By Alex Woods and David Ball
Warburton-Millgrove D Grade netball took on Powelltown on Grand final day on Saturday 2 September.
They started strong and Powelltown came out firing too but the Burras had a 9-4 lead at quarter.
They kept the momentum going and had a 15-11 score heading into the second half.
They managed to take all the control in the last 2 quarters and have a 7 goal leading heading into the last quarter. 1
0 mins of netball left and they knew they had to continue the strong defence, drives and passes.
The win was in their hands as they secured a 26-19 victory once again over Powelltown going back to back.
Courtney Godenzi was awarded the Best on Court Medal.
The Warburton-Millgrove 17 & Under netball was on next, taking on Alexandra.
This was another grand final rematch from 2022.
They started strong and despite a major injury occurring, they kept their heads and had a 6-0 lead at the first break.
Into the second quarter and both teams secured 3 goals each, with a half time score of 9-3.
The knew they had to keep the lead and continue on strongly.
They did that, using every turn over into their advantage and secured back to back premiership with a 17-11 win.
Lucas Rush once again secured the Best on Court medal.
Burras B Grade stepped on the court next to take on top of the ladder Broadford.
Another tough match set to be had.
Broadford started out strong with a 14-8 lead at the first break.
The Burras had a strong second quarter securing 13 goals to only trail by 5 at half time.
They tried to gain as much possession as they could and turn over what they could, converting it on the scoreboard.
Half time reset but unfortunately, Broadford came out strong.
With passes and things not going to Warbys way, they had a 10 goal lead at the last break. In the last term, they managed to bring it back to 4 goals but then Broadford would regain momentum. It wasn’t our day and the B Grade girls did the best they could.
Broadford took home the win by 9 goals, with a final score of 39-48.
Proud of B Grade with majority of the girls being a first Grand Final appearance.
Yarra Glen’s A grade team won their way into the Grand Final with a come from behind victory in the preliminary final.
They faced the powerful Warburton Millgrove outfit, a team unbeaten since round 1 of the season.
In a high intensity start, Yarra Glen were looking at needing another come from behind performance as Warby went to a 6 goal lead at quarter time.
The Yarra girls did lift in the second quarter as they matched their opponents for most of the second quarter.
They were outscored by just the 2 goals to be down 26 to 18 at half time.
Warburton’s Karly Wappett was proving hard to contain as the Burras extended their lead to 15 as the battle moved into the last quarter.
Yarra Glen threw everything at Warburton in the last quarter, Lana McGurgan the League’s B&F winner showing great form in the centre.
In a goal for goal battle, the River Pig girls could not close the gap against an outstanding team and worthy winners in Warburton-Millgrove.
The Burras brought strong defence and secured a 54 to 37 victory and back to back premierships.
Bianca Daniels was named Best on Court
Yarra Glen C grade played in the last of the netball Grand Finals in a big day at Yarra Glen.
They faced Warburton Millgrove who had beaten them convincingly in the semi-final and it was another physical game with Yarra Glen wanting to secure it bad.
The game started with both sides controlling the ball well from their centre breaks, with the Yarra girls just shading Warby to be 1 goal up at quarter time.
The second quarter was a carbon copy of the first, with Yarra Glen once again outscoring Warby by just the 1 goal to extend their lead to a narrow 2 goals at half time.
Yarra Glen’s League B&F winner, centre Ashley Shanks, continued to give the Yarra Glen goal shooters great service.
The third quarter was once again a goal for goal affair and once again Yarra Glen extended their lead by just the one goal to go into the last quarter 3 goals ahead.
With the stage set for a dramatic battle for a premiership, both sides were outstanding in their passing and ball control.
The Warby girls threw everything at Yarra Glen and in an exciting and tense battle, Burras would take the lead and then Yarra Glen would gain the momentum to regain and it was very goal for goal.
Yarra Glen held their composure and to hold onto their 3 goal advantage to take out premiership honours, 27 to 24.
