A Grade – KALANGADOO v HATHERLEIGH
The Mid South Eastern Netball Association continues its finals this weekend, with Kalangadoo and Hatherleigh to go head-to-head in the second semi-final at Glencoe.
Kalangadoo will look to keep its unblemished record in tact, as it finished the minor rounds undefeated at the top of the ladder.
Hatherleigh recruited well in the off season and have a good mix of experience and youth and when the two sides met earlier in the season, it was Kalangadoo that claimed the honours, but by just four goals.
Unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic and close-down of sport in the state put paid to a rematch prior to finals.
Kalangadoo has a world of finals experience, with the goalie combination of Melissa Russell and Abbey Duncan unshakeable, with both making the 2021 MSENA Team of the Year.
Russell’s determination and leadership is invaluable, while Duncan is a hard worker and effective play maker.
Through the middle they have a few options.
Coach Jayde Peacock has had another ipressive season while Jane Auld is an unassuming player with a terrific work rate in offence and defence.
The Magpies defence line of Chloe Pratt, Mikaila Pitt and Chelsea Croser have been nothing short of brilliant,with their pressure second to none.
Kalangadoo is also well supported by talented juniors in the club, Kori Collins and Sophie Wrightson.
For Hatherleigh, its goalie combination is strong.
Keston Green returned to the game this year after a couple of years off, has enjoyed her netball and her knowledge and experience will prove invaluable on Saturday.
She teams well with youngster Lacey Haines who has had an incredible season.
She is a speedy and accurate goalie who also works hard on her defensive game.
Tegan Merrett made the move from Port MacDonnell to Hatherleigh this year and took on the co-coaching role.
She is a speedy mid-courter who covers a lot of ground and brings experience and positivity to the court.
Sarah Faulkner is a another who brings a wealth of knowledge to the Eagles, has had a consistent season and will call on her experience to keep the ship steady.
Their defence line in young Lara McGregor, Maddie Pulmer, Sarah Broadhead and Maddie Redman are all talented netballers, with a mix of speed, experience, strong and smart netball between them.
Chelsea Galpin also made a late start to the season due to pregnancy and has had a positive impact since her return.
Junior Rosie Nettle is a talented back up for the Eagles and while she has had a bad run with injury, she has shown great maturity when she has taken to the court, using her speed to her advantage in the mid-court.
Accuracy will be important to the outcome of this game, with either side worthy to progress straight through to the grand final.
A Reserve – KALANGADOO v GLENCOE
The A Reserve match sees Kalangadoo take on Glencoe.
Kalangadoo have been the stand out team of the competition all year, taking top spot on the ladder at the completion of the minor rounds.
The Magpies have had a few players unavailable throughout the season and have showed their versatility with positional changes and their depth in the junior ranks.
Anthea Paterson should line up after having two separate injuries and the Magpies would welcome her experience.
Ebony McDiarmid has missed some games due to work commitments but still played enough netball to earn the league best and fairest.
Kylie Schultz will be one to watch in defence, along with Shanen Pulkkinen.
For Glencoe, the defence line of Tameka Medhurst and Chloe Pfitzner have been impressive through the year and present as a danger to opposition goalies.
They are well supported by April VonDuve and Jess Gosden on the circle.
In goals is Malinda Markiewicz who brings a lot of knowledge and finals experience to the team.
When the teams have met through the season, it has been Kalangadoo with the wins, but in the most recent encounter Kalangadoo claimed the win by only three goals.
B Grade – KALANGADOO v GLENCOE
Kalangadoo will also line up in B Grade to again take on Glencoe.
The teams met just two weeks ago and it was Kalangadoo that came away with a nine-goal win.
Kalangadoos goalies in Gina Gogel and Isobel Giddings were important players in that match and will be relied upon again to get the job done against a tough Glencoe defence.
Through the middle Jessica Blackmore and Jolie Crowhurst, while Nicole Reeves has had an outstanding season for the Magpies.
Glencoe will see the return of Hayley Greenfield into the attack line-up, alongside Zoe Parham-Hawke and Chloe Watson.
Watson has been in outstanding form all season, taking out the league best and fairest award.
Glencoe has plenty of depth in their goal circle, shooters Kayla Medhurst, Abbie Cocks and Bianca Easterbrook all capable players.
This should be a close encounter, with both teams needing to settle quickly to get the jump.
B Reserve – HATHERLEIGH v KALANGADOO
Hatherleigh takes on Kalangadoo in the B Reserve final, with the Eagles finishing top of the ladder, just ahead of the Magpies.
