NETBALL REVIEW

By Matt Fotia

Woori Yallock get a big win which changes nothing, Warburton Millgrove keep their season alive whilst Kinglake and Seville will meet again after Yea booked their Grand Final place – it’s the netball review.

In the final round of the Premier Division season, Woori Yallock sent a friendly reminder to the top three that they mean business, knocking off second placed Beaconsfield by four goals on Saturday.

The fourth placed Tigers got out to a two goal lead at the first break before the Eagles bought it back to parity at half time, 23-23. Beaconsfield went into the last change with a one goal lead thanks to Bianca Sanzaro before the Tigers pulled out a 16 goal to 11 final quarter to finish victors.

Mia Sudormirski shot 44 goals in an incredible performance with Sarah McCabe ably supporting her. Beaconsfield won the mid court battle with Rylee Nelson, Ash Gill and Zoe Mason finishing as their best a-court.  The aforementioned Sanzaro shot 32 goals, whilst Danielle Roberts had 15.

Beaconsfield will take on Cranbourne in the qualifying final after the (other) Eagles finished 26 goal winners over Upwey-Tecoma on Saturday to lock in third spot. Shannon Johns shot 28 for Cranbourne whilst Amy Pickard and Jamie O’Hare were the best Tigers.

Olinda Ferny Creek finished undefeated in the home and away season after they defeated Wandin by 41 goals on Saturday. Peri Stewart shot 55 goals whilst Bronwyn Simpson and Madison Taylor were their best.

Finally Narre Warren will go into finals on a high, bookending their season with another victory against Berwick, Tamika De Nardis (18), Jemma Osborne (18) and Chelsea Tonna (13) sharing the goals. Emma Clarke finished a good season for the Wickers with 25 goals.

In Division One Mount Evelyn have booked themselves another battle with ROC after the Rovers kept Monbulk at bay in a relatively low scoring Qualifying Final at Beaconsfield on Sunday.

The Rovers started well shooting 13 goals to have a five goal lead at quarter time before their defensive solidity kicked in, allowing just 22 more goals for the afternoon and just four in a crucial final quarter. The scores finished at 35-30, with Ellie Karalua (19) and Georgia Marsh (16) finding the goals enough for a Rovers victory.

The Blacks – Kaitlyn and Jacqui – kept a stranglehold on the Hawks offence, as the usually dominant Steph Puopolo could only manage 23 goals and her support act , Nicole MacDowell, just seven. Kaitlyn Seamer and Stephanie Jones had an enthralling battle in the centres all day.

The Hawks will now face Warburton Millgrove after the Burras put in a dominant performance against the Pakenham Lions on the adjacent court at Beaconsfield.

After a tight tussle in the first term, the Burras put the foot down in the final three quarters hitting double figures in each quarter, allowing the Lions to do so just once. The third quarter was the jewel in the crown with Warburton Millgrove winning it 14-6.

Bianca Daniels (30) and Kirralee Liuyf (16) combined well again, whilst Natalia Petrucev, Courtney Lever and Selina Fotia were the best of the Burras bunch. Kyra Esler finished her season well with 22 goals.

Kinglake put in their best performance for the season, when they needed it most as they smashed Yarra Glen in the Division Two First Semi Final, defeating the River Pigs by 49 goals, 71-20 at Mount Evelyn on Saturday.

A 20-four first quarter was followed by a 16- six second term before the Lakers carried on in the second half winning that 34-11 as the usually low scoring Lakers flexed their muscles. Billie Cvijetic shot 56 goals whilst Casey Barnes and Alice Waack were their best pair.

Alicia Mortley and Nicole Moate shot eight goals apiece for the Yarra Glen whilst Kali Fraser and Chelsea Birchall performed admirably in a disappointing end to a promising season for Yarra Glen.

In the Second Semi Final at Healesville, Yea completed their third win over Seville for 2019, this time defeating the Blues by 17 goals -46-29.

The Tigers did their best work in the middle two quarters outscoring the Blues 23-10 through the second and third terms, giving Seville a mountain to climb in the last quarter.

Melissa Martinov shot 31 goals whilst Nikki Watts had 15 for the Tigers, Jackie Cullimore was the best shooter for Seville with 21.

Ella Bayliss and Libby McNay impressed for the Blues, whilst the Coppinger’s – Samantha and Tayissa – were brilliant through the centre and goal defence positions respectively.