A GRADE
North Gambier has advanced to the inaugural Limestone Coast Football Netball League A Grade netball grand final with a nail biting one goal victory over West Gambier.
The Roos had the better of the first half before the Tigers regrouped, worked their way to a five goal advantage halfway through the final quarter before holding off a fast finishing West to advance straight into the grand final.
The first quarter was a battle of the two young shooters, West’s Sarah Ritter netting 14 from 17 and Tiger goal attack Macey Griffith converting 13 from 14.
The Roos went into the first break with a three goal advantage and built on that with a strong second quarter.
Ritter shot a perfect 15 straight as Tara Bryant and Jess Holmes started to find more space, using their pace to great effect and the defensive effort of the Roos started to unsettle the Tigers.
Chelsea Tremelling and Bryant contested every ball and got a number of critical turnovers as North was forced into error, time and time again, and by the half time break it was a seven goal advantage for the Roos, who looked in control.
North had injected Mischa Human into the goal shooter role before the half time break and that move started to pay dividends in the third as the teenage shooter became a focal point for the Tigers feeders, converting 13 from 14 as North fought its way back to a one goal deficit at the final change.
Brianna Walters, after having a tight tussle with Tremelling in the first half, started to influence the contest, using her speed and smarts, and unearthing her incredible work rate that saw her continually find space in dangerous positions.
Her connection with Griffith and Human was critical in this comeback quarter, while defenders Stella Mobbs and Mel Renko started to win more ball, as much through deflections and loose ball gets as clean interceptions but the pressure started to affect the Roos’ normally seamless connections in attack.
It was the Tigers who started the final quarter the best and quickly worked their way to a four goal lead, extending it to a team high five as the minutes ticked away.
West looked to nullify Human halfway throughout the last quarter with Amy Cram heading back under the post and Mikaela Horrigan taking care of Griffith and eventually the pressure started to mount and the errors came from North, allowing West to work its way back into contention.
Time eventually beat the Roos with the Tigers in possession when the final whistle sounded.
It was a high quality contest with momentum changing each quarter despite the fact no more than seven goals ever separated the two teams.
Bryant’s hard running and ability to win the ball back defensively, as well as use her damaging drives to connect quickly with Ritter was critical for West, as was Ritter’s conversion and the ball winning ability of Tremelling.
Griffith was outstanding, and most importantly composed for the Tigers, while Walters was tireless with her work rate and pinpoint with her delivery.
Renko was also critical, not just in getting some important touches when the match was in the balance late in the third and early in the last, but as a key link player as North looked to protect the ball and work its way through the tenacious Roos defence. A RESERVE
The A Reserve clash between North and Millicent was expected to be a close contest and played in wet and windy conditions it lived up to that expectation as both sides went goal for goal.
It was North who got off to the better start and this helped them as they recorded an eight goal win to advance into the grand final.
North started well with Amanda O’Shaughnessy controlling the mid-court and finding Lila Pearson close to the post.
Pearson was the dominant shooter scoring nine from 13.
The Millicent attack line struggled to get through the tight defensive pressure from North’s Nat Fox and Grace Potts, but it was Mylee Lynch who found space in the goal circle late in the quarter and was well-fed by Piper Paul.
North went in with a five goal lead at the first break.
North started the second quarter strongly with Pearson being the target and was well-fed by Mikayla Pitt on the attacking wing.
The switch of Georgia Clarke to goal defence and the introduction of Emily Denton onto the court allowed Millicent to get some vital touches.
Abby Denton stepped up scoring six straight and Lynch continued to work hard and helped the Saints win the quarter by one.
North led 24-20 at the main break.
Both sides changed at the main break with Pitt moving to goal shooter and O’Shaughnessy to WD and juniors Maggie Collins and Cara Nulty entering the mid-court.
Pitt used her strength in the goal circle to score seven straight, and was well supported by Alycia Pitson, who created the play in attack and fed well.
The Saints kept working hard and the fresh legs of Poppy Venn at WA created opportunities, but North were more accurate and increased their lead to seven goals at the last change.
Millicent made changes at the last break with Sunderland re-entering after an injury break and Kalani Dunn coming on at GS.
Venn worked well with Dunn in the circle with Dunn using her height to shoot eight for the quarter.
North continued to be patient with their ball use and worked it close to the post to win the quarter and advance into the grand final.
The final score was 47-39.
B GRADE
Pre-match predictions were this would be a tight, hard fought contest and the B Grade second semi final lived up to the billing.
In the end, South Gambier was able to generate more scoring opportunities and book a grand final berth with a seven goal victory.
It was even at the first break, South by one at half time, the Demons extending that to five at the final change before wining the final quarter by two.
Mel Harvey was always going to be a key player in the contest and so It panned out, showing nerves of steel in the opening half to convert 17 from 19 as she used her speed on the drive to great effect, finding herself continually in good shooting position.
