By Christopher Kourtis.
The regular season came to an end in Divisions 1 to 4, as Divisions 5 to 9 played out the first round of the finals series. Take a look at how each team faired as we reach the pointy end of the 2023 Bendigo Bank Netball season.
Division One
East Ringwood Black (57) def. FTG Eagles Blue (32)
East Burwood Rams (54) lost to East Burwood Black (65)
Coldstream Grey (63) def. Lilydale Falcons (31)
Vermont Eagles Gold (43) lost to Croydon (58)
The final round of the regular season in Division 1 was fairly straightforward.
Croydon picked up another win, ending their season with a 15-2 record following their triumph of Vermont Eagles Gold.
Elsewhere in Division One, East Burwood Black beat their fellow East Burwood team by 11 points. The win was not enough to overtake East Ringwood Black, who stay in second place due to a superior percentage.
Next week, East Burwood Black will take on Vermont Eagles Gold in Semi Final 1 in a win-or-go-home fixture. Coldstream Grey will face East Ringwood Black in Semi Final 2, where the loser will play in the Preliminary Final next week. The winner will go straight through to the Grand Final.
The same finals structure will be in effect across all divisions.
Division Two
Oakleigh District White (31) lost to Croydon North MLOC (34)
Blackburn Black (26) lost to Vermont Eagles Yellow (27)
Heathmont Jets (26) lost to Bayswater Gold (36)
Knox Falcons (43) def. East Ringwood Blue (33)
Kilsyth Cougars (19) lost to Coldstream Black (41)
There were upsets across Division Two, yet there was no major movement on the ladder.
Oakleigh District White lost to Croydon North MLOC in a closely fought encounter. Despite the win, Croydon North missed out on a finals spot by just two points.
Knox defeated East Ringwood Blue after being level at half time. The two will face off again in Semi Final 1 in a knockout game. Semi Final 2 will see Coldstream Black play Oakleigh District White.
Division Three
The Basin Cubs (46) def. Vermont Eagles Violet (22)
Heathmont White (52) def. Montrose Demons (17)
Nunawading Lions Gold (42) def. The Basin Kodiaks (29)
Heathmont Yellow (29) lost to Lilydale Gold (39)
Boronia Gold (43) def. Chirnside Park Panthers Yellow (38)
East Burwood Grey (26) lost to Vermont Eagles White (27)
All finals-bound team finished the regular season with great momentum.
Each Top 4 team picked up a win, with Vermont Eagles White edging past East Burwood Grey.
The Basin Cubs will play host to Vermont Eagles White in Semi Final 1, as Heathmont White will play Lilydale Gold in Semi Final 2.
Division Four
Montrose Flames (41) def. Kilsyth Cougars Red (31)
East Ringwood Teal (26) def. Silvan Cats (25)
Oakleigh District Black (32) lost to Park Orchards Black (35)
Kilsyth Cougars Black (46) def. Vermont Eagles Purple (22)
FTG Eagles White (43) def. UFTG Red (37)
Having already secured a finals berth, two of the Top 4 teams picked up losses in Round 17.
Vermont Eagles Purple were blown out by Kilsyth Cougars Red, whilst Oakleigh District White lost to Park Orchards Black by just three points.
Oakleigh District Black will fight for a spot in the Preliminary Final against Kilsyth Cougars Black in Semi Final 1, whilst Vermont Eagles Purple host the Montrose Flames in Semi Final 2.
Division Five
Balwyn Tigers (18) lost to Park Orchards Red (33)
Silvan Cats Blue (32) lost to Vermont Eagles Lilac (38)
Park Orchards Red picked up a big win in Semi Final 1, as Balwyn only hit double digit points in the third quarter. On the other hand, Jessica Black finished the game with 23 points, booking Park Orchards a spot in the Preliminary Final.
In Semi Final 2, Vermont Eagles Lilac picked up a comprehensive win, leading the game at all major breaks. Ashlyn Bear’s 32 points took the game away from Silvan, as the Eagles booked their place in the Grand Final.
Silvan Cats Blue will play Park Orchards Red in the Preliminary Final. The winner will face Vermont Eagles Lilac in the Grand Final.
Division Six
East Ringwood White (28) def. Vermont Eagles Black (22)
GWH Yellow (40) def. Chirnside Park Panthers (23)
Division Six featured possibly the best finals game of this past weekend.
East Ringwood White had a comeback win in Semi Final 1 against Vermont Eagles Black. Down at half time, East Ringwood fought back to win the second half 12-5, winning the game and earning their spot in the Preliminary Final.
Semi Final 2 featured a close first half, however GWH Yellow ran away with the match in the second half to beat the Chirnside Park Panthers.
Next week, the Chirnside Park Panthers will host East Ringwood White in the Preliminary Final. GWH Yellow await the winner in the Grand Final.
Division Seven
Coldstream Blue (33) def. FTG Eagles Yellow (20)
Waverley Blues Red (21) lost to Montrose Thunder (23)
Coldstream Blue built upon a terrific second quarter to win Semi Final 1. Coldstream held FTG Eagles Yellow to just two points in Quarter Two, laying the foundations for a great performance.
Semi Final 2 was much more of a close encounter. The biggest deficit at any break was only two points, however the Montrose Thunder pulled through to win the game.
The Preliminary Final will be between Waverley Blues Red and Coldstream Blue. The winner will play in the Grand Final against the Montrose Thunder.
Division Eight
South Belgrave Saints (21) lost to Waverley Blues Blue (24)
The Basin Grizzlies (21) lost to Montrose Storm (27)
Waverley Blues Blue got the better of the South Belgrave Saints in Semi Final 1, walking away with a three point victory.
The Montrose Storm won Semi Final 2, beating The Basin Grizzlies.
Montrose Storm have now secured a spot in the Grand Final, where they will play the winner of the Preliminary Final between The Basin Grizzlies and Waverley Blues Blue.
Division Nine
Chirnside Park Panthers Black (22) def. Nunawading Lions Maroon (21)
Norwood Gold (31) def. Montrose Heat (12)
In Semi Final 1, Chirnside Park Panthers Black held off a late charge from Nunawading Lions Maroon to win by one point.
Norwood Gold blew out the Montrose Heat in Semi Final 2. The Heat were held to just two points in the first, third and fourth quarters.
The Montrose Heat will play Chirnside Park Panthers Black in the Preliminary Final. The winner will face Norwood Gold in the Grand Final.