17 and UNDER – MILLICENT 57 d SOUTH GAMBIER 51
THE 17 and Under grand final was expected to be a tense goal-for-goal battle and that is exactly how it panned out as the Saints defeated the Demons by six goals.
South started strongly with centre Ellie Bouchier finding plenty of turnover opportunities.
Milla Walmsley drove hard to the circle for the Demons and Alyssa Duncan fed the ball with accuracy to Lara Munro, who netted 13 from 16.
South had the early buffer before Millicent responded late and it was a one-goal game in favour of the Saints at the first change.
The second quarter followed a similar script as the goal-for-goal contest continued.
Hard running from Ella Easterby and Saige Gibson gave the Saints good connection with Annelise Janssen.
Abby Denton also delivered some well-placed balls into her tall shooting partner despite some good pressure from South defenders Chelsea Dunn and Alannah Clayton.
Jade Jennings was disruptive with her ability to earn possessions for South, but the Saints remained composed in attack and Janssen netted 13 from 15 to keep them in front by two at the main break.
Both sides injected fresh legs into the contest at half time and the defensive pressure ramped up even more.
Saints’ defenders Portia McRae and Lauren VanEeden started to make life tough for South goalers with some tight one-on-one pressure.
However, hard running from Bouchier and Chelsea Ryan ensured the supply was still of a high quality.
Millicent still had the better of the quarter, but the Demons remained well in contention.
Lillie Paul, who entered the game at centre had an influence with her hard running, while the precise feeding of Daisy Tunkin was also a factor and at the final change, Millicent held a five-goal buffer.
The Demons earned the early touches in the fourth, but a few errors started to come at the attacking end.
The physical pressure of McRae and VanEeden saw enough turnover ball created to ensure the Saints held on to claim the premiership.
Jannsen earned the best-on-court medal for her sharpshooting proficiency.
