A GRADE – Millicent 59 d West Gambier 47

It was an A Grade grand final full of drama and while Millicent returned to the top with a 12 goal victory over reigning premiers West Gambier, the scoreboard does not tell the full story.

All three times the two teams met in the home and away season and the tense one goal second semi final, which Millicent won, set the scene for what everyone expected to be a titanic struggle for the 2023 flag.

It was the Roos getting the better of the early going as Sarah Ritter presented strongly, enjoying accurate feeding from Lisa McGregor, Tara Bryant and Mikaela Horrigan.

She netted 12 from 13 in an ominous sign for the Saints at the first change it was a three goal advantage to the Roos.

Millicent stayed in touch thanks to the work rate of Demi Verbena who seemed to take every second ball at goal attack as she looked to work the ball through the relentless pressure of the Roos defenders Jade Ritter and Amy Cram.

At that quarter time break, Millicent injected experienced premiership player Kimmi Tincknell into the fray at wing defence, moving Lisa Duldig to centre and Lillie Paul to wing attack, replacing Daisy Tunkin who has been battling a serious finger injury for the past month.

The changes had an immediate impact, not only seeing a better connection in the front half and more scoring opportunities, but defensively the Saints also reset and started to make life tougher for the West frontline.

Sarah Ritter was critical in this quarter as her 10 from 11 kept the Roos in the contest as the Saints were surging and at the main break, Millicent had turned that three goal deficit into a two gal half time lead.

Everyone braced themselves for a tense second half as these two sides, the pacesetters of the competition for the past two seasons, looked to find a way to take control.

The arm wrestle continued early before an accidental collision between McGregor and Paul changed the game.

Paul was sore and sorry but able to continue, while McGregor, who was celebrating her 400th game in the title decider, suffered a significant knee injury, forcing her from the court for the remainder of the third quarter.

That saw Tahlia Earl enter the clash at goal attack but not unsurprisingly, despite captain and star defender Cram looking to refocus her teammates before play restarted, the Saints took control.

The two goal advantage when McGregor left the court turned into nine by the three quarter time huddle.

Tabatha Sanderson and Verbena dominated the quarter, while Portia McRae won some critical ball to set a tough task for the Roos in the final 15 minutes.

That cause was not helped when Roos wing defender Zoe Malseed was sent off for two minutes in the final quarter and in the end, the Saints were able to cruise to a 12 goal victory.

Sarah Ritter and Cram were best for the Roos and McGregor did return to the court in the final quarter, clearly hampered but determined to lead her side, while Tara Bryant ran as hard as she always does.

Sanderson had an outstanding grand final, netting 41 of Millicent’s 59 goals, while Verbena added a best on court medal to her association best and fairest accolade and, of course, another premiership medal.

Duldig was also huge – the now, veteran, leading the mid court and getting the job done at both ends of the court.

A RESERVE – Millicent 54 d West Gambier 38

West Gambier got off to a flyer in the A Reserve preliminary final to blow North Gambier out of the water and the Roos knew they needed a similar strong start to challenge the Saints and it just did not happen.

It was only a six goal buffer for Millicent at the first change but by half time it was 12 and it was a long way back for West Gambier against an experienced and talented Saints line-up.

In the end, it was all about weight of supply – Millicent enjoying 78 scoring opportunities and West 69 and with the Saints converting more accurately, that told the story.

Experience campaigner Donna Denton was always going to be the focal point of the Millicent attack line and that is how things panned out – the star shooter netting 44 of the Saints 54 goals.

The hard running of Jackie Sunderland, who was adjudged best on court in the title decider, and composed delivery from Alana Craig ensured Denton had great supply and despite the strong efforts of Roos defenders Racheal Langford and Maddie Milich, the scoreboard just kept ticking over.

For the Roos, Chelsea Tremelling was her usual busy self, running down loose balls and using her speed in transition while Anna Bosco’s battle with Sunderland was one of the highlights of the match.

Tahlia Earl was the strong target she has been all season and she finished accurately to try and give her team bang for their buck, while Gracie Peterson was the hard working player she has been all season as she looked to impact on the contest.

But in the end, the 12 goal half time lead that blew out to 15 by three quarter time, was just too much to reel in and Millicent secured the premiership with a 16 goal victory.

B GRADe – Millicent 46 d Casterton Sandford 21

The Casterton Sandford B Grade team would love to have the first quarter of their grand final with Millicent back.

The pre-game favourites were ambushed by a Saints line-up that knew defensive pressure was the key to their success and they brought it in spades.

Michaelle Fleming was working overtime to nullify star Cats shooter Shelby Nolte and with support from Veronika Duncan and mid court pressure from Krystal Coghlan, the Cats struggle to even generate scoring opportunities.

At the other end, Nicole Domaschenz was receiving god supply from her team mates and her 12 from 17 helped set up the commanding 13 goal quarter time lead for Millicent.

The Cats rejigged their line-up at the first break with Sarah Richardson brought into the contest to try and shut down Domaschenz, while Amber Balzan and Anna Whillas swapped roles in the mid court with Balzan taking the centre bib and Whillas moving to the attacking wing.

But with Fleming still dominating at the back and the Saints mid court also creating turnover ball, the second quarter was reminiscent of the first and at half time the Saints’ advantage had blown out to 23.

Teenage shooting talent Chelsea Hulm was injected into match at goal attack for the Cats at the main break, with reigning association best and fairest Trictia Cleary moving into the centre, with the athletics Dakota Crawford coming onto wing defence in a bid to pressure the ball into Domaschenz, who was sitting at 22 goals for the opening half.

The second half was improved for the Cats – they generated more scoring opportunities and certainly had a better defensive mindset to start limiting the ball into the Millicent shooting circle but the match was well and truly gone and in the end it was a 25 goal margin.

Balzan was best for the Cats with her hard running through the mid court, while Saints playing coach and goal keeper Fleming earned best on court honours while Domaschenz, who has taken on the shooting role this season after a career more in defence provided a great target and finished accurately.

C GRADE – East Gambier 46

d South Gambier 45 – IN OVERTIME

The C Grade second semi final went into overtime and so did the grand final between the same two teams – South Gambier and East Gambier.

The scripts were eerily similar in that each team had plenty of chances to secure the win in regulation time but just could not nail the killer blow.

In the second sei final East fought back from an eight goal deficit to force the game into overtime, this time it was the Demons in trouble and not only did they get back to level pegging but worked their way to a two lead with the centre pass to come.

East was not done with though and fired off three goals to force the match into the extra 14 minutes of play. Again it was South earning the early centre pass break and holding on to lead by to after the first period of extra time but some passing errors saw East wrestle momentum and end up on the right side of the scoreboard by one goal.

Reigning association best and fairest Brooklyn Jean was best on court as she consistently denied the South feeders easy access to their shooters, while the pressure from Grace Ferguson on the defensive wing and the strong work in the shooting circle from Megan Wilson and Millie Button was critical – as was the composure of Zena Creek.

In the tense last quarter and overtime Ella Egan and Alannah Clayton finished accurately and enjoyed some good delivery from Brooke Winterfield, while Chelsea Dunn kept her side in the hunt the entire contest as she got some important touches and rebounded strongly.

Teenager Shana Grassi also had an impact when she entered the game for the Demons at goal defence, while some late pick ups from Jade Jennings and her work rate in transition was also critical in keeping South in the hunt, but in the end, East was ahead when it counted most – the final whistle of the season.

17 & UNDER – Millicent 53 d North Gambier 48

North Gambier entered the 17 and Under title decider at the weekend on the back of a dominant second semi final victory but with the Saints missing key personnel Edie Easterby and Poppy Venn, the Tigers knew the weekend’s clash would be a much tougher assignment.

The first three quarters were an arm wrestle as both sides applied relentless defensive pressure.

North led by three at quarter time, it was tied up at half time and remained locked away at the final change. As they had all game, Millicent swung the changes at that final break, and it proved match winning.

Abby Denton, who had been the dominant Saint goaler all game, moved to goal shooter, teaming with the speed of Venn, who moved from centre into goal attack.

Best on court Edie Easterby moved from goal defence, where she had been a key factor in Millicent creating turnover ball, into the centre, where her height and strength in the air proved irresistible.

Lauren Van Eeden returned to the court at goal defence and Lillie Paul was also recalled towing attack. It proved a winning combination.

Denton had her most productive quarter, netting 14 from 18 and the dynamic forward line of Venn, Paul and Easterby took control as the saints worked their way to a five goal victory.

After a solid opening half, Jayme Young was moved to her more familiar role of wing defence, with 15 & Under defender Ruby Mitchell taking the goal defence bib for North as the Tigers looked for a way to gain ascendancy and win more ball for Stella Mobbs and Macey Griffith to convert but there North was never able to generate the same scoring power it had a fortnight earlier.

Mobbs and Griffith were North’s best, finishing accurately, while Easterby, Venn and Denton were best for the Saints, with Mackinlee Alcock also rating a mention for her hard work on association best and fairest Mobbs to not allow the shooter to be the dominant force she was in the second semi final.

15 & UNDER A – Millicent 34 d North Gambier 33

In 2022, the 15 and Under A grand final was forced into overtime and at the weekend it almost was again.

The Saints entered the clash having won the second semi final by 21 but the Tigers came better prepared at the weekend and had the better of the opening half.

Mischa Human was a strong target in that opening half for the Tigers and she received great supply from Georgia Nulty and Maggie Collins, who worked the angles to find their star shooter in space.

Elodie Adam was also a key with her strong front cuts and with the North shooting combination netted 10 from 12 to ensure the Tigers dominance was translated to the scoreboard.

