NETBALL
NORTH GIPPSLAND
By ERIKA ALLEN
TRARALGON Tyers United won the first three North Gippsland netball grand finals on September 12.
The dream run began as the club’s 15-and-under side claimed the first flag of the day after defeating Sale City by the closest margin of any netball game, 41-39.
The team had previously accounted for Glengarry by eight goals in the preliminary final to earn the chance to upset the minor premier. From third overall to 2026 premiers, the Bombers achieved just that in style.
TTU was on the comeback kick after trailing by two goals at half-time.
The Bombers came alive in the third term, with Harper Kite and Evelyn Brady capitalising on the side’s strong defensive work. The pair could rely on capable feeds from Isla Hollands (centre) and Eve Farmer (wing attack), who helped deliver the ball into the shooting zone, where Kite and Brady combined for 12 goals.
Meanwhile, Sale City was restricted to just seven goals in the third term as the Bombers took the lead at the end of a quarter for the first time.
That lead proved crucial heading into the final term, when Sale City mounted a charge through league-leading goal scorer Indi Gieschen, who also topped the shooting tally in the grand final with 26 goals.
Sale City improved its goal tally from the third to score 10. But TTU could match them, maintaining their lead until the final bell.
The match umpires named Farmer as best player on court for her contribution in the midcourt.
TTU’s 17-and-under side arguably won the match of the day by defeating Sale City in extra time, 44-36.
It was another tale of the underdog defeating the favourite because Sale City had completed the 2026 season as the undefeated minor premier. TTU won through to the grand final by defeating Yallourn Yallourn North twice, first in the early qualifying final for the chance to play the Bulldogs in the semi-final – a match-up the Bombers lost by seven goals. The Bombers regrouped to record an emphatic preliminary final victory against YYN, 40-25, on their journey to the grand final.
In a contest full of momentum swings, the grand final result was still undecided after four quarters, forcing 10 minutes of extra time at Traralgon Recreation Reserve.
With 31 goals apiece, the draw set up two five-minute halves, with opposing chants from the supporters providing a backdrop to the teams’ strategy meetings.
TTU started the extra time with possession and quickly seized the momentum, as Mia Hollands (22 goals) converted before an intercept at the next centre pass gave her the opportunity to put the Bombers two goals ahead. That lead turned into four goals as Hollands scored the next two consecutive goals.
Building on their strong finish to the fourth quarter, TTU appeared to have more energy and entered the second five-minute half with the advantage, 38-33. Suddenly, Sale City’s undefeated record looked in danger as the Bulldogs scrambled to regain control.
Bombers’ goal attack Zanthe Flewin opened the final five minutes with a goal as TTU goalkeeper Aeva Haley and goal defence Jayda Field continued to make crucial interceptions. Flewin and Hollands were unstoppable in attack, scoring 13 goals in extra time compared to Sale City’s five, as the Bombers made the 2026 premiership theirs.
Jayda Field’s defence was recognised with the medal for best player on court.
FINALLY, the D grade Bombers did what they have done best this year – win matches.
The undefeated minor premier did not succumb to the pressure of grand final day, or that applied by its opponent, Woodside.
The Wildcats were in touch at the end of the first term, but the Bombers turned the jets on to deliver a 15-goal to four second term to break open the grand final.
Stephanie Wise (20 goals), Amelia Riddle (13) and Emily Holme (10) continued to increase the margin into the second half, and the Bombers went on to win 43-27.
Grace Milner added best on court to her league best and fairest title this year for her defensive efforts across four quarters.
