By: Jessie Hare
NetballEFL finals began for our Premier/Premier Reserve, Division’s 1 and 2 last week which saw a couple of comfortable wins as well as some nail-biters.
For Divisions 3 through to 6 it was their second round of finals and teams were playing for spots in grand finals, so they had to leave everything they had out on court.
For Premier/Premier Reserve, minor premiers Fairpark led the way after an even first quarter. Van Dreumel scored 27 goals in her sides 19-goal win against Boronia, with Rush scoring 32 for Boronia. Wantirna South Devils breezed through their game against Scoresby after 20 goals to 5 first quarter, Woodgate again staring in the goal circle with 45 goals in their 69-36 goal win. This means Fairpark and Wantirna South Devils will face each other in the first grand final on August 31. Lilydale were able to stay on top of Wantirna South Devils Reserve to knock them out of the finals race, 52-48. Luiyf leading the way for Lilydale on 28 goals while Graham had 36 for Wantirna. Blackburn proved too good for Mulgrave with Moore scoring 28 goals in her sides 21-goal win, which then knocks Mulgrave out of finals. This means, in round two of finals Boronia will face Heathmont and Scoresby will play Blackburn. The two winning sides will move into the two spots in the second grand final for the division.
In Division 1, a low scoring start to the Heathmont versus Knox game saw Heathmont come away with the 30-27 goal win. Heathmont was led by the goaling duo of Abbruzzese and Goulding. South Croydon marched their way to a grand final spot after they defeated Fairpark by 21 goals, Sands standing out for the Dogs with 25 goals. This means, Heathmont and Fairpark will play off for that second spot in the grand final on Friday night.
In Division 2, it was Croydon who delivered an upset when they defeated Ferntree Gully by just three goals. It was a tight game for all four quarters, but Croydon was the side that led at every break. Vermont showed why the finished in top spot as they defeated Kilsyth 33-18, for the week off and cementing a spot in the grand final. This means, Kilsyth and Croydon will play off in the preliminary final this week.
Division 3 had their preliminary final between Mulgrave and Heathmont. It was Mulgrave who came out of the blocks firing, proving why they deserved that second grand final spot. A 10 goals to 5 third quarter got them over line by 18 goals.
In Division 4’s preliminary final, it was the closest game of the night. Glen Waverley Hawks lead at quarter time, Boronia led at half time then it was even at three quarter time. It was all about who had enough left in the tank to run out the final quarter and it was Glen Waverley who came out eventual winners by just two goals.
Division 5 saw Coldstream defeat Norwood in their preliminary final by nine goals. Coldstream with confidence in the goal circle with both E. Jakobs and M. Jakobs shooting well throughout the game.
In Division 6’s preliminary final, it was the Glen Waverley Hawks who led from start to finish. Leading from the goal circle was Walker with 15 goals and Mazzarella on 13 which set them up for their 28-23 goal win against Mulgrave.
Grand finals for Divisions 3 through to 6 will all take place at the Knox Regional Netball Courts. Division 3: Whitehorse Pioneers vs Mulgrave, 8:15pm Division 4: Upper Ferntree Gully vs Glen Waverley Hawks, 8:15pm. Division 5: Heathmont vs Coldstream, 7:00pm. Division 6: Nunawading vs Glen Waverley Hawks, 7:00pm.