Human dominated the second quarter with her 11 straight conversions but fortunately Kalani Dunn had worked her way into the contest for the Saints to ensure they stayed in touch and at the main break it was the Tigers by five.

Dunn was also the dominant force in the third at Millicent started to bridge the gap on the scoreboard.

Her connection with the hard working Bell Coghlan saw her net 11 from 14 and those opportunities came through an improved defensive effort from Emily Denton and Matti Fauchelle, who started to create some turnover ball.

To describe the final quarter as tense would be an understatement and the 6-4 scoreline shows just how many turnovers there were as both teams looked to secure a break.

In the end, a timely deflection from Fauchelle that was collected by Coghlan, saw the Saints maintain possession and a one goal lead, not allowing the Tigers a chance to score from their centre pass and securing the nailbiting one goal victory.

Human and goal defender Ruby Mitchell were best for the Tigers, while Coghlan secured best on court honours and was well supported by dynamic wing attack Piper Paul and gal attack Mylee Lynch.s

15 & UNDER B – North Gambier 26 d Millicent 18

It was a victory set up in the first half when North Gambier reversed its second semi final result against Millicent with a grand final win.

While the Saints struggled t move the ball in the opening quarter, North was able to find shooters Claire Mitchell, fresh from her win in the association best and fairest count, and Mia Griffith, who was adjudged best on court in the final washup, in space.

It was one way traffic in that opening quarter until Millicent settled and scored late to still be in touch with a five goal deficit.

The second quarter is where the damage was really done.

Zoe Davison was forced from the court with a pre-existing injury and her replacement Georgia Nulty had an immediate impact, coming on at wing attack and feeding the ball with precision.

North’s defensive effort, which was good in the fist quarter, was even better in the second as circle defenders Raine Darimaani and Isabella Stafford created plenty of turnover ball, only conceding one goal for the quarter as the Tigers established a convincing 11 goal half time lead.

The Saints swung the changes at the main break and the new look circle defensive combination of Eva Crowe and Jeda Hibberd certainly had an impact but the accuracy from Griffith and Mitchell, converting eight from nine as a duo, ensured the Tigers remained in control.

Millicent’s Tahnee Grosser, who was the star of the second semi final, moved out to goal attack and improved her output but the Saints just could not make inroads and the margin was 13 at the final change.

Grosser was again the star o the final quarter but it was too little, too late from the Saints and despite winning the quarter by five, thanks in no small part to some Hibberd brilliance as well, the damage was done and North held on for an eight goal win.

13 & UNDER A – Millicent 33 d North Gambier 21

It all came down to a strong start in the 13 and Under A grand final with Millicent working their way to a six goal advantage over North Gambier by the first break.

Amarlie Thomson and Indi Coghlan were on song for the Saints, while North just struggled to find a way through the defensive efforts of Lola Ferguson and Audrey Galambos.

The Tigers did settle in the second though as North defenders Ava Halloran and Amelie Adam started to get their hands to some balls, with mid court pressure from Mackenzie Harrold and Jenna Baron also ensuring it was a more even contest and at the main break it was still a six goal game.

Both sides swung the changes at half time and it was the Saints who came out firing.

Best on court Lucy Crowe moved into the defensive end and created plenty of turnover ball, while Thomson and Coghlan were again getting good supply, especially their connection with hard working wing attack Olive Thorne.

By the final break it was an 11 goal lead for the Saints and they had no intention of letting it slip.

North coach Rosie Collins shook up her line-up moving Jenna Baron into goals and Lacey Hunter into the centre as well as Grace Collins to goal keeper and Adam to the defensive wing but while it saw the Tigers match the saints, they just could not gain any momentum to bridge the gap, going down by 12 goals in the final wash up.

13 & UNDER B – Casterton Sandford 30 d Millicent 15

It was all about the defenders in the opening quarter of the 13 and Under B grand final with Casterton Sandford’s Ylana Grigg and Millicent’s Sophie Walker creating turnovers and rebounding strongly as both sides suffered from early nerves and plenty of errors.

The hands pressure from both sides was contributing to those feeding errors and by quarter time the Cats had a two goal lead.

It was tight again in the second with the pressure from both teams ensuring neither team could establish any smooth ball movement.

Saint utility Prudence Johnson moved to goal defence and had an impact with her ability to create turnover ball, while the hard running of Marlee Robbins ensured the Cats were well in the contest.

It was an even quarter so Casterton Sandford still enjoyed that two goal buffer but things changed dramatically in the third quarter when the Cats brought on three fresh players and took control of the contest.

Adele Murphy’s move back to goal shooter saw her secure a ton of scoring opportunities – most of them made possible by the defensive work of two of the new players on court, Chloe Kuzman at goal keeper and tenacious Georgia Bailey at wing defence.

By the final change it was an eight goal game and despite Millicent making several changes for the final quarter and the interceptions taken by Audrey Galambos, the Saints had no answer and the Cats powered to a 15 goal victory with Robbins named best on court.