A GRADE – NORTH GAMBIER V WEST GAMBIER


North Gambier has broken an almost two decade A Grade premiership drought with a commanding 14 goal victory over West Gambier.


Stopping scoring machine Sarah Ritter, the 2024 A Grade league best and fairest, was always going to be priority one and the Tigers looked clueless as to how to achieve that in the opening quarter as the star Roo converted 16 from 17.


Lisa McGregor continually found Ritter with some accurate, long range feeding, often delivering the ball from the centre third, while Tara Bryant and Jess Holmes were also getting in on the act, hitting the circle edge hard and delivering the ball with ease to Ritter.


At the other end of the court, the North frontline lacked cohesion and time and time again Amy Cram and Mikaela Horrigan forced the usually reliable frontline into error and it looked like it was going to be a case of West by how far, as the Roos set up a 10 goal quarter time lead.


It might have taken until a few minutes into the second quarter but the Tigers did flick a switch with a lift in performance across the board.


Defensively the lift in intensity was palpable as North Gambier started to slow the ball movement, place more hands pressure over the feeds and circle defenders Mel Renko and Stella Mobbs worked their feet to get in better contenting position, attracting less whistle than in the opening 15 minutes.


The injection of Mischa Human late in the first quarter to the goal shooter role also seemed to breathe new life into the Tigers attack line, with Macey Griffith rebounding from a slow opening quarter to be back to her best, while Kaitlin Egan and Brianna Walters started to find better connection with each other and their shooters.


By half time, that 10 goal quarter time lead had been whittled down to a solitary goal and it was game on.


The third quarter was all about the Tigers as Renko and Mobbs started to create even more turnover ball and the speed of Walters and her creative delivery was becoming a real headache for the Roos.


The star wing attack continually found Human in space and the teenager showed great composure, scoring a perfect 16 straight to help North set up an eight goal three quarter time lead, winning the quarter, 23-14.


Griffith was also a key to the dominant quarter with her work rate out the front of Human and she also finished accurately.


The final quarter was more of the same as North ensured there would be no West comeback.


Walters played a key role in the victory with her speed and work rate seeing her carve her way through the Roos defence and continually finding her goalers in space, while Griffith was also a key, Mobbs got some important touches and Human was impressive at the post in her first A Grade grand final.


Ritter was still the Roos’ best and she was as accurate as ever, shooting 50 from 60, while Mikaela Horrigan and Amy Cram battled hard against a barrage of possession.


North playing coach Egan was named best on court for her solid four quarter performance that saw her influence the game not just offensively but with some tenacious defensive efforts.



A RESERVE – NORTH GAMBIER V MILLICENT


North Gambier secured victory in the Limestone Coast Netball A Reserve competition when they defeated Millicent by seven goals.


With the weather hitting before the start of the match, the court conditions became wet and slippery.


Millicent got off to a strong start thanks to the defensive efforts of circle defenders Georgia Clarke and Alice Pratt, who forced North into uncharacteristic errors.


Additionally, Alana Craig effectively shut down North’s wing attack Mikaila Pitt’s drive.


Millicent’s goalies Abby Denton and Mylee Lynch worked well together, using their smarts to position themselves at the post and finished accurately with 13 out of 14 shots for the quarter, guiding Millicent to a three goal lead at quarter time.


Despite Millicent having the upper hand early North remained unchanged going into the second.


In the opening minutes defensive intensity lifted all over the court resulting in forced errors from both teams as players struggled to transition centre passes and score with ease.


Millicent’s Piper Paul and Jackie Sunderland worked overtime to try and create the play, however the height of North’s Grace Potts disrupted the flow and any loose balls were picked up by North’s goal defence Nat Fox.


Sunderland and Amanada O’Shaughnessy had a great battle as both tried to settle their sides.


North made a tactical change with Pearson rested, Pitt moved to goal shooter and Cara Nulty to WA.


This had an immediate impact, with Nulty feeding patiently and working effectively with goal attack Alycia Pitson.


North’s speed in attack and defensive turnovers led to a narrow one goal lead at half time.


Both teams made positional changes with North injecting youngster Maggie Collins to centre, O’Shaughnessy moved to WD and Millicent’s youngster Poppy Venn entered at GA.


Venn had an immediate impact by scoring long range goal attempts early and Collins added fresh legs and her speed opened up space in North’s midcourt.


It was Pitson who continued to control the attack to find Pitt at the post despite Pratt and Clarke working hard to turn the ball.


But Millicent could not capitalise as the experience of O’Shaughnessy cut down the drive of youngster Paul and Grace Potts continued to dominate in defence.


North gained momentum late in the quarter, shooting accurately and went into the final change with a five goal advantage, the largest margin of the game.


Early in the final term North lost Potts who left the court with an injury, Mikaila Pitt moved from shooter to keeper and youngster Pearson re-entered at GS.


Pearson used her height cleverly and with some pinpoint passing from North’s Nulty and Collins they surged to a match winning 10-goal lead.


Further changes from Millicent saw Bell Coghlan and Kalani Dunn injected to try and forge a comeback but North were too strong and experienced across all areas of the court for the young Millicent team and secured a seven goal victory.


Alycia Pitson was awarded best on court for her clever attacking and setting up plays for North all day at goal attack.



B GRADE – SOUTH GAMBIER V MILLICENT


Millicent secured the B Grade premiership after clinching a narrow one goal win against South Gambier.


Played in perfect weather conditions the game started at a frantic pace, however Millicent was the first to settle, due to some effective ball movement between midcourt players Tiarna Verbena and Bonnie Ferguson.


Ferguson’s speed was a highlight as she worked the ball to circle edge.


Millicent’s shooter Nicole Domaschenz used her height to hold strong at the post and scored six for the quarter.


At the other end, the strong defensive pressure from Millicent’s Michelle Flemming caused hesitation and Flemming rebounded strongly.


South’s centre Hannah Witherow created plenty of drive but Millicent held a three goal lead at the first change.


South fought back in the second with goal attack Mel Harvey getting plenty of the ball in attack despite the close-checking pressure from Kyrstal Coghlan.


Harvey controlled the play and finished accurately with long-range shots.


In the middle the battle intensified between Millicent’s Nicola Batten and Witherow, with both vying to gain the upper hand for their team.


Following an injury to Michelle Flemming, Kaylah O’Loughlin entered at GK and her height caused issues for South’s goalies Harvey and Kym Saffin.


South’s defenders Kim McIntyre-Clarke and Chelsea Dunn stepped up to gain momentum and pressured the Saints into errors.


Dunn rebounded missed shots to contribute to South winning the quarter and the scores were locked at 16-all at the main break.


Both sides made changes at the break with the Saints moving Tiarna Verbena into the centre and Ella Jolley at centre for South.


South got off to a strong start in the third as Saffin found space on the base and Harvey continued to show her flare to set up the play.


South jumped out to a four goal lead before Millicent lifted to launch a comeback.


Krystal Coghlan’s crucial intercepts in the mid-court brought her side back into the contest.


Verbena continued to work hard and with some clever feeding to Domaschenz under the post the Saints levelled the scores.


An injury to Saffin forced South to reshuffle their lineup, which seemed to disrupt their structure and scores were locked at 24-all at the final change.


Millicent injected junior Asha Gysbers to WD and her pressure with Coghlan and Verbena at the centre pass resulted in crucial turnovers.


Millicent was able to transition into attack and deliver safely to shooter Bek Millowick who presented well, providing a front option and her impressive long-range shots helped her side build a six goal lead.


With four minutes to play South forged a comeback with McIntyre-Clarke getting vital tips and Ruby Milich transitioning into attack to Harvey who scored five for the quarter.


With 30 seconds to play South had the opportunity to level the scores, however Milllicent’s Coghlan had other plans and stole the opportunity with a telling intercept on the transverse line.


Millicent’s mid court Batten and Verbena maintained possession to starve South of opportunity and Millicent held on for a narrow one goal victory to take the B Grade premiership.


Millicent’s Krystal Coghlan was awarded the best on court medal for her defensive efforts across the four quarters.



C GRADE – SOUTH GAMBIER V NORTH GAMBIER


South Gambier completed the perfect season in C Grade with a 21 goal victory over North Gambier.


After a hard-fought opening quarter, where North stayed well in contention and trailed by only four goals, South stepped it up in the second and third quarter and by the time the final quarter started, that 21 goal final whistle advantage had already been established.


South’s dominance was set up by a strong defensive effort from reigning C Grade league best and fairest Krystie Reid, coach Misty Dalton and the hard-working Jade Jennings, with the trio continually repelling the attacking forays by the Tigers.


Reid snapped up any rebounds on offer, drove hard down court and took a number of interceptions and with Kaitlyn Horrigan running hard through the middle and Brooke Winterfield using her smarts on the attacking wing, there were plenty of scoring opportunities for South shooters Ella Egan and Sam Raedel.


Egan’s final three quarters were outstanding as she netted 30 from 37 in a dominant display, while Raedel converted a perfect 11 from 11 in the second half.