At the other end of the court Chelsea Dunn and Kim McIntyre-Clarke were making it tough for the Millicent frontline, the duo upping the pressure in the second half as Millicent rejigged their line-up to try and gain the ascendancy.
At half time the Saints moved utility Krystal Coghlan from goal attack to goal defence to try and combat Harvey’s influence, while Nicole Domaschenz headed to the shooting circle in the hope her height and strength on the hold would be a factor.
Coach Michelle Fleming moved back to goal keeper to try and quell Kim Saffin, while Tiarna Verbena, who had been one of the Saints’ most influential players in the opening half, moved to wing attack to try and get her accurate feeding skills even closer to the circle.
The changes certainly had an impact at the defensive end of the court and scoring was more difficult for the Demons but with Ruby Milich taking the wing defence bib, her speed was able to match Verbena and Milich not only created some critical turnovers but was key in transition.
Harvey was best for South, while Dunn anchored the defence and Jolley and Milich proved important in ball movement for the Demons, while Coghlan and Verbena were the Saints’ best.
Millicent will now be sweating on the late injury to Fleming, who had an injury at a similar time last season, as they turn their attention to an in-form North Gambier in this weekend’s preliminary final.
C GRADE
South Gambier has extended its undefeated streak in 2024 to 17, advancing to the 2024 grand final with a 20 goal victory over North Gambier.
The Demons won every quarter, really putting the foot down in the second half, which they won 27-14 to seal the deal.
In the end, it was a question of supply, with South generating 79 scoring opportunities to North’s 46.
The accurate finishing of Milly Allen and Jess Dempster helped the Tigers stay in touch in the opening half, where the margin was only seven at the main break.
Sarah Brown had a great battle with Kaitlyn Horrigan in that opening half, and in the end, it was the ability of Misty Dalton and Krystie Reid to deny North easy scoring opportunities and continually turning the ball over for their teammates that made all the difference.
North made some changes at half time to try and work their way back, with Brown heading to the goal attack role, Kirrily Kramins taking the defensive wing late in the third quarter and Keeley Quinn into centre.
Kahlia Egan also entered the clash on the defensive wing and then goal defence as North tried everything to stem the scoring from South goalers Ella Egan and Sam Raedel.
The Tigers just could not find the answers and, on the back of Egan and Reid in particular, won the first spot in the grand final.
Jade Jennings also took some well timed interceptions that ensured South always had the edge.
Brown and Deb Edwards, who was a key in the mid court, were best for North.
17 & UNDER
The previous encounters between these two sides have been one-sided with North being the dominant side in the competition all season.
The Saints surprisingly held the lead for half the match until the talented North team pulled away in the second half to win by 11 goals to book the first spot in the grand final.
The match started well with both teams scoring from their centre pass and the mid-courters dominating the play.
The Saints’ Piper Paul was dominant early hitting circle edge to find Mylee Lynch, who worked the baseline to shoot close to the post.
At the other end North’s Maggie Collins and Cara Nulty worked hard through the mid-court to try and find their goalies as Edie Easterby intercepted any loose passes.
North led by two at the first change.
The Saints dominated the second quarter with GA Poppy Venn using her speed to open the goal circle and find Lynch at the post.
Easterby worked well with Eva Crowe and Mackinlee Alcock to stop the flow of the North attack line and they were forced to make a change with Stella Mobbs moving from GK to GS.
Easterby continued to dominate in defence, and it was the Saints who won the quarter 10 goals to five, and went into the half time break up by three.
The third quarter started much the same way with tight defensive pressure from both sides forcing errors.
It was North who started to settle halfway through the quarter with Nulty dominating the mid-court and finding Mobbs at the post.
Mobbs scored 11/13 for the quarter to be the dominant goalie on court, helping her side to regain the lead to be four goals in front at the final change.
The last quarter saw North pull away as Mobbs continued to use her height in goals and Macey Griffith stepped up her work rate to find space at the post.
Collins used her speed through the middle for North and her battle with Mia Gysbers was a tight one, with both players running hard all game.
It was North who outscored the Saints 17-10 to win by 11 goals.
North have booked the first spot in the grand final and the Saints will have to work hard against an improved South Gambier to have the opportunity for a rematch in a fortnight’s time.
15 & UNDER A
The battle between these two sides has been tight all season and in a skilful game it was Millicent who secured the 10-goal win to advance into the 15 & Under grand final.
North started strongly scoring the first goal through Mischa Human.
It was the Saints who went onto score five unanswered goals, as Tahnee Grosser used her speed on the front cut to score eight for the quarter.
Vital touches from Sebella Coghlan and Lucy Crowe gave the Saints more scoring opportunities and Grosser and Dunn scored accurately to see the Saints take a nine goal quarter time lead.
North settled in the second quarter with their mid-court making better use of the ball and Jenna Baron using her speed to find Human at the post.
Despite the tight pressure from Emily Denton, Human scored eight without a miss.
Jeda Hibberd had a good battle with Lila Pearson and it was Hibberd who chased down any loose balls to help her side stop the run of North late in the quarter.
