A RESERVE – NORTH GAMBIER 47 d MILLICENT 39
THE North Gambier and Millicent A Reserve netball clash lived up to the expectations of being a tight matchup as both teams went goal-for-goal in wild weather.
In the end, it was the Tigers who put their foot in the door for the grand final, taking the win out of the Saints’ hands by eight goals.
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 the Tigers’ 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.
A strong second quarter was in store for North, with Pearson being the well-fed target 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, while Lynch continued to work hard to help the Saints win the quarter by one.
Both sides changed at the main break with Pitt moving to goal shooter and O’Shaughnessy to wing defence, while juniors Maggie Collins and Cara Nulty entered the mid court.
Pitt used her strength in the goal circle, scored seven straight and was well supported by Alycia Pitson, who created the play-in attack and consistently filtered through important possessions.
Millicent kept working hard as the fresh legs of Poppy Venn at wing attack 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 entering in goal shooter.
Venn worked well with Dunn in the circle, as Dunn used 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.
When the dust settled, the final score was tilted in the favour of the Tigers, closing out at 47-39.
B GRADE – SOUTH GAMBIER 42 d MILLICENT 35
MILLICENT and South Gambier’s contest for the grand final proved to be a hard-fought one as the Demons conquered the heavens to beat the Saints in the second B Grade semi final.
The final margin was split by seven goals in favour of South.
It was even at the first break with South up by one at half time, the Demons extending that to five at the final change before winning the final quarter by two.
Mel Harvey was always going to be a key player in the contest as she showed nerves of steel in the opening half to convert 17 from 19.
Harvey used her speed on the drive to great effect, finding her self 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 upped the ante 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 silence 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 had a noticeable impact at the defensive end of the court, as scoring was more difficult for the Demons.
However, with Ruby Milich taking the wing defence bib, her speed was able to match Verbena which not only created some critical turnovers but was also 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 Verbean 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 50 d NORTH GAMBIER 30
SOUTH Gambier demonstrated its dominance on the court, extending its undefeated streak in 2024 to 17 and 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 the Tigers’ 46.
The accurate finishing of Milly Allen and Jess Dempster helped the Tigers stay in touch in the opening half, while put the margin at a mere seven at the main break.
Sarah Brown fought a great battle with Kaitlyn Horrigan in the opening half.
In the end, it was the ability of Misty Dalton and Krystie Reid to deny North easy scoring opportunities and continually turn the ball over for their team mates which 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 moving into centre.
Kahlia Egan also entered the clash on the defensive wing and then goal defence as North tried everything to stop the goals bleeding through from South goalers Ella Egan and Sam Raedel.
Ella Egan and Reid ensured the answers remained a mystery for North, as they secured the first spot in the grand final.
Jade Jennings also took some well timed interceptions which ensured South always had the edge.
Brown and Deb Edwards, who was a key in the mid court, were best for North.
