By: Jessie Hare
THE home and away season is now done for Premier/Premier Reserve, Division 1 and 2, they will face their first round of finals on Friday night, while Division 3 through to 6 have their first round of finals under their belts with a few very close battles.
In the final round for Premier/Premier Reserve, Lilydale went away big winners against Wantirna South Reserve. A huge 50 goals for Luiyf in her sides 30 goal win. Scoresby were able to just get away with their win against Boronia by three goals, Scoresby’s Sanzaro with 44 goals and Boronia’s Rush with 51 for the game. Mulgrave stayed strong throughout the second half to beat Montrose, 53-47. Wantirna South Devils were again led by Woodgate in the goal circle with 45 goals in their 14-goal win against Blackburn. Fairpark stamped their authority straight away with a 20-goal lead at the first break, going on to defeat Norwood by 56 goals.
The final round for Division 1 saw a steady 10 goal win for Kilsyth over North Ringwood.
While Knox started the game in style with a 15 to zero first quarter, they were led by Teunissen in the goal circle who shot 32 of their 49 goals in their 33-goal win over Blackburn. Heathmont were able to get over the line against Park Orchards, 38-32, as did Coldstream against Forest Hill, 38-29. Fairpark had a big win against Scoresby, 51-12, led by the goal shooting of M. Williams with 33 goals for the game.
For Division 2’s final round, The Basin got the points as they defeated Ringwood, 34-8. Norwood were able to lead from the first whistle and went on to win the match by 22 goals, Norwood’s Beaton with 33 goals. Kilsyth stepped up and defeated Ferntree Gully by 9 goals. While Croydon saw themselves with a huge win against Park Orchards, 40-14, Croydon had five different goal scorers for the match in Dodd, Higgins, Brauch, Dugdale and Hannah. It was Knox who were able to get over the line against Lilydale, 36-29 and Vermont with just a six-goal win against Wantirna Devils.
The first round of finals for Division 3 saw both games decided by only one goal. Mulgrave had the lead at every break despite the efforts of Boronia working their way back into the game in the final quarter. It was Mulgrave who go away with the win, 32-31. Mulgrave’s Hoskin stepping it up again with 26 goals for her side. It was a very back and forth game between Whitehorse and Heathmont as Whitehorse held the lead at half time, but Heathmont went into the final quarter in front, setting up a final quarter show down. It was Whitehorse who went away with the win, 19-18. This means, Boronia goes straight through the grand final while Mulgrave and Heathmont will face off for a place in the final.
In Division 4, Glen Waverley Hawks had a pretty easy win against North Ringwood. The Hawks got on top of them early which set them up for their 12-goal win. The goaling from Anderson Eastman and Stallworthy proving too good for North Ringwood. It was then Upper Ferntree Gully who were able to get over the line against Boronia by just three goals. This means, Upper Ferntree Gully make their way straight through to the grand final while Boronia and Glen Waverley will play for their spot against Upper FTG.
In Division 5, in a lower scoring affair it was Norwood who remained strong for the four quarters to get the win against Mitcham by just five goals. In the 1v2 clash between Coldstream and Heathmont it was Heathmont who caused the upset and went on to win the game by just two goals. Lesiputty and Grace leading the way for Heathmont in the goal circle. This means, Heathmont get the week off while Coldstream will face Norwood to earn a spot in the grand final.
In Division 6, Glen Waverley Hawks came out to play in their first round of finals. The Hawks got off to 19 goals to zero first quarter against Montrose, eventually setting them up for their 35-goal win. Walker with 24 goals for the game and Mazzarella on 18. It was then Nunawading who too good for Mulgrave in their 39-19 win with Van Zuyden and Kolevich owning the goal circle. This means, Nunawading go through the easy way straight into the grand final while Mulgrave and Glen Waverley will face off for that second spot in the grand final.
Looking ahead for finals for Premier/Premier Reserve through to Division 2, Premier will see a top eight play-off while Division 1 and 2 will have their top four. In Premier, it’ll be 1v4 in Fairpark and Boronia. 2v3 in Wantirna South and Scoresby. 5v8 in Lilydale and Wantirna South Reserve and 6v7 in Mulgrave and Blackburn. In Division 1, 1v2 will see South Croydon face Fairpark while 3v4 is Knox versus Heathmont. In Division 2, 1v2 will see Vermont play Kilsyth for a spot straight through to the grand final while 3v4 is Ferntree Gully and Croydon. The pointy end of the EFL Netball season is upon us, make sure you get down and support our netballers has they play for all the glory.