By David Nagel
B GRADE
An electrifying first-quarter blitz has propelled Narre Warren to a 43-39 victory over a brave Mt Evelyn in the Outer East B Grade grand final at Officer.
The Magpies came out of the blocks humming, with Tamari Waqanisau (C), skipper Kate Dowling (WA) and Bec Potalej (WD) providing a stack of drive through the midcourt, allowing goalers Mercy Ioelu (GS) and Piuti Laban (GA) to do their thing.
Laban was in particularly good touch in the opening term, scoring 11 goals as the Magpies raced out to a 15-6 lead at quarter time.
Coach Michelle Mashado could not have asked for more from her Magpie brigade, but was brought back down to earth after the Rovers returned fire in the second stanza.
Rebecca Hincksman (GS) became an unstoppable force for the Rovers, scoring all 12 goals for the quarter…as the lead was cut from nine to six at the half-way interval.
Narre Warren steadied in the third quarter, with Lupe Fonua (GK) and Corrina Emery (GD) combining well at the defensive end of the court, not allowing Rovers’ shooters Caitlin Hoskin (GS) and Salena Johnson (GA) any space at all.
The Magpies took a 34-27 lead into the final quarter of the season, and despite a brave rally from the Rovers held on to give Mashado multiple premierships on the day.
Michelle also guided the Narre Warren 17-Under team to the flag.
In a unique circumstance, Fonua was named best on court, after earning the same award in the 17-under win over Seville.
Michelle Mashado might owe Lupe an ice-cold soft drink or two!
C GRADE
The best may have been saved for last in Outer East netball this season with Narre Warren producing a miracle comeback to win the C Grade premiership over Olinda Ferny Creek.
The Bloods were the better team for three quarters, leading 26-22 at the final change, before the Magpies ran rampant in the last quarter on their way to a 34-31 triumph.
Olinda Ferny Creek had great drive through the midcourt with Keira Maher, Dana Millwood and Natalia Moraitis matching motors with the Magpies’ engine-room of Ruby Dwyer, Ashleigh Hammond and Hannah Blair.
The Bloods won the first three quarters by one, one and two, to set up a 26-22 advantage at the final break.
But the Magpies produced a barnstorming finish, with Alyssa Hunter (GS) scoring eight of her teams 12 goals in the final term, while the switch of Dwyer from centre to goal attack made all the difference in the dying stages.
The Magpies were simply unstoppable with Mackenzie Morrison (GK), Asia Tuiloma (GD) and Rylee Thomas (WD) defending brilliantly to restrict the Bloods to just five goals in the final stanza.
Dwyer was a deserving winner of the best-on-court medal, providing drive through the midcourt before becoming a creative threat late in the contest.
D GRADE
Narre Warren’s whitewash of the four senior premierships on offer on grand final day began with its D Grade team scoring a 32-23 victory over Olinda Ferny Creek.
The Magpies were challenged early, trailing 4-5 at quarter time, with Rebecca Allen (GK) and Rianne Fraser (GD) defending the circle with great intent for the Bloods.
But the second quarter was where the game was won and lost, with the Magpies taking the momentum with a 10-5 term heading in to half time.
Savannah Stodal (GS) stood tall for the Magpies, scoring seven goals alone in the second term, capitalising on some great set-up play from the likes of Delainey Brown (C), Brooke Stanton (WA), Scarlett Trotter (WD) and Sarah Jacobson (GA).
Leading 14-10 at the half, the Magpies then put the foot down even harder, crushing the Bloods’ hopes with a 9-5 third stanza.
It gave the Magpies a 23-15 advantage at the final break…enough to cruise home to premiership glory.
Stodal was superb for the Magpies, scoring 21 of her 23 goals after quarter time, while Olivia Brinkmann (GK) and Kaylee McCubbin (GD) were super-effective in the defensive circle.
Brown won the best on court medal after a great game for the Magpies through the midcourt.
