NETBALL
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
WHILE most leagues locally wrapped up its home-and-away season and now prepare for an exciting finals campaign, Gippsland League still remains one regular round before the action begins.
Anticipated to be the grand final showdown for the second year running in a number of weeks, Moe and Warragul got one final hit-out against each other before the postseason.
The Lions continue to be undeniable in their chase for a record-breaking third consecutive A Grade premiership, defeating the Gulls, 65 to 62 at Western Park in Round 17.
On their home court, Warragul hit the ground running to jump ahead of the reigning premier by four goals at the end of the opening quarter.
Moe responded, as they usually do, with a 21 goals to 14 second term to flip the script and lead by three goals at halftime.
The Lions continued at a similar pace to where they were at the end of the first half, outscoring the Gulls 19-12 in the third quarter to increase the margin to double digits.
This gave Moe the necessary space to hold off their closest rivals, but Warragul persevered with a valiant fourth quarter effort to bring the deficit to only a minor one by the time the final whistle blew.
Ramayer Keilty returned to her defensive post after a few weeks at the attacking end of the court and produced a best-on-court performance, while Ashlea Mawer led the scoring charge for the Lions with 46 goals and Jordan Pyle played well also.
Ella Rees, Renee Cook, and Sienna Green all performed admirably for Warragul, with scoring machine Emma Ryde adding 50 goals.
Morwell continue to be in the premiership mix as a top three side of the competition, taking down Sale comfortably, 71-34 at Morwell Recreation Reserve.
The Tigers inflicted all their damage on the Magpies in the opening term, creating a 17-goal lead at the first break already.
Riding a wave the rest of the way through, Morwell only produced less than double digit quarter just once.
Chloe Radford was best for the Tigers through centre court, while veteran Courtney Garth and shooter Holly Stephens (40 goals) stood tall.
Stephens, alongside Morwell teammate Anna Solomon, were recently announced as the leaders of the Victorian First Nations state team for 2025.
Solomon was instated as captain, while Stephens was chosen as vice-skipper.
Traralgon secured another gritty, late season victory over Bairnsdale, 57-52 at Traralgon Showgrounds.
Nothing could separate either side through to halftime, until the Maroons capitalised on a few more chances in the third term to lead by four goals with a quarter spare.
Despite the best efforts of the Redlegs, Traralgon continued to build all the way through to the end of the match.
Montanna Styles was again exceptional for the Maroons, followed by Sophie Lecchino and Kasey Guttridge.
Even though Traralgon won’t play finals this season, the win will prove substantial as the side develops steadily in the years ahead and considering they’ve just defeated a finals contender.
Other results included Leongatha taking out Wonthaggi, 53-33 at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve, and Drouin annihilating Maffra, 85-28 at Maffra Recreation Reserve.
EVEN though the top six had been set in stone for a number of weeks at this point, Round 18 of Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League still produced some thrillers.
A top of the ladder clash between first-placed Foster and right below Fish Creek went the way of the Kangaroos, 37-31 at Foster Recreation Reserve.
The Tigers still claimed the minor premiership, but a late win could be back of mind the next time the two sides match up, potentially on grand final day.
Both teams have the week off while the elimination final rounds get underway, before they take on each other again in the qualifying final at Stony Creek.
Yinnar finished off the home-and-away season with two straight wins after a decent blip in the backend of the year.
The Magpies took down Thorpdale comfortably, 84-16 at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve.
Finishing third on the ladder, Yinnar now take on sixth-placed Toora in the elimination final this Saturday at Meeniyan Recreation Reserve.
The last time they matched up against each other was in Round 2 when Yinnar were easy victors, 57-26.
Mirboo North claimed another win a week out of finals, taking down Boolarra, 59-25 at Mirboo North Recreation Reserve.
The Tigers finished a game clear for fourth, and now take on Meeniyan Dumbalk United in the Sunday elimination final at Terrill Park, Fish Creek.
The Demons travelled to Mirboo North in Round 10 and won by three goals.
MDU also drew with Tarwin at the weekend, 39-all at home, but didn’t affect their ladder positioning.
Other local Latrobe Valley sides were able to clench wins in the last week of the season, despite not featuring in finals.
Morwell East defeated Stony Creek by two goals at Ronald Reserve, while Newborough dismantled Hill End, 65-37 at Northern Reserve.
Toora had the bye.
IT sure did come down to the wire.
The final round of home-and-away action in North Gippsland FNL determined if teams were going to keep their season’s alive or not.
While Gormandale had already locked in their first finals berth since 2014 the week prior against Glengarry, the Tigers ended Woodside’s chances of extending their season, defeating the Wildcats by six goals at Gormandale Recreation Reserve.
After Traralgon Tyers United picked up a tough away victory over Yallourn Yallourn North, 43-33 at George Bates Reserve, and Heyfield passed Glengarry, 56-38 at Gordon Street Reserve, Woodside’s year ended after sitting in the top five a majority of the year.
The results now pit the Bombers and the Kangaroos in the elimination final this Sunday at Glengarry Recreation Reserve.
In Round 9, TTU were able to get by Heyfield, 45-40 at Tyers Recreation Reserve during a dry patch for the Kangaroos.
With Sale City taking down Rosedale, 38-27 at Stephenson Park, the Bulldogs now play Gormandale in the qualifying final at George Bates Reserve this Saturday, pushing each side one step closer to the grand final.
Churchill surely would have been happy that they were able to pick up one extra win throughout the season, as despite claiming the minor premiership, the Cougars could have been in danger with one less victory in the final round and not being able to play considering their fixture had them matched against Yarram, who didn’t feature this season.
Cowwarr had the bye.
MGFNL Finals – Week 1
Elimination Finals
Meeniyan Recreation Reserve – Saturday, August 23
A Grade: Yinnar v Toora
B Grade: Yinnar v Toora
C Grade: Foster v MDU
D Grade: Toora v Newborough
17 and Under: Mirboo North v Hill End
15 and Under: Hill End v Newborough
13 and Under: Tarwin v Mirboo North
Terrill Park, Fish Creek – Sunday, August 24
A Grade: Mirboo North v MDU
B Grade: Newborough v Mirboo North
C Grade: Boolarra v Fish Creek
D Grade: Tarwin v Fish Creek
17 and Under: Yinnar v Toora
15 and Under: Boolarra v Foster
13 and Under: Boolarra v Fish Creek
NGFNL Finals – Week 1
Qualifying Final
George Bates Reserve, Yallourn North – Saturday, August 23
A Grade: Sale City v Gormandale
B Grade: Woodside v Heyfield
C Grade: Rosedale v TTU
D Grade: TTU v Gormandale
17 and Under: TTU v Heyfield
15 and Under: Woodside v Rosedale
Elimination Final
Glengarry Recreation Reserve – Sunday, August 24
A Grade: TTU v Heyfield
B Grade: Rosedale v YYN
C Grade: Sale City v Heyfield
D Grade: Churchill v Woodside
17 and Under: Rosedale v Glengarry
15 and Under: TTU v Glengarry
