Border Mail | A SPECTACULAR goal shooting display from Jane Cook has propelled Wodonga into the Ovens and Murray Netball League A grade grand final with a 57-54 win against Yarrawonga at Birallee Park on Saturday.
The second semi-final was played in warm and taxing conditions and Cook was in red-hot form for the Bulldogs in scoring 54 of the team's 57 goals at a remarkable 99 per cent shooting percentage.
Cook has bounced back strongly from a down game in the final round of the season to shoot 46 and 54 goals in back-to-back finals matches as the Bulldogs chase their first A grade flag since 2004.
So dominant was Cook, the Bulldogs’ goal attack Rebecca Cameron didn't score the first of her three goals for the match until late in the third term.
The only downside for the Bulldogs was a game-ending knee injury in the second quarter to coach Liona Edwards.
She said the Bulldogs would relish the extra recovery time before the grand final.
"We've just come out of winter and the heat zaps you a little bit," she said.
"But I thought we looked a bit fitter than them and ran the game out better.
"Our defenders kept going and Anna (Avery) in the centre was the general as usual."
Maggie Young was strong in defence for Wodonga, but the Pigeons led at quarter time by two goals before stretching the margin to four in the second term.
Edwards was replaced at wing attack by Steph Gorman, who helped the Bulldogs fightback to level the scores at half-time 31-all.
Maggie Young and Rebekah Ohlin swapped defensive positions at half-time and the Pigeons also made a change with Hannah Symes switched to goal keeper.
Symes had an immediate impact with some crucial intercepts to give the Pigeons a 35-33 lead.
Pigeons’ mid-court ace Laura Bourke had a breather late in the third quarter as Wodonga fought back to lead 44-40 at the last change.
Yarrawonga closed the margin to two goals late in the match with Bridget Cassar and Abbey Jones sharing the goal-scoring load.
Edwards will have her knee checked out early this week and hopes to be fit for the grand final.
"It's a wait and see at the moment," she said.
"I am back walking on it and will brace it up as a precaution, but I really don't know.
"It just shows what I've been talking about all year and that is the depth we've got."
Yarrawonga will play Albury in the preliminary final after the Tigers scored an overtime win against Lavington in the first semi-final on Sunday.
Scores were tied 31-all at full-time before the Tigers outscored the Panthers 5-3 in extra time to win 36-34.
ON TARGET: Wodonga's Jane Cook was in superb form with 54 goals in the second semi-final.
HOT CONTEST: Sarah Thomas (Wodonga) and Laura Bourke (Yarrawonga) battle for the ball in the second semi-final at Birallee Park on Saturday. Pictures: ELENOR TEDENBORG
MID COURT DYNAMO: Yarrawonga's Laura Bourke worked overtime in the centre.
TAKE AIM: Abbey Jones.
LEADING THE WAY: Pigeons coach Bridget Cassar shot 30 goals in the second semi-final.
