EFNL Netball Review – Finals Edition
We saw four sides win ultimate glory in the Bendigo Bank Netball Competition, whilst week two of the top sections was full of surprises in a historic season of netball.
Section 1
Preliminary Final: Croydon 56 def by East Ringwood Black 62
A high scoring and entertaining affair, for a shot against the team to beat, East Burwood Black. Coming in, Croydon was the form team head-to-head having won their previous two outings. However, East Ringwood Black brought the heat early taking a 13-goal lead into the third quarter before, a relentless Croydon fought back hard to reduce the margin to three goals heading into the final quarter. Croydon once again came at East Ringwood Black, but to East Ringwood Black’s credit, they dug deep and ran away with the win.
A trio of goal scorers from East Ringwood Black, Emily Salmon, Imojean Parsons and Molly Heymanson scored 27, 18 and 17 goals respectively and were the spark required. The trio will be need to fire to give East Burwood Black their first loss of the season on Friday.
Section 2
Preliminary Final: Coldstream Grey 27 def Croydon North MLOC 21
A fast start from Coldstream Grey was the catalyst for their victory against Croydon North MLOC. Heading into finals, the pair had faced each other in the lead up with Coldstream Grey victors.
It would’ve taken an almighty performance by Croydon North MLOC, particularly when trailing by 10 goals heading into the final quarter and despite their best efforts the mountain was too hard to climb.
Coldstream Grey pair, Tarsha Collette and Lara Wandin-Collins scored 14 and 13 goals respectively with Coldstream Grey getting a shot at redemption against Vermont Eagles Gold in the grand final after previously being defeated in semi final two by a solitary goal.
Section 3
Preliminary Final: Lilydale Gold 19 def by East Ringwood Blue 21
Coming into finals Lilydale Gold had an untimely loss to a potential rival East Ringwood Blue. Coincidentally both sides matched up for a spot in the decider with East Ringwood Blue advancing to take on The Basin Cubs, winning in nail-biting fashion.
East Ringwood Blue led at each break; however, Lilydale Gold gave an almighty push late to snatch victory but were not able to make up a deficit of three goals in the final quarter.
East Ringwood Blue shared the goals with trio, Nikki Anderson, Grace Bain and Taylor Egan who shot nine, seven and five goals respectively.
Section 4
Preliminary Final: Park Orchards Black 34 def Heathmont White 25
With a spot in the Grand Final on the line, both sides wanted to have a fast start, with the Sharks edging the early stages to lead by two goals after a tight first quarter. However, from then on, it was all Park Orchards Black who dominated the match taking an eight-goal lead into the final quarter and were ultimately too strong for a bold Heathmont White. The duo of Pinwill and Tilley were important with 13 and 12 goals respectively.
Section 5
Grand Final: Vermont Eagles Purple 33 def Upper Ferntree Gully Blue 25
The fairytale finals run for Upper Ferntree Gully Blue was not to be, as Vermont Eagles Purple were too strong in an entertaining final. The duo of Stephanie Issa and Jessica Scida from Vermont Eagles Purple was a crucial part of their victory contributing 17 and 16 goals each. The star in attack for Upper Ferntree Gully Blue was Nikeisha Grant with her 15 goals not enough to get across the line, with Vermont’s Alana Stoikos adjudged the winner of the Blue-Ribbon Medalist for best on court after a tireless performance.
Section 6
Grand Final: Coldstream White 31 def Glen Waverley Hawks Yellow 24
The two best sides all season fittingly battled it out for glory in Section Six on Friday Night, and it was Coldstream White who came out on top defeating Glen Waverley Hawks Yellow to continue their perfect record of four wins against the Hawks this season. Sarah Billingham and Emma-Lee Jakobs worked in tandem in front of goal scoring 20 and 11 goals respectively, whilst Glen Waverley Hawks Yellow’s own Tianah Shane scored 12 goals of her own in a losing battle.
Section 7
Grand Final: Heathmont Yellow 29 def Coldstream Blue 21
Finishing the season with one loss to their name, Heathmont Yellow was always going to be difficult to beat and their victory against a gallant Coldstream Blue was no exception. Skylar Browne and Paige Lesiputty were vital in front of goal with 17 and 12 goals, while Coldstream Blue’s own Laura Atkins contributed 12 goals.
Sara Zaehariah for Heathmont Yellow who starred being award the Blue-Ribbon Medalist for section Seven, helping guide the Jets to an impressive Premiership after a brilliant Home and Away campaign.
Section 8
Grand Final: The Basin Grizzlies 33 def East Burwood White 20
The Basin were the team to beat all season long and lived up to the hopes of favoritism in a fiercely fought match, holding the Rams at bay for most of the evening, East Burwood White were brave during their finals run but were ultimately stopped by a dominant Grizzlies side at the final time of asking.
The Basin’s Kate Watson was awarded the Blue Ribbon Medal for best on ground with her 24 goals a massive part in their Premiership success.