NETBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
By ERIKA ALLEN
IT doesn’t get much better than winning a flag on your home court.
Churchill is the 2025 North Gippsland Football-Netball League A Grade premier.
The Cougars edged out reigning champion Sale City 35 to 33 in a thrilling Grand Final at Gaskin Park on Saturday.
The match pitted this season’s minor premier against last year’s flag winners in what became a fierce battle of champions.
Churchill had beaten Sale City twice already this season – in Round 9 by a single goal and again in the second semi-final, 32-29. But both contests proved how little separated the sides.
Saturday’s decider was no different.
Churchill’s Skye McDonald deservedly earned best-on-court honours, shooting a game-high 25 goals to lift the Cougars at crucial moments.
The charismatic goal attack fired up the crowd while encouraging her teammates – proof of the faith between teammates as they rallied around impressive performances throughout the game.
As the first bell echoed across the court, Sale City, minus injured midcourt star Indigo Waugh, got off to a sharp start.
Charlotte Ronchi and goal shooter Madeleine Rodwell converted goals cleanly off the back of quick feeds from captain Chai Murrin and centre Isla McCarthy.
The Bulldogs looked slick as they played their trademark lightning-fast game to take a narrow nine-to-eight goal lead at quarter time, as their conversions came more easily than Churchill’s.
The Cougars responded in the second quarter through calm finishing from goal attack McDonald, who nailed five of the first six goals.
With McDonald and goal shooter Samantha Cullis brimming with confidence, playing-coach Rachael Kearns orchestrated play from the top of the circle, feeding with precision.
The Cougars’ shooters combined from long range to shift momentum, and by halftime, they held a 20-17 lead.
Churchill extended their advantage in the third term with clean passages starting in defence.
Goal keeper Samantha Mann linked with Courtney Risol-Stevens and captain Emily Lugton to move the ball swiftly from defence through the midcourt.
At the other end, Cullis worked beautifully with Kearns off a feed in, split-stepping in front of Sale City defender Ciara Fitt and converting.
The Cougars pushed six goals clear and appeared to be in control.
But the Bulldogs were never going to lie down. With a little more than six minutes left in the third quarter, Cullis’ goal proved to be Churchill’s last for the term.
Rodwell stepped out of the circle to add another attacking option while Ronchi worked tirelessly for the front position against Risol-Stevens.
A perfectly struck long-range goal sparked a run of five unanswered goals for Sale City.
With Murrin producing a spectacular leaping save on the sideline to keep the ball alive, the Bulldogs clawed their way back to trail by just one goal, 26-25, at the final change.
Sale City drew level immediately in the last quarter through Ronchi, lifting the Bulldogs’ supporters at their scoring end. But Churchill broke the momentum.
McDonald worked around defender Simone Turner to receive bounce passes from wing attack Tayla Cheffers and Kearns.
The goal attack found space at the top of the circle and converted confidently. Another Ronchi goal tied the scores again at 27 apiece, but McDonald then stole the show.
The Churchill sharpshooter rattled off four unanswered goals, celebrating each conversion as the Cougars’ crowd roared.
Lugton, with a clutch turnover in defence, set up another scoring opportunity, and suddenly Churchill led by four with eight minutes to play.
Ronchi and Rodwell fought back, reducing the margin with composed conversions.
However, the Cougars used the clock cleverly as time ticked away, cycling possessions between their goal and centre thirds to control the tempo.
Sale City could not find another decisive turnover. Despite Rodwell netting in the final minute, it was Churchill that closed out the game, sealing a two-goal victory as jubilant players formed a tight huddle and supporters rushed to throw their arms around the squad.
For Sale City, Ronchi was outstanding in attack, adding to a brilliant season that saw her earn NGFNL A Grade Team of the Year honours, while defenders Fitt and Turner were relentless under pressure.
The Bulldogs’ premiership defence ended gallantly, but the day ultimately belonged to Churchill. The Cougars’ combination of calm shooting, defensive grit and timely turnovers ensured that the minor premiers finished the year as the 2025 premiers.
