By Alex Woods
What a day. Coming into the morning there was a lot of nerves but also a lot excitement buzzing around. It’s a first in Warburton-Millgrove history to have had eight teams in finals. Six made it all the way. Six brought it home.
The morning started with D Grade, which was set to be a tough challenge. Powelltown was an experienced team. The Burras started off shaking, but that was all grand final nerves. This feeling is different and something new for the D Grade girls. They managed to get a few quick goals back and were up at quarter time 7-3. The momentum was good, even within the first 10 minutes. They got a good jump in the second quarter being 16-6 at halftime. They didn’t look like stepping off the pedal. They kept the same gap at 3 quarter time. They felt comfortable but 10 minutes of netball is still a lot. Finals is a different game. They kept it all together and nerves calmed whilst excitement built as GK Nicole Winzer, heard ‘one minute left’ while being 12 goals up. The siren sounded and the D Grade side was PREMIERS. Nicole Winzer was awarded ‘Best on Court’ for the game and the girls celebrated in style. Well done girls, good start to the morning.
Under 17’s were up next in another tough battle about to be had. They beat rivals Powelltown in final 1. Knocked off the top of the table Broadford in the Prelim, now it was Alexandra to secure the title. Strong start but couldn’t convert, like the previous game, lots of nerves built up and clumsiness took over. A few goals slotted and the ease came in. Alexandra was a tall experienced team, but they applied pressure and remained calm and secured a 5-2 lead at the first break. Half time came and saw them with a two-goal lead. Minor changes occurred, and the team went back out and had another crack in the second half. Three quarter time and they were three goals up, they were getting excited after the first three quarters, but there was still a long way to go. Alexandra secured a few goals, as did Warburton-Millgrove, but the nerves kicked in again and the Burras started making clumsy mistakes. But nonetheless, they controlled the ball when needed and secured a 20-16 victory. Lucas Rush was awarded ‘Best on Court’ and the team was definitely excited. Two from two wins so far this morning and the excitement was high.
C Grade took the court next. Even though the last win they had against Powelltown was 53-21, it was going to be a completely different ball game. As the game started, it for sure was completely different. They were down by a goal at quarter time but managed to turn it around to be up by a goal at quarter time. Nerves were still rolling through as Powelltown came out strong. The Burras secured a few more goals in the third to have a four-goal lead at three-quarter time. It still is close as 12 minutes of netball were still to be played. A tough quarter was to be played but they held onto it and secured a two-goal win. Ellie Stahl
was awarded Best on Court. Congrats all! Three more flags secured for the club and it was now onto the football.
Reserves were going up against Kinglake. The was going to be another tough match. The quarter-time scoreboard saw Kinglake 1 point up. The team regrouped and sent it back out into the second quarter. A couple more goals kicked in the second quarter saw the team 11 points up at halftime. One-half down and one more to go. They rolled into the third term strong. Good defence mixed with the forwards securing a couple of more goals saw the team 5.8-38 to 2.5-17 at three-quarter time. In the last quarter Kinglake came out strong but Warburton-Millgrove matched it and kept the lead going. The anticipation was building but Kinglake was still playing their game, the Burras secured a couple of end goals that made them feel more comfortable and the nerves drifted and turned into excitement. The win was secured and the premiership was theirs. Shannon Noonan was awarded Best on Ground. Congrats to the boys on bringing home the title, enjoy the celebrations.
So far, all games were won and four premierships had gone the way of Warburton-Millgrove. A Grade was left to play and again, was set to be a tough match for the girls. Broadford started strong and got a small jump within the first few minutes. But the girls soon let go of the nerves and bought it back shortly after. They were up by one goal at quarter time and stretched it out to be five goals up at halftime. Some changes into the third quarter with some fresh legs saw the girls continue into the second half strongly. The goalers were on fire with their shots and the defence and mid-court were strong. A good lead at three-quarter time and they were up 26-32 at the last break. They kept calm and took it home, overrunning Broadford by 15 goals. ALL FLAGS WERE SECURED. The Burras took home six premierships this year and won all games in the grand final. Shae Gee secured the Best on Court medal. Big celebrations to come.
