off in fashion, with a thrilling game to decide the Qualifying Final at George Bates Reserve.

Heyfield had all of the momentum during the first half, but the Cougars didn’t allow them to extend their lead past four or five goals.

Churchill remained in close quarters, which was more than enough to give them a chance at pinching the lead back at the very last.

Heyfield looked to lock the game up when Churchill defender Stacey Yates was sin binned, leaving the second-placed side with one defender in the ring.

But somehow, Churchill kept the Kangaroos from entering for the most part, tying the scores once Yates returned.

The Cougars got their last shot up to take the lead in the dying seconds. Heyfield had one last chance to send the game into overtime, but missed out by a matter of seconds, with the siren sounding before they could get their shot away.

Churchill will play Sale City at Stephenson Park this weekend for a place in the Grand Final, following their 38-37 win.

Woodside took care of Traralgon Tyers United in the Elimination Final at Rosedale Recreation Reserve on Sunday.

The Wildcats, who finished fourth, looked the better of the two early, sending the margin over five goals as early as the first quarter.

But credit to the Bombers who kept Woodside accountable, eventually keeping the game close enough for a tight finish.

In the end, Woodside prevailed, 49-45, with TTU never really getting within three or four goals.

For the Bombers, they will return in 2025. As for Woodside, it’s still do-or-die this weekend in Glengarry when they play Heyfield.

The winner of this semi-final will play the loser of Sale City and Churchill.