NETBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
By ERIKA ALLEN
CHURCHILL is the back-to-back North Gippsland Football-Netball League A Grade netball premier.
The Cougars were poised, accurate and relentless as they chased a second premiership in as many years, with the intense pressure applied across the first three quarters ultimately securing their goal as they defeated Sale City by 20 goals at Traralgon Showgrounds on Saturday.
With a match-high 34 goals, Churchill goal shooter Cassandra Wass was the star of the grand final.
There is much to be said for the power of poise in a fast-paced netball game with everything on the line, and Wass provided both the composure to sink goals during intense moments and lift her teammates, and the steady accuracy that helped the Cougars pull away on the scoreboard.
The Cougars’ quarter-by-quarter shooting tally was 12 goals in the first term, followed by a 15-goal haul in the second, 11 in the third and a 17-goal final quarter to cement victory.
As the match began, Sale City had their noses in front off the back of early turnovers. Madeleine Rodwell drove out of the shooting circle to receive fast passes from midcourter Chai Murrin, as the Sale City goal shooter and goal attack, Charlotte Ronchi, traded goals to open up a four-goal lead.
But momentum shifted to the Cougars in the final five minutes, as Churchill came from three goals behind to lead 12-9 into the second period.
As Wass and goal attack Skye McDonald (21 goals) got to work in attack, Courtney Stevens-Risol and Samantha Mann created opportunities for them by producing turnovers in defence.
Matched against the experienced Sale City Ronchi-Rodwell premiership duo, Stevens-Risol (goal defence) and Mann (goalkeeper) put together four strong defensive quarters to shut down the key shooters and transition the Cougars from defence to attack.
Momentum continued to ebb and flow between the sides, but the Cougars opened up a six-goal lead at halftime.
Churchill playing-coach Rachael Kearns in centre position and wing attack Emily Lugton were crucial space creators in the midcourt. Both were relentless in driving into space and opening up the goal third to make the most of defensive turnovers.
Churchill continued piling on pressure in the third term. Mann used her height to pluck rebounds, while McDonald kept Sale City’s defensive pair Simone Turner and Molly Firth guessing with a series of fake passes before finding Wass or putting the ball in the ring herself.
The Cougars remained in control at three-quarter-time, leading 38-29.
Wass opened the final term with a goal from Churchill’s centre pass before converting again after a turnover. The ever-smiling McDonald added the Cougars’ third of the quarter before Ronchi got the Bulldogs’ first goal of the final quarter.
A teetering ball then mocked Ronchi, denying what could have been a second consecutive goal, but Mann was on hand to claim the rebound for Churchill.
By then, the Cougars could breathe easier. Their lead had grown too great for even Sale City’s formidable outfit to overcome, as the Cougars closed out a 20-goal victory.
Churchill has now contested three of the last four North Gippsland premierships; the Cougars defeated the Bulldogs by two goals last year, while Woodside defeated them in 2023.
The team returned to the courts this year and finished second overall before completing a clean finals campaign. The Cougars defeated Sale City in the qualifying final before overcoming minor premier Traralgon Tyers United by three goals in the semi-final to qualify for the grand final. Churchill then came and conquered the grand final, completing its back-to-back premiership in style with a 55-35 victory.
Sale City had a better time in B Grade, defeating Rosedale 44-35.
Heyfield won C Grade, beating the Blues 36-29, while TTU triumphed in D Grade, 43-27 over Woodside.
TTU won both junior flags. The Bombers were too strong in 17 and under, winning 44-36 against Sale City. TTU defeated the same opponent 41-39 in 15 and under.
