Bendigo Football League Grand Final netball match reports.GRAND FINALS MATCH REPORTS, SATURDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2009
17/U – SANDHURST V KANGAROO FLAT
1st Quarter 16 v 10
Half time 30 v 23
3rd Quarter 43 v 36
Final score 52 v 47
Best on Court: Abby Gilmore (Sandhurst)
Sandhurst won back to back premierships defeating a fast finishing Kangaroo Flat by five goals in the 17Under grand final. The Hurst’s Jordan Arthur and Stephanie Strachan provided precision passing into the goal circle where goalers, Gabriella Greene and Abby Gilmore were on fire.
The Flat’s goal attack Ellie Fitch started to find form in the second quarter and the Roos scored through the strong drives of wing attack Olivia Jones. Sandhurst wing defence Eilish Dean displayed tremendous determination on a Kangaroo Flat centre pass. Getting a tip to the ball, Dean chased it and managed to keep the ball in play as she did a dive and slide along the asphalt.
Both teams made changes to the mid court line ups in the third quarter. Fitch’s confidence was on the rise shooting a number of long bombs. On one occasion the ball dropped through without touching the ring!
Early in the final quarter the score difference blew out to nine goals but to Flat’s credit they persisted to once again be within four goals. In the end the lead Sandhurst set up in the first quarter prevailed.
B GRADE – SANDHURST V KANGAROO FLAT
1st Quarter 9 v 8
Half time 20 v 15
3rd Quarter 30 v 21
Final Score 40 v 26
Best on Court: Olivia Gedye (Sandhurst)
The B Grade was a closely contested final until rain pelted down at the 13-minute mark of the first quarter. Sandhurst was the first to adjust to the wet, slippery court and through the consistent play of goal attack Karen Dealy shot ahead to a five goal advantage. Kangaroo Flat’s Laura Brooks entertained the crowd when unsure of her footwork shot a goal side on to the goal post.
Kangaroo Flat wing attack Lauren McEwan was a steadying influence in the mid court. Though the Roos had opportunities they were unable to capitalise sufficiently on them to make an impact. Ellie McGrath and Jessica Verbeek shined in the defensive circle but credit to Olivia Gedye whose work rate was second to none. A highlight of her game was a long pass into the goal circle which paid off for a nine goal lead in the third quarter.
Kangaroo Flat made a number of changes to its attacking line up for the final quarter in an effort to revitalise the team. Sandhurst though could smell success and continued on its shooting spree with Eloise Gibbs sealing the victory on a penalty shot after the siren.
A RESERVE – SANDHURST V KANGAROO FLAT
1st Quarter 5 v 6
Half time 14 v 14
3rd Quarter 24 v 21
4th Quarter 38 v 30
Best on Court: Briona Giddings (Sandhurst)
It took until mid point of the third quarter before Sandhurst could gain the upper hand on its opponent, Kangaroo Flat. Goals were at a premium for both teams in the first half with neither team excelling. Flat’s defenders, Kirstie Harvey and Anna Dawson applied great defensive pressure forcing Briona Giddings and Pru Fox to work diligently in and around the goal circle. Flat’s Nina Cass provided leadership on court and a focal point in the goal circle keeping her team in touch at the long break.
Sandhurst lifted its tempo in the third quarter. Fox and Giddings continued to work the ball closer to the goal post to maximise their scoring opportunities. Playing with confidence in its passing throughout the mid court Sandhurst gained a three goal lead.
For the final quarter Sandhurst made a match winning change moving its Jenni Holborn medallist, Giddings to centre and brought veteran goal shooter, Jannaya Webb onto the court for the first time. Giddings was a steadying influence in the mid court whilst the experienced Webb enabled Fox to have more of an impact on the game. The Hurst secured its third premiership for the day.
A GRADE – KANGAROO FLAT V GOLDEN SQUARE
1st Quarter 7 v 8
Half time 18 v 11
3rd Quarter 28 v 19
4th Quarter 38 v 25
Best on Court: Lauren Cowling (Kangaroo Flat)
Kangaroo Flat denied Golden Square the fairytale of back to back premierships defeating it by 13 goals in the Bendigo Bank backed Bendigo Football Netball League A Grade grand final.
In a hotly contested first quarter the score see sawed a number of times as both teams tried to get a semblance of flow into their game. Kangaroo Flat centre, Lauren Cowling, delivered a beautiful pass into the goal circle to a running Samantha Hommelhoff who goaled to once again level the match at 7-7. Hommelhoff combined with goal attack Brooke Emmerson passing with speed and accuracy in the goal circle but shots for goal had to be precise as the rebounds belonged to Golden Square’s defence.
The second quarter began in much the same vein as the first with neither team allowing room for error. An attempt for goal by Golden Square’s Jody Richards spun and popped out of the ring allowing the Flat’s Simone Andrews to gain possession. Flat scored from that opportunity and snatched the lead. Golden Square broke a Kangaroo Flat centre pass and the score was 10-11 in Flat’s favour. Hommelhoff and Emmerson then went on a goal shooting spree scoring seven unanswered goals in the last five minutes of the second quarter to set Kangaroo Flat on its way to victory.
Golden Square attempted to reverse its poor form replacing centre player Jessica Geary with Zoe O’Brien. Kangaroo Flat restricted Golden Square with its formidable defensive line up. Benita Swatton at wing defence contained Lia Marrone who could not do her usual fast paced drives from the mid court into the attacking third. The score blew out to ten goals the difference when Richards scored off a Lucy Spalding save on the base of the goal line. O’Brien called an injury time out and was replaced once again by Geary.
Kangaroo Flat held a nine goal lead at the final break. The only changes made were to Golden Square’s midcourt with Marrone exchanging wing positions with Belinda Pinner. Golden Square tried hard but errors – forced and unforced – became commonplace as the Roos continued to score with ease.
Kangaroo Flat capped off a stellar finals series winning its first premiership since the 2004 season.
By Kylie Ellis
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