Hatherleigh has a good mix of experience and youth, with Staci Faulkner a determined player who brings a wealth of netball knowledge in the mid-court or defence.
Di Loveday has grown in confidence this season and is an accurate goalie, who teams well with Indi Marshall playing her first senior year of netball.
Karen Bowman has missed some time with injury but has been a positive influence since her return.
Kalangadoo won the only encounter earlier this year to the tune of 24 goals.
Since then they lost Abby Hartland with a season-ending injury, with Lisa Ilsley into the team to cover the defender.
Kalangadoo boasts a strong goalie combination, with Rhianna May and Jodi Greenwood.
May was awarded the leagues best and fairest award and combined with Greenwood provide accuracy in goal.
Bianca Thorne and Imogene Ryan are strong for the Magpies through the middle, while Deb Mulligan will be another stand out for Kalangadoo.
It will be another entertaining contest.
17 and Under – HATHERLEIGH v KALANGADOO
In the top junior grade, Hatherleigh takes on Kalangadoo.
Hatherleigh finished just ahead of Kalangadoo at the end of the minor round and boast talent from one end of the court to the other.
Their goalies are a strong and dangerous combination.
Dakota Hateley drives the base line hard, shoots with accuracy and gets her hands to any missed shots to give her team a second look.
She teams up with Lacey Haines who has had a stellar season, taking out the 17’s league best and fairest, the junior consistency award, joint winner of the under 21 award and also making the Senior Team of the Year.
She is an accurate and dominate goalie who possesses both attacking and defensive skills to create countess turnovers.
Jasmyne Bellinger is strong through the middle and feeds her goalies with precision.
In defence for the Eagles, Rosie Nettle is a small, but agile and speedy defender.
She teams well with Elly Redden who has also had a great season.
However, Kalangadoo also has a wealth of talent and experience, with a versatile team that can play a variety of positions.
Their goalie combination of Shelby Ryan and Kori Collins is strong, creative and accurate.
Sophie Wrightson is strong through the middle and has had an outstanding season, finishing joint runner-up in the league best and fairest.
In defence Emily Mulraney and Holly Watson have developed into a dynamic defensive duo, getting hands to loose balls and creating many turnovers.
The teams have only met once this year and it was Hatherleigh that took the win by seven goals.
That was way back in Round 6 and both teams would have improved and grown since then.
It will be another exciting contest.
15 and Under – MOUNT BURR v HATHERLEIGH
In the first match of the day, Mount Burr takes on Hatherleigh, after the Mozzies secured top spot on the ladder at the end of the minor rounds.
Mount Burr is a talented team that has shown versatility and adaptbility.
They are a tall side mixed with speed and agility.
Hatherleigh finished in second this year and also boast plenty of talent.
They have players who are able to play either end of the court and will not be afraid to make changes should they need too, adapting with ease.
Bella Poulish and Niah Faulkner are dangerous shooters for the Eagles and the Mozzies will have to apply plenty of pressure in the circle.
Some of that pressure could come from Abbey Falting asa she plays a floating GD and will pick off balls from her unsuspecting opposition.
In goals for the Mozzies will likely be Jasmine Holland and Jemma Bowering, who have a high work rate and finish off with accuracy.
Mount Burr leads the head-to-head results this season, having an easy win in their first match but only getting up by a goal the last time they met.
Finals are a different ball game and this one should be a great contest.
13 and Under – KALANGADOO v HATHERLEIGH
In the youngest battle of the day, Kalangadoo will take on Hatherleigh.
Kalangadoo finished top of the ladder and remain undefeated, with no team getting close to them all season.
It really is the next generation of brilliance coming through for the Magpies.
Chloe Peacock has had an outstanding season, winning the 15 and Under best and fairest award while still eligible and playing in this 13’s team.
Likewise, Tegan Lythgo has also competed in both grades.
Shayden Russell was runner up in the 13’s league best and fairest and is a versatile player in the mid-court or in goals.
Alice Allen is also another dangerous player for the Magpies, she is capable of playing any position on the court and is a clever player, able to read the ball extremely well.
Hatherleigh finished in second position and also have some incredible young players.
Kalli Nettle won the league best and fairest after an outstanding season, is a creative player who can play anywhere on court and enjoys a great contest.
Alex Haines will be another player to watch, Alex is also a versatile player who has enjoyed a stellar season in defence.
Poppy Fitzgerald has had a great season, developing into a tight-checking defender who also reads the play well.
The teams have only met once this season and it was Kalangadoo who were victorious by over 20 goals.
While the Hatherleigh girls will give their absolute all, it is hard to see anyone getting close to Kalangadoo this year.
