By Alex Woods
The finals series began this weekend for Warburton-Millgrove with three netball games and two football games.
The A Grade netball team had a bye as they finished in the top position.
The morning started at Woori Yallock with the D Grade team facing Yarra Glen in an elimination final. The game started close with a halftime score of 14 all. In the second half, the girls were down by 1 point going into the final quarter. Unfortunately, Yarra Glen took control and secured the win by 4 goals, ending the D Grade season. It was a solid season for a young team, and they should all be proud of their efforts.
In the next match, C Grade faced Seville in a qualifying final. The game started well, with C Grade trailing by 3 points at the end of the first quarter. However, Seville gained momentum in the second quarter, extending their lead with several goals. Some adjustments were made at halftime, but C Grade still found themselves 10 points behind heading into the final quarter. They managed to make a comeback, but Seville ultimately secured the win by 9 goals. Despite the loss, C Grade will have another opportunity and will face Belgrave next week for a chance to reach the Preliminary final.
The Reserves played against Yea at Emerald in an Elimination Final. Yea started strong with a score of 0.3-3 to 3.1-19 at the end of the first quarter. However, the Reserves gained momentum and scored 5 goals in the second quarter, putting them in the lead at halftime. In the second half, the Reserves scored 4 goals and 7 behinds, while Yea only managed 3 goals and 3 behinds. The Reserves won the game with a final score of 9.10-64 to 7.8-50, a 14-point lead. Damien Egan scored 3 goals, Brayden Ferguson scored 2, and Chad Currey, Tarkyn Nicolandos, Hudson Semple, and Ashley Taylor each scored 1. The standout players were David Lever, David Bedggood, Brett Winzer, Marcel Kocher, Brayden Ferguson, and Hudson Semple. Next week, the Reserves will play against Seville for a spot in the Preliminary Final.
The B Grade team finished the netball matches for the day by facing off against Yea in another Elimination Final. The conditions were warm and sunny, with a slight and intermittent wind. The team started strong and the game remained close throughout. As they headed into the last quarter, they had a lead of a few goals, which they managed to hold onto until the final siren. They secured the win with a score of 42-36 and will progress to the Semi-final against Belgrave.
The seniors had a big game ahead of them, facing Healesville in the Qualifying final. They had a solid start, resulting in the team having a 5-point lead at the first break. They continued with their momentum and went into the half-time break with a score of 5.5-35 to 6.8-44. The third quarter was a big one and saw the boys turn it on, securing another 3 goals and 6 behinds, while Healesville kicked 2 goals and 1 behind. They went into the last quarter with a 20-point lead. However, Healesville, an experienced team, managed to turn the game around in the last quarter by securing 4 goals and 3 behinds to Burras’s 2 behinds, putting Healesville in front. Ultimately, Healesville secured the win by 5 points. Despite the loss, the boys will take on Belgrave next Sunday for a Prelim spot.
Big games ahead next Sunday, but the club believes its teams can do it.