North Gambier’s mid court of Keeley Quinn, Sarah Brown and Deb Edwards worked overtime, not just trying to work the ball through the tough Demons defence but also trying to win the ball back, while the last quarter move of Milly Allen back to goal shooter saw the young goaler score 13 in the final quarter.


In the end, though, the damage had been done, and it was the often unsung hero Jennings who chased down loose balls, took her share of interceptions and also ensured her team mates always had an outlet through the mid court, that earned best on court honours in the victory.



17 & UNDER – NORTH GAMBIER V MILLICENT


It was the dominant North Gambier who secured a 16 goal victory to win the 17 & Under grand final.


The win was set up in the first quarter as they came out of the blocks firing and never looked back.


The match started well with both teams scoring from their centre pass and the mid-courters dominating the play.


Millicent had to work overtime to score as Piper Paul combined with Poppy Venn to find Mylee Lynch on the baseline.


At the other end North’s Maggie Collins and Cara Nulty worked hard through the midcourt using their speed and long-range passing to find GS Stella Mobbs under the post.


Mobbs was the dominant shooter on court using her height and strength to score 13 for the quarter.


The speed of the ball between Collins and Nulty was too much for the Saints defence and North took a 13 goal quarter time lead.


The second quarter was more evenly matched as the Saints picked up their defensive pressure and GD Edie Easterby was able to take timely intercepts deep in the North attack line.


Both midcourts worked overtime to provide drive and set up scoring opportunities.


Mobbs was again the main focus under the post despite the constant pressure from Mackinlee Alcock.


At the other end it was Ava Collins and Ruby Mitchell who applied pressure across the transverse line, causing errors and providing opportunities for their side.


Both sides scored 12 for the quarter.


The third quarter started much the same way with both sides going goal for goal and North making use of the tactical changes, making numerous positional switches.


Macey Griffiths came back on court after a rest and took control of the attack using her speed and smarts to not only shoot long range but find Mobbs at the post.


Easterby continued to rebound any missed shots and transition the ball with Gysbers and North won the quarter by five to hold a match-winning 18 goal lead at the last change.


Both sides made changes at the break and the Saints kept fighting and won the quarter by two goals.


Venn worked hard to set the play for the Saints and Tahnee Grosser entered at GS and teamed well with Venn.


The damage had been done and the talented North side had winners all over the court to win by 16 goals and remain undefeated for the season.


North’s Maggie Collins was awarded best on court for her tireless work in the midcourt as she set the pace in attack and worked just as hard defensively.



15 & UNDER A – MILLICENT V NORTH GAMBIER


Played in perfect weather conditions the 15 & Under A was one of the most exciting matches of the day.


After a goal-for-goal contest, it was the Millicent Saints who recorded a two goal victory to defeat North Gambier.


Both sides started the match nervously, with uncharacteristic errors made through the midcourt.


The ball went end to end until North were able to score the first goal through Mischa Human.


The Saints’ Tahnee Grosser worked overtime in attack as Winnie Zadow made her work for every ball.


At the other end the tight defensive pressure of Jeda Hibberd and Emily Denton helped their side in the contest.


North led by one at the first change.


Millicent made one change, bringing on Lainie Rainsford to WD, replacing Lucy Crowe.


Both sides settled early with better use of the ball through the midcourt.


Sebella Coghlan and Asha Gysbers switched positions halfway through the quarter and the move had an immediate impact as Coghlan used her smarts to feed Kalani Dunn at the post.


At the other end Human was a strong target on the hold and was well-fed by Jenna Baron who hit the circle edge with speed to help her side remain one goal in front at the main break.


The all-important third quarter was again tightly contested as the match went goal for goal.


North’s Lila Pearson stepped up her work rate, driving hard into the circle and scoring from long range.


At the other end the Millient Saints had to work overtime to score as Raine Daramani applied tight pressure on her opponent, Dunn.


Crowe re-entered at WD and made an immediate impact, gaining a crucial intercept and with missed shots rebounded by Denton, the Saints scored late to stay in touch with North as they held their one goal margin.


The last quarter was intense as North gained the early momentum and the crowd got involved, helping them to take a three goal lead.


The Saints were not prepared to lay down and they worked hard defensively to stop the drive of Lacey Hunter and it was Coghlan who gained the crucial intercepts to gain control for the Saints.


Coghlan and Gysbers worked hard in attack to find Grosser on the base and she was supported by Dunn as they scored 11 without a miss.


The Saints took the lead with a minute to play and held on to record a two goal win in a highly skilled contest.


For the Saints it was Kalani Dunn who was awarded best on court.



15 & UNDER B – MILLICENT V NORTH GAMBIER


Millicent dominated the 2024 15 & Under B season and capped it off with a 27 goal grand final victory over North Gambier.


