Netball Grand Final Previews
A1 – Dingley v Cheltenham, 2:30pm
2023 Record: Dingley 3-1
Last time they met: Major Semi Final, Dingley 47 – Cheltenham 46
After edging out Edithvale Aspendale by a single goal in the dying seconds, Cheltenham have earnt themselves a rematch of the 2022 Grand Final against Dingley. Both teams are stacked with talent in what will be the match of the day. With 3/4 previous match ups highly contested, it is anybody’s best guess who will take out the hotly contested Premiership.
Dingley will be missing their Premiership winning coach, AJ Ballantyne, who has been named as an Assistant Coach to the Collingwood Magpies, currently competing in the Australian Netball Championships (ANC) in Queensland. Despite this, their captain, Monique Lenehan-Moustafa will be looking to lead by example and add another premiership cup to the trophy cabinet.
Cheltenham’s dynamic midcourt player, Zali Anderson will also be missing the action on Saturday, having been named in the Magpies ANC Team as well. Darren Stafrace is spoilt for coverage in the midcourt with Mia Washington and Meg Siedle providing more than enough ball supply to their goalers.
A2 – Murrumbeena v St Paul’s McKinnon, 12:30pm
2023 Record: Murrumbeena 1-0
Last time they met: Round 11, Murrumbeena 31 – St Paul’s McKinnon 30
Having narrowly edged out an impressive Dingley outfit in last week’s preliminary final, St Paul’s McKinnon is a surprise contender for the A2 Grand Final. In the two teams only encounter this season, Murrumbeena were missing A2 Team of the Year nominees, Kara Williamson and Georgia McAlroy. The addition of the pair will make it a tough hill to climb for St Paul’s.
St Paul’s Hannah Crouch-Loveday (also an A2 Team of the Year nominee) will be the key to shutting down the Murrumbeena goal circle. Crouch-Loveday will join up with her defensive partner, Rebecca Marks to tackle the Murrumbeena goal shooters.
A3 – East Brighton v South Yarra, 10:30am
2023 record – 1 game all
Last time they met: Round 15, East Brighton 47 – South Yarra 30
With only 2 points separating 1st and 3rd on the A3 ladder, it was always going to be a tight tussle to the Grand Final. The two teams are yet to meet each other in the finals series but should be a spectacle for all watching.
East Brighton are looking dangerous with any one of the goaling trio of Maddie Harold, Mia Conlan and Bella Templeton, able to stand up, having shared the goaling most of any team this season. South Yarra will be looking to take revenge on their last match up, with a full team available on the day, they’ll be looking to come out strong right from the first whistle.
A4 – Bentleigh v Carrum Patterson Lakes, 10:30am
2023 Record: Bentleigh 3-0
Last time they met, Major Semi Final, Bentleigh 59 – Carrum Patterson Lakes 37
Undefeated this season, Bentleigh will be looking to take it 1 game further in search of the A4 premiership this season. Following a hard fought battle with Caulfield Masters last week, Carrum Patterson Lakes will be looking to carry forward the momentum against the minor premiers.
Division joint MVPs Te Paea Dix (Bentleigh) and Brittany Raynes (CPL) will be looking to lead their teams in their final games this season. Although Bentleigh have been the team to beat all season, there’s nothing to say an almighty effort from CPL couldn’t knock them off their perch.
B1 – Mordialloc v South Yarra, 12:30pm
2023 Record: Mordialloc 3-0
Last time they met: Major Semi Final: Mordialloc 48 – South Yarra 40
In a Preliminary Final heart stopper, South Yarra prevailed by a single goal over a dogged St Kilda City team to cement their position on Grand Final Day. Three of the Yarra’s four losses this season have all come at the hands of a clinical Mordialloc side.
Mordialloc’s leading goal shooter, Amy Goