NETBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

THE real stuff has arrived.

Both Mid Gippsland and North Gippsland leagues opened their finals window at the weekend, with all teams going at it to reach the ultimate prize.

Yinnar made sure their redemptive season lived on, defeating Toora in the first elimination final, 48 to 37 at Meeniyan Recreation Reserve.

After a difficult patch midway through the season, the Magpies of Yinnar rebounded to win their final three games of the home-and-away season to get back into form.

Last year’s minor premier opened up against Toora during the second quarter, after the opening stand was of significant low scoring.

A 16-10 second term led Yinnar ahead by double digits, giving them the necessary distance to hold on if Toora was to mount a comeback.

Yinnar extended its lead with the first four goals of the third quarter, pushing the margin to 15 goals, and ultimately scored 10 of the first 13 goals of the term.

Toora converted on the final six goals to three quarter time, but Yinnar responded firmly to keep the lead.

Patty McInnes nailed 35 goals for Yinnar, with Claire Thorburn adding 10.

Hannah Weston (21) and Tayah Jenkins (16) combined for all of Toora’s score.

A slightly higher scoring game played out on Sunday in the second elimination final.

Meeniyan Dumbalk United took down Mirboo North, 60-54.

With each of their seasons on the line, the Demons opened with a 6-2 run from Alahna Arnason and Lillyca White, but the Tigers quickly replied to take back the lead.

Mirboo North held the lead at quarter time, and the game went back-and-forth deep into the second term.

An 8-3 run to conclude the first half saw MDU jump in front to lead by five goals.

The Tigers responded with a quick run returning from the main break, bringing the margin back to three goals.

After a back-and-forth few minutes, the Demons managed to string together multiple unanswered scores to enter three quarter time up by seven goals.

While Mirboo North tried their best, the efforts of MDU’s attack was too much to handle, and the Demons held strong.

Arnason added a game-high 48 goals alongside 12 from White, while the Tigers’ Jessica Holland led her team with 35.

Yinnar now plays MDU in the first semi-final this Sunday at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve, while top-placed sides Foster and Fish Creek do battle on Saturday at Stony Creek Recreation Area for a spot in the Grand Final.

 

TWO heated contested took centre stage in North Gippsland.

Sale City and Gormandale opened on Saturday for the Qualifying Final, with the Bulldogs getting the job done, 47-42 at George Bates Reserve, Yallourn North.

In a polar opposite road to finals, Sale City is eyeing back-to-back premierships, having consistently played postseason games, while Gormandale returned to finals for the first time since 2014.

Nerves may have played a part in a slow start, with the more experienced Bulldogs scoring the opening six goals of the game.

That had the Tigers chasing tail the rest of the first quarter, with Sale City leading 13-7 at the first break.

Gormandale’s star shooter Maddy Dark added the first two goals of the second term, but the Bulldogs responded with a 5-1 run.

The Tigers did well to answer at every point the rest of the first half, including a 3-1 run to conclude down six goals.

Returning from the main break, Dark again rose to the occasion, as Gormandale scored five of the first six goals to get back within three.

Sale City’s Charlotte Ronchi and Madeleine Rodwell practically went shot-for-shot against Dark the rest of the third term, with the Bulldogs lead by four goals.

Gormandale had grand support in their corner and were very vocal all game long, getting even louder as the Tigers got within a goal in the opening minute of the last quarter.

The Bulldogs knew they needed to knuckle down, and did so, going on a 7-2 run in the next eight minutes.

A six-goal edge was all that was necessary to see Sale City survive.

Ronchi added 34 goals alongside Rodwell (12), while Dark dominated with 37 for Gormandale.

The Bulldogs now play minor premier Churchill in the second semi-final on Saturday at Woodside Recreation Reserve.

After a long season filled with doubt if they’d even make it to the finals, Heyfield knocked Traralgon Tyers United out of the postseason in a 47-45 thriller at Glengarry Recreation Reserve.

The Bombers opened strongly after sustaining the first three goals to the Kangaroos, with TTU leading by a goal at the first break.

Heyfield responded as play resumed with five of the first seven goals of the second quarter, but the Bombers were unfazed.

Despite trailing with two minutes to go in the opening half, TTU rallied with six of the final seven goals to lead 22-20 at the main break.

The third quarter was as close as can be, with neither side managing to break the deadlock and lead by no more than a goal either way.

The Bombers entered the final turn with a one goal lead, and looked even more confident of extending their season as they scored the opening three goals of the fourth.

Heyfield responded with four of the next five goals to get the margin back to a goal, giving them the necessary momentum to roll on through.

Phoebe Richardson and Chloe Jones shot the lights out when it mattered most to seal a last minute victory for the Kangaroos.

Richardson led the game with 32 goals, while TTU’s Maleah Travers added 31.

Heyfield now play Gormandale in the first semifinal at Rosedale Recreation Reserve on Sunday.

 

IN the final round of the Gippsland League, little changed ahead of finals action.

Moe decimated Wonthaggi at Ted Summerton Reserve, 108-20, with the Lions already locking in the minor premiership.

Ashlea Mawer dominated with 78 goals in a game where the Power were disallowed from any more than nine goals in any quarter.

Morwell was made to work when travelling to Bairnsdale, victorious 40-35.

The Tigers held a minor two-goal lead after the first quarter, but began to slowly chip ahead as the game went further along.

Despite the Redlegs outscoring Morwell in the final term, the visitors did enough to hold on.

The Tigers had an all-around scoring outfit featuring Erin Barlow who came up for her A Grade debut with 17 goals, Isabella Bettridge (13) and Claire Marks (10).

While not playing finals this season, Traralgon finished its season strongly with three straight wins, with their last one coming against Sale, 65-41 at Sale Oval.

The Maroons were at their best from start to finish, outscoring the Magpies at every turn.

Emma White scored 41 goals, followed by Sophie Lecchino (24).

Other results included; Leongatha defeating Maffra, 78-32 at Leongatha Recreation Reserve, and Warragul besting Drouin in the Western Derby, 71-46 at Drouin Recreation Reserve.

Gippsland League finals begin this weekend with Warragul taking on Morwell in the Qualifying Final at Maffra Recreation Reserve, while Drouin plays Bairnsdale in the Elimination Final on Sunday at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve.