FOUR teams will be crowned Bendigo Bank Netball EFL champions on Friday night as they take centre-stage for the divisions 4-7 grand finals.
Joseph Arthur previews all the action:
Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 4 – Montrose Flames v Upper Ferntree Gully Red – 8.15pm, HE Parker Court 1, Heathmont
Montrose Flames will hope to continue their dream finals run after knocking off minor premiers Norwood Gold by two goals in a shock preliminary final upset. Upper Ferntree Gully Red will be careful not to underestimate the Flames and will be wary of the fact they only beat them by one goal the last time the two sides met in Round 10. Kristy-Lea Wilson is the one the Flames need to stop if they are to complete the dream finals run after she scored 29 for Upper Ferntree Gully last weekend.
Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 5 – Nunawading Lions v Ringwood Black – 8.15pm, HE Parker Court 3, Heathmont
Ringwood Black earned another crack at minor premiers Nunawading Lions after defeating Coldstream Blue by two goals in the preliminary final. Nunawading defeated Ringwood in the second semi-final by only four goals two weeks ago and will be wary of the threat the Redbacks pose. Ringwood will be quietly confident it can take the cake this Friday night after its competitive effort last time out and will lean on the offense of Michelle Hawker who scored 15 goals against Coldstream Blue a week ago. However, Nunawading remains favourite in this match-up having only suffered one loss to date.
Bendigo Bank Netball EFL EFL Division 6 – Balwyn Tigers v South Belgrave Red – 7pm, HE Parker Court 1, Heathmont
After an undefeated regular season and a minor premiership, South Belgrave Red was beaten by Balwyn Tigers to the tune of three goals in its first final two weeks ago. After defeating Glen Waverley Hawks Yellow last weekend, South Belgrave has another chance to defeat Balwyn, this time however, there’s no tomorrow for the loser. Balwyn will be looking to pull off its second shock-upset in a row and do the unthinkable; defeat a previously undefeated side twice in a row. South Belgrave will give Balwyn’s Olivia Clear plenty of attention after she scored 16 goals in the semi-final, setting up the upset for her Tigers.
Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 7 – Glen Waverley Black v The Basin Bears – 7pm, HE Parker Court 3, Heathmont
The Basin Bears’ dream finals run is alive after defeating minor premiers Lilydale Yellow by five goals. After only just scraping into finals after losing twice as many games as it won, The Basin Bears have looked like a new team come finals, pulling off two monumental upsets. The Basin will meet Glen Waverley Black who remains the favourites in this contest, fresh off the week off after defeating Lilydale Yellow in its first final. Glen Waverley will look to shut down Kayla Nealy, who has galvanised The Basin’s dream run in finals scoring 16 and 22 goals in the two games respectively. Can the Bears pull of a grand final stunner, or will Glen Waverley put an end to their run? It was Glen Waverley that won the two sides’ most recent match-up by 10 goals.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Admission is FREE across all Netball EFL finals.
Please click the relevant link below for Premier Division – Division 3 finals series fixtures:
The EFL congratulates and wishes good luck to all competing sides.
