By Wil Spence
What a Friday night of netball for the Bendigo Bank EFNL Women’s Netball Competition. Sections One to Four with one home and away game left, Sections Five to Eight beginning their finals campaign with some controversy, nail-biting matches, finals like fever and underdog sensations. Wherever you’re, get nice and cosy because finals is here!
Section 1
Lilydale Falcons 63 def Ferntree Gully Eagles Blue 32
With percentage on their side, all Lilydale Falcons had to do was defeat Ferntree Gully Eagles Blue and book their spot in finals. Win with style they did, almost doubling the score of their opponent with Taniesha Luiyf and Kirralee Luiyf scoring 32 and 21 goals together in an impressive display of attack which could prove dangerous in finals. Lilydale Falcons will take on East Ringwood Black for a spot in the second week of finals against the loser of East Burwood Black and Croydon.
East Burwood Black 64 def Heathmont Jets 46
East Ringwood Black 41 def by East Burwood Rams 43
Croydon 46 def by Knox Falcons 55
Section 2
Vermont Eagles 38 def The Basin Kodiaks 24
With the hopes of potential securing top spot on the ladder, the Eagles ensured they took some momentum into week one finals with a comprehensive win against The Basin Kodiaks. If Coldstream Grey lost to Croydon North MLOC, top spot would’ve been theirs. However, Coldstream have taken home the minor premiership and are booked in to face the Vermont Eagles in semi final two. Chelsea Smith was impressive with 21 goals. Meanwhile Croydon North MLOC have booked third spot on the ladder and will face Scoresby Magpies Black in a do-or-die match to stay alive.
Croydon North MLOC 27 def by Coldstream Grey 42
Oakleigh Districts 25 def by Kilsyth Cougars 32
Warrandyte Swans White def by Scoresby Magpies Black
Section 3
East Ringwood Blue 31 def Lilydale Gold 27
Looking the team to beat for much of the season, Lilydale Gold have been given a scare heading into finals losing to potential finals opponent East Ringwood Blue in nail-biting fashion. Scores were level heading into the final quarter with a final like feel with East Ringwood Blue’s attack of Nikki Anderson and Taylor Egan proving to dominant scoring 18 and 11 goals respectively. East Ringwood Blue will now take on Vermont Eagles White in semi final one with the winner going on to play the loser of Lilydale Gold and The Basin Cubs which shapes as an amazing final campaign.
Montrose Demons 31 def Mulgrave Red 26
Vermont Eagles White 46 def Glen Waverley Hawks Blue 25
The Basin Cubs 38 def Whitehorse Pioneers 23
East Burwood Grey 20 def by Kilsyth Cougars Black 35
Section 4
East Burwood Silver 28 def by Heathmont White 35
The equation was simple, win and a spot in the finals is booked, and that’s exactly what Heathmont White did. Both sides were sitting on nine wins and seven losses, so you couldn’t have scripted a better way to finish the home and away season with both sides fighting it out for the final spot in finals. Heathmont White were the fast starters leading at halftime, but East Burwood Silver fought back to even the scores heading into the final quarter. No one could have predicted what happened next. Heathmont White piled on 13 goals in the final quarter to win comfortably by seven goals to book a spot in semi final one against Montrose Flames. Jessica Hall scored a mammoth 24 goals for the victors. With momentum who knows how far this side can go?
Park Orchards 27 def by Silvan Cats 20
Nunawading Lions Gold 43 def Boronia Gold 15
Ferntree Gully Eagles Yellow 12 def by Mulgrave Blue 28
Montrose Flames 44 def Glen Waverley Hawks White 17
Section 5
Semi Final One: Upper Ferntree Gully Blue def Balwyn Tigers
Semi Final Two: Vermont Eagles Purple 30 def Chirnside Park Panthers 21
Coming into the match with the same record, it was anyone’s game between Vermont and Chirnside Park, but with finals anything is possible. Vermont Eagles Purple were dominant early taking a five-goal lead into the second quarter and never looked back from there withstanding any potential momentum shift from the Panthers. Kellie Phillips was instrumental in attack scoring 21 goals. Vermont Eagles Purple will now have a week off before the grand final where they may face Chirnside Park Panthers again.
Section 6
Semi Final One: Boronia Brown 25 def by Ringwood Black 28
One of the matches of the season, as Ringwood Black came out on top in an amazing change of momentum in the second half when it looked as if Boronia Brown were going to be playing against Glen Waverley Hawks Yellow in the second week of finals. Crucial late goals proved pivotal for Ringwood with Lilly Dowling and Abbey Jordanov scoring 15 and 13 goals respectively. A win against Glen Waverley Hawks Yellow will gift them a spot in the grand final against Coldstream White.
Semi Final Two: Coldstream White 33 def Glen Waverley Hawks Yellow 21
Section 7
Semi Final One: Coldstream Blue 29 def Waverley Blues Red 19
Nerves of steal from Coldstream Blue who continue onto the second week of finals. Early dominance in the first half gave Coldstream the advantage and was a bridge too far for Waverley Blues Red to comeback from. Coldstream Blue’s own Laura Atkins was crucial with 20 goals.
Coldstream will now face Montrose Storm for a spot in the grand final against Heathmont Yellow.
Semi Final Two: Heathmont Yellow 29 def Montrose Storm 19
Section 8
Semi Final One: Scoresby Magpies Grey 25 def by East Burwood White 27
An opportunity gone begging for the Magpies, leading East Burwood White by one goal heading into the final change, before an avalanche of goals in the final quarter from the victors was too much for the Magpies to withstand being run over the top to lose by two goals. In a fantastic elimination game, the three-pronged attack of East Burwood White was the catalyst with Meghan Watson, Sasha Frolley and Grace Sketcher scoring 13, eight and 6 goals respectively. They will now take on Mulgrave Yellow for a spot in the grand final against The Basin Grizzlies.
Semi Final Two: The Basin Grizzlies 39 def Mulgrave Yellow 32
