13 & Under – Kalangadoo 43 d Mount Burr 37
It was a wet start to the game with both teams showing patience in attack and taking high percentage shots and converting with accuracy.
Ebony Reeves was a focal point in Kalangadoo’s goal circle, with Zara Cole feeding with precision.
Mount Burr’s Poppy Mackenzie and Sophie Smith shared the load in the goal circle and the Mozzies had a small lead at quarter time.
In the second, Kalangadoo’s defensive pressure of Ashley Grosvenor, Tekani Clark and Jorja McLaughlin worked overtime, giving their goalies opportunities to convert.
Wren Gardiner and Alice Smith worked hard in Mount Burr’s attack to get the ball to their goalies safely, however it was Kalangadoo by six at the quarter time break.
The third quarter saw a tight tussle between teams, with momentum swinging throughout the quarter.
Mount Burr’s Emily Lowndes and Isabelle Ballantyne took some timely intercepts, which brought their team back into the game, with Kalangadoo leading by just four coming into the last.
Under pressure, Kalangadoo was able to compose
their team in the final term, with Matilda Peacock leading from the front, securing a six goal victory by the final whistle.
Best players for Kalangadoo were Matilda Peacock and Ashley Grosvenor, while for Mount Burr it was Emily Lowndes and Wren Gardiner.
15 & Under – Port MacDonnell 50 d Glencoe 30
It was a great first half by both teams coming out strong with the score going goal for goal.
Bailee Lewis for the Bay shot with accuracy, only missing five goals in the first half despite the defensive pressure from the Murphies’ Isabella Brierley.
During the third quarter Port Mac found their rhythm going into the final quarter with a 10-goal lead.
Defensive pressure from Port Mac’s Chelsea Fulham and Layla McPherson caused many turnovers.
Violet Thorne’s speed and accuracy was integral for the Glencoe side.
Best players for Port MacDonnell were Bailee Lewis and Chelsea Fulham, and for Glencoe it was Violet Thorne and Ruby Buckley.
17 & Under – Hatherleigh d Kalangadoo
What was built to be a tight game did not disappoint with both teams applying defensive pressure all over the court and goalies rewarding each end.
Niah Faulkner for the Eagles and Shayden Russell for the Pies put up a fight for their respective teams one end and Kalangadoo’s Eleanor Xanthapoulos and Hatherleigh’s Chloe Bellinger had a tight tussle at the other.
Coming into to the second half Hatherleigh held the lead by two and both teams came out fighting for the win.
Hatherleigh managed to get the upper hand and kick out to a five goal lead while to Kalangadoo’s credit they kept fighting to bring it back to a two goal game.
Georgia Gentile was solid in the defence for the Magpies and helped her side to rally early to even the scores but to Hatherleigh’s credit through Deni Brown and Kalli Nettle they regained the lead and were steady through the mid court to run out a two goal win.
Best players for Kalangadoo were Shayden Russell and Georgia Gentile, and for Hatherleigh it was Kalli Nettle and Chloe Bellinger.
B Reserve – Hatherleigh 43 d Kalangadoo 40
Kalangadoo came out incredibly strong in the first quarter, scoring the first five goals before Hatherleigh got on the board.
The Eagles fought hard to get back in the quarter, ending the first quarter five goals down.
Hatherleigh came out firing in the second quarter, with Keely Jones creating a number of turnovers and Melita Thwaites and Sylvie Barlow had their eyes in and were hitting their goals – leaving the score even at half time.
Kalangadoo were not willing to give up and came out firing in the third quarter as their goalies shot accurately and their defence held strong.
The Pies were on top by one at three quarter time, but Hatherleigh was not done yet, taking a one goal lead into the last.
The fourth quarter went goal for goal, Kalangadoo held out, turning over some crucial centre passes and getting an early lead.
Hatherleigh’s defence was too much for Kalangadoo and in the last few minutes the Eagles really took the game with late intercepts from Nicole Thomas and Ella Major that led to Hatherleigh winning by three goals.