North were able to win the quarter to be seven down at half-time.
The Saints made changes at the main break with Coghlan moving into the centre and Asha Gysbers to WA.
Gysbers used her height on the line and Coghlan created the play to give the Saints more scoring opportunities.
North’s Winnie Zadow got some crucial intercepts in the third quarter and was well supported by Raine Darimaani.
The Saints were able to slightly increase their lead to be eight goals in front at the final change.
The last quarter was again evenly matched, however it was the impressive shooting from Dunn and Grosser who scored 12 without a miss.
At the other end Hibberd and Denton shut down the space of the North attack line with Denton getting some important touches on the baseline for her side.
At the other end Darimaani was also impressive, picking up loose balls but it was Coghlan who settled the Saints to ensure they won the first spot into the grand final.
The final scoreline was 45-35.
15 & UNDER B
Millicent dominated from go to whoa in the 15 & Under B second semi final and will go into the September 14 grand final the hottest of favourites.
A perfect 13 from 13 quarter from Saints goal shooter Amarlie Thomson set the tone as Millicent’s ball movement saw them create scoring opportunities time and time again, as Scarlett Zalme and Indi Coghlan connected with Thomson and Lindy Van Eeden.
And the Saints were just as tough at the other end as Audrey Galambos and Lola Ferguson made it difficult for the North frontline to find their shooters in space.
Fortunately when they did both Carey Grivell and Lacey Hunter finished accurately to try and keep their team in the hunt.
North did bounce back in the second quarter, drawing it seven-all as the defensive duo of Mia Griffith and Ava Halloran started to make it tougher for the Saints to score and Jenna Baron and Lacey Hunter dominated the attack end.
Millicent regrouped at the main break and came out firing with Thomson again the focal point, netting 12 from 13 in a stunning display.
Galambos and Ferguson smothered the North frontline, only giving up three goals, with Olive Thorne and Zalme creating some turnover ball in the mid court.
The last quarter was again a tighter affair but the damage had been done as Millicent powered to a 22 goal victory.
Collins and Hunter were best for the Tigers, while Thomson and Van Eeden were named best for the Saints.
13 & UNDER A
Millicent has advanced to the 2024 13 & Under A grand final with a strong 14 goal victory over South Gambier.
The win was set up with a dominant opening half where Millicent controlled the tempo of the game.
They used quick ball movement in attack and amped up the pressure to force a number of errors from the Demons at the defensive end of the court.
Lola Ferguson created much of the Saints’ turnover ball in the opening quarter and with Lacey Sunderland and Indi Coghlan linking well, the scoreboard was ticking over with the lead five at quarter time and 11 at the half.
The defensive pressure from the Saints, with Ferguson and Prudence Johnson leading the way, saw the Demons struggling to get the ball in shooting range.
With Coghlan and Brydie Madden finishing accurately, Millicent was always in control.
The Demons kept swinging the changes, making extensive use of the tactical sub rule, but while they did make some promising runs at the Saints, the Millicent team always settled and kept the margin at 10 for much of the game.
A late flurry before the final whistle saw it blow out to a final margin of 14.
Coghlan was best on court with a shooting performance that saw her net 27 from 35 and she also created some critical turnover ball, while Ferguson and Prudence Johnson were impassable and rebounded strongly in defence and Sunderland had a great battle with Zara Cole, who was clearly South’s best on the day.
Annalie Peucker was also a stand-out for the Demons with her work over the post, rebounding and some telling interceptions and deflections, but the error-ridden Demons just could not ever gain momentum.
13 & UNDER B
West Gambier capitalised on its strong start in the 13 & Under B second semi final and despite minor premiers South Gambier challenging a few times, the young Roos held their nerve and advanced straight into the grand final.
The Roos led by four at the first break before the young Demons settled and fought back to take a one goal lead into the main break.
The Roos then dominated the third quarter, restricting South to only a handful of scoring opportunities and their lead was four going into what turned out to be a frenetic final quarter.
Both sides made their share of errors in the final 12 minutes but some exceptional finishing from Phoebe Bonney-Dawson, who came on in the second half to goal shooter and sunk some critical long range attempts, saw the Roos run out eventual winners, 29-22.
South was missing key player Courtney Sims, who was ill, but they still had their chances and just made too many errors with ball in hand.
Frankie Davey was dominant in the opening half, both in transition and positioning in the shooting circle, while the hard running from Isla Stuckey and Eliza Parham was a feature.
West also have much to thank for their tight checking defensive duo Aggie Thomas and Molly Thomas, who both created numerous turnovers to give their team the edge.
Lara Agostinelli had an impact both in the mid court and the defensive circle, while Lacey Howard showed her smarts with her leads and ball movement, as well as nailing some important goals, while Ellie McCracken and Zara Harten both had their moments of brilliance.
In the end, the Roos were more consistent and looked after the ball better and deserve their place in the title decider, while South now turns its attention to the preliminary final and Millicent.
