NETBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
North Gippsland
Sale City 36 def TTU 35
A REMATCH will be seen in the North Gippsland Football-Netball A Grade grand final, after Sale City defeated minor premier Traralgon Tyers United by a single goal, 36-35, in the preliminary final.
In a contest of ebbs and flows at Gaskin Park, Churchill, the Bulldogs held off TTU in the dying minutes to set up another grand final against Churchill this weekend.
The Bulldogs, who will now enter its third consecutive grand final (including the 2024 A Grade premiership), were slightly behind the Bombers in beginning a match of such high stakes.
Rachel Shaw and Danni Dunn were strong to open proceedings, getting to the front of the Sale City defenders and dropping in scores early.
Despite being dominant and confident throughout the initial stretch of the match, controlling possession and creating panic for the Bulldogs, Sale City was able to secure crucial goals in the backend of the first quarter to shrink the margin in time for the stoppage in play.
The momentum that the Bulldogs created was quelled by TTU in return, with the Dunn scoring on three consecutive tries to extend the Bombers’ lead to five goals through the first few minutes of the second quarter.
Each side continued to go back-and-forth with scores, before Sale City, through Madeleine Rodwell and Charlotte Ronchi, poured on seven straight goals to jump into a two goal lead.
While Shaw and Dunn were able to score minorly through to the end of the first half, the Bulldogs mounted 11 of the final 13 goals of the second quarter.
Halftime arrived with Sale City leading 21 to 17.
The pressure, which was once on the Bulldogs, had now been transferred over to TTU, who were desperate to respond in returning from the main break.
That effort from the Bombers proved indifferent to begin the third quarter, with Sale City negating any run from TTU, actually extending the margin to six goals through the same amount of time.
A switch was suddenly flicked, as the Bombers returned the intensity and poise in its attack that they showed in opening the match.
Shaw worked well into position, and was supported with fine passes from the likes of midcourter Samantha Cullis.
Cullis was determined to setup a grand final matchup against her former club Churchill in a week’s time, where she was a part of the Cougars’ 2025 A Grade flag.
Dunn began to join in, as TTU rallied with eight of the final 10 goals of the third term to tie the game up.
All or nothing at this point, each side was aware what was needed to win one additional quarter to book a ticket to the grand final.
Sale City was direct in its movement to open the final term, securing successive scores to create a two goal edge.
The lead extended further to four goals as the stamina on display from the Bulldogs was catching the Bombers’ midcourt and defensive players out.
Again withstanding any run from the Bombers, buying a few minutes off the clock, TTU suddenly again offered up a late rally.
Maleah Travers, who had been shuffled into goal attack, supported Dunn in goal shooter, finding the net on three consecutive goes to trail by just one goal with not more than a minute remaining.
With the ball in hand and fighting to keep it in their possession, Sale City was able to secure the win, clinching a goal through Rodwell after Ronchi fell to the ground in the attacking circle.
The Bombers scrambled, but after a few calls that didn’t go their way, Shaw could only put through a reply with less than 20 seconds remaining, seeing Sale City through in the dying instance.
Bulldogs centre Isla McCarthy was relentless all day, while Rodwell (19) and Ronchi (17) combined brilliantly to withstand the efforts of Dunn (15).
Despite the exceptional win, Churchill arrives as favourites in the grand final, having beaten Sale City on both occasions during the home-and-away year.
Mid Gippsland
Yinnar 39 def Fish Creek 37
YINNAR has returned to the big dance for the first time since its 2023 A Grade premiership.
The Magpies won the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League preliminary final over Fish Creek by a tight two goals to advance to the grand final against undefeated minor premier Foster.
A slow start was seen between both preliminary finalists at Foster Recreation Reserve.
After each side went back-and-forth through a tough opening stretch, with only eight goals seen in total throughout the first 10 minutest, Yinnar broke free slightly with four consecutive goals to the first break.
Shooters at opposing ends, Yinnar’s Patty McInnes and the Fish Creek combination of Audrey McGannon and Jessica Edgar, went to shot-for-shot to begin the second quarter.
The Kangaroos managed to create some separation in the middle of the term, but the Magpies responded and dug in to still hold a one goal lead come halftime.
Yinnar was desperate to distinguish themselves further as play resumed, and did so almost exclusively through Claire Thorburn.
The first-year A Grade player took control of the game with five goals through the opening stretch of the second half, helping the Magpies establish an equally as much lead.
The following few minutes played out in close quarters, with each side trading scores, as Yinnar arrived at three quarter time with a four goal lead.
Hitting its apex to begin the final term, each side rapidly went on the attack, and it was done through the key names.
Just as Edgar created an angle on her opponent and knocked in a shot for Fish Creek, McInnes on the other end responded with equal emphasis to tame the effort of Yinnar’s opposition.
Kangaroos Swiss Army knife Isabella Cocksedge cut the margin to three goals with equally as much time left, setting up a final few minutes of thrills for all involved and all watching on.
The ball was found in both team’s possession for an extended period of time, where neither attacking ends were able to break free of a tight defence.
McInnes was eventually found inside for Yinnar, putting in a tough and critical shot to extend the Magpies lead to an unassailable four goals.
While Fish Creek desperately and frantically tracked the ball and attempted to move into an attacking position, even scoring consecutive soon after, the clock turned out to be the Kangaroos’ biggest enemy.
Hollie Bugeja was a standout for Yinnar. She has returned to her home club after years spent with powerhouse Moe in the Gippsland League, part of the Lions’ three straight A Grade flags.
Bringing that premiership success back to the Magpies, where she was also a part of Yinnar’s 2019 A Grade flag, she proved to be the difference with steady and calm play when finding the ball.
The Mid Gippsland A Grade grand final now matches up the top two sides during the home-and-away season.
Foster has ran the table throughout the year, yet to succumb during its 2026 campaign.
Yinnar will need to be at its very best if they hope to take home the premiership cup, having lost to the Tigers on three occasions this season, including a fortnight ago in the second semi-final by 24 goals.
The Magpies will also feature in D Grade, Under 17 and Under 15 netball on grand final day.
Hill End has reached the grand final in B Grade and C Grade.
The achievement is much to their credit, as the Rovers have done the hard yards, struggling in its netball program in recent years and only returning an A Grade side in the last two seasons.
Gippsland League
Moe 72 def Drouin 67
Leongatha 35 def Bairnsdale 30
THE second week of Gippsland League netball finals featured some mouth-watering matchups between premiership fancies.
On the Saturday second semi-final (September 5) at Morwell Recreation Reserve, Moe advanced to its fourth consecutive A Grade grand final.
The Lions faced a formidable opponent hoping to knock them off their pedestal, with Drouin sitting idly all season long, but fell short in the September match losing 72 to 67.
The Hawks actually overtook Moe ladder-wise during the home-and-away season, with the Lions featuring a rotated side throughout the early and middle stages of the campaign.
In the final rounds, Moe began to replenish its premiership playing list however. This was also while Drouin lost star recruit Mwai Kumwenda, who was away on Commonwealth Games duties for a few weeks.
Both sides were at full strength come its matchup at the weekend, with the first half proving that little could separate them when at their best.
With indifferent weather throughout the day, the court was wet and slippery, requiring players to take extra caution while still attempting to fling the ball as quickly as possible to catch out either defence.
Virtually played at a deadlock throughout the first two quarters, where whenever one side scored a goal, the other responded equally as much.
Barely any runs were seen, but Drouin was a fraction more efficient at the post to lead by a goal at halftime.
Returning Moe player Emma McMillan was shuffled into goal keeper and began to play Kumwenda tightly, pushing her further and further away from the ring.
As the Hawks’ scoring output began to deplete, the Lions were out to press hard in attack and showcase that they weren’t about to roll over with a chance to continue their historic dominance.
The Moody sisters of playing-coach Alex and Georgia combined brilliantly, which allowed shooter Ash Mawer to get one-on-one with her direct opponent, Ebony Mumford.
As such, Mawer was damaging and the ultimately the difference in the third quarter, which saw Moe take back the lead heading into the final term.
Possessing a five goal lead through the early stages of the last quarter, Moe, the well oiled machine they are, proved to be too good to give that up.
The Lions failed to let their foot off the accelerator, finishing with a force knowing Drouin was in hot pursuit to the very end.
Mawer was as sharp as ever at the post, scoring a match-high 55 goals for Moe, while Georgia Moody chipped in with 17.
Alex Moody and Jordan Pyle in defence were also noted for the winners.
Kumwenda and Charlize Traumanis were significant contributors for Drouin with 42 and 25 goals respectively, with Ava Gaul and Reagan Joyce also playing well.
The Hawks will take on Leongatha in the preliminary final this weekend at Sale, after the Parrots defeated Bairnsdale in the first semi-final.
Playing on their home court at Leongatha Recreation Reserve, the Parrots locked in defensively to limit a Redlegs side that went out in straight sets after finishing clear third on the ladder.
Leongatha won by five goals in the end, 35-30, and return to its first preliminary final since 2023.