Best players for Hatherleigh were Keely Jones and Sylvie Barlow, and for Kalangadoo it was Gemma Box and Madi Wilkinson.
B Grade – Hatherleigh 41 d Tantanoola 34
Hatherleigh came out firing with Olivia Slattery shooting with accuracy and holding strong under the post.
Indianna Marshall’s height in GK for the Tigers meant any loose passes were picked off, similarly Marnie Jolly’s reach caused headaches for the Tantanoola goalies.
At the first break Hatherleigh had a handy nine goal lead.
To Tantanoola’s credit they outscored Hatherleigh in the second and third quarters, with Lauren Fensom and Hijisa Hales getting the Tigers back within reach.
Danni Vanderheul ran hard through the midcourt providing plenty of drive and voice.
Erin Dawe at GD for the Tigers ensured Ellie Cook worked hard, applying great defensive pressure and getting plenty of intercepts.
The frustration was evident from all players at times as easy errors were made.
It was a thrilling last quarter with only a couple of goals in it, but the Hatherleigh goalies stayed cool under the pressure and Hatherleigh were able to extend their lead and win by seven goals.
Best players for Hatherleigh were Marnie Jolly and Olivia Slattery, and for Tantanoola it was Indianna Marshall and Lauren Fensom.
A Reserve – Hatherleigh 32 d by Port MacDonnell 36
In a thrilling preliminary final showdown, Port Mac secured a hard-fought victory over Hatherleigh.
Both teams displayed exceptional skill and determination, keeping the crowd on edge throughout the game.
Hatherleigh started strong with sharp shooting through Abbey Wight and Imogen Nowak and tight defence, pushing Port Mac to dig deep.
However, Port Mac found their rhythm in the second quarter, capitalising on turnovers and showcasing slick passing in the goal circle, despite the best efforts of Maddie Redman at GD for the Eagles.
Port Mac moved Bailee Lewis to GA at the start of the third and Bree Ridding to WD, where they both had an immediate impact.
Eliza Mewett came on at GA for the Eagles replacing Nowak and she supported Wight well in the circle.
In the final minutes the Eagles lifted their defensive pressure through GD Maddie Redman, however Port Mac’s composed midcourt play and accurate shooting gave them the edge.
Port Mac’s defensive end stood tall in the closing stages, preventing Hatherleigh from closing the gap.
Both teams should be proud of their efforts in what was a competitive and gripping final.
Port Mac celebrated their well-deserved win, capping off a fantastic season with the 36-32 victory.
Best players for Port MacDonnell were Bailee Lewis and Michelle Moore, and for Hatherleigh it was Maddie Redman and Abby Wight.
A Grade – Kalangadoo 52 d Tantanoola 45
In what was set to be a tight contest Kalangadoo started strongly with accurate shooting through Ebony McDiarmid and Abbey Duncan.
Tantanoola applied plenty of defensive pressure throughout the court, but despite their best efforts Kalangadoo held a four goal lead at the first break.
The wind was causing issues for the goalies, however McDiarmid continued to shoot accurately as did Emma Gould for the Tigers.
Small errors from the Pies allowed the Tigers back into the game and they capitalised on some well-timed intercepts from Bella Poulish to keep the quarter even and go into the third down by four.
Tantanoola got a couple of turnovers early and Jami Walker capitalised, shooting nine from 10 for the quarter.
Errors started to creep in to the Pies attack line and the Tigers were able to bridge the gap to two.
Kalangadoo started the final quarter with patience and gained two turnovers early, however Poulish continued to read the ball well and gained some timely intercepts.
The ball went from end to end with great defensive work by both sides. However, Lara Munro for Kalangadoo was pivotal in defence.
Kalangadoo settled in the last and outscored Tantanoola by five and came away with a hard fought seven goal win.
Best players for Kalangadoo were Ebony McDiarmid and Lara Munro, and for Tantanoola it was Bella Poulish and Jami Walker.