It was a relatively even opening quarter with plenty of errors from both sides as the ball moved up and down the court as the teams traded turnovers.


In the end, though, it was the weight of numbers in that opening quarter with Millicent generating 19 scoring shots to only six for North Gambier and at the first break it was the Saints by six.


It was the second quarter that put the result beyond doubt as Millicent found their connection, while continuing to be relentless in defence and the lead blew out to 18 by the main break.


Amarlie Thomson dominated the second quarter netting 15 from 17 in a superb display of shooting, finishing off the hard work of Scarlett Zalme and Indi Coghlan who were dominating the mid court to find good position on the circle’s edge.


The big lead was also due to the tough defensive work of Lola Ferguson and Audrey Galambos, who were denying the North front line any easy ball, getting a number of important deflections, interceptions and also dominating the rebounding duels.


The second half was a much tighter affair, with Amelie Adam and Ava Halloran upping the ante to make sure scoring was more difficult for the Saints, with Grace Collins and Winnie Zadow placing more pressure on the feed from the Saints mid court.


Lacey Hunter started to find more space as well and she was the main link player all game for the Tigers, however North just could not find enough opportunities to score to have any impact on the deficit.


The Tigers only lost the second half by nine goals but the damage had been done in the opening half.


Ferguson and Thomson were best for the Saints, with Thomson’s impressive shooting performance netting 30 from 35 in the final three quarters earning her best on court honours, while Hunter and Adam were best for North.



13 & UNDER A – MILLICENT V SOUTH GAMBIER


South had challenged the undefeated Saints during the 2024 season but on grand final day the minor premiers refused to give an inch and the Demons’ slow start ensured Millicent remained undefeated with a 25 goal victory.


It was the relentless defensive effort from the Saints that kept forcing the Demons into error with Lacey Sunderland and Prudence Johnson claiming multiple turnovers each, whether they be clean interceptions or clever deflections.


Lacey Sunderland and Lottie Matthews connected well through the mid court to Indi Coghlan, who dominated the quarter.


The reigning 13 & Under A league best and fairest shot eight of Millicent’s nine goals for the quarter as she continually received the ball in space but while Millicent dominated the quarter, the lead was only six goals at the first break.


The match followed a similar script in the second as Johnson and Ferguson smothered the Demons frontline with their pressure and the errors continued to flow with balls ending up out of court or in the hands of their Millicent opponents.


The lead grew to 14 by half time and while the third quarter was a much tighter affair as circle defenders Lucy Noonan and Annelie Peucker, who battled hard all game given the weight of possession the Saints enjoyed, started to create more turnover ball.


However, South just could not generate enough scoring opportunities to make a dent in Millicent’s lead.


Coghlan showed her class in the final quarter, converting a perfect nine from nine as Millicent powered to the premiership.


Peucker had an impressive game for South at goal keeper, while Tegan Sims, Ellie McCracken and Zara Cole ran hard all day to try and find their goalers in space.


Johnson’s ability to continually win the ball back in defence for Millicent earned her the best on court nod, while Coghlan, Sunderland and Ferguson were also keys to the victory.



13 & UNDER B – WEST GAMBIER V MILLICENT


It was the youngest players in the Limestone Coast Football Netball League netball competition who put on the tightest grand final on the day as the 13 & Under B title decider was forced into overtime, with West Gambier securing a one goal victory.


There were plenty of momentum swings in this final as both teams set up opportunities to create buffers but the opposition always fought back.


West looked set to take the title in regulation time, building up as much as a seven goal lead but the young Saints refused to concede and a goal right before full time from Millicent tied up the ball game.


Again it was West setting up the early buffer but Millicent continued to fight back but fortunately for the Roos Aggie Thomas and Molly Thomas kept winning the ball back.


West shooter Phoebe Bonney-Dawson was also pivotal in the frenetic second half and extra time with her long-range finishing that ensured the good work of her teammates ended up on the scoreboard.


Kirra Madden did a similar job for the Saints at the other end, while Raven Johnson had a significant impact in the mid court, not just with her speed on the drive but her ability to scrap for loose balls and creating turnovers just when they were needed the most.


Olivia Hales also produced some critical turnovers for the Saints, especially in that frenetic final quarter fight back.


But in the end, West Gambier’s mid court just kept presenting with Mackenna Povey, Eliza Parham and Isla Stuckey all playing a role defensively, as well as moving the ball down the court to set up scoring opportunities for Bonney-Dawson and Frankie Davey.


The ability of Aggie Thomas to keep winning the ball back, her work over the shot and strong rebounding saw her named best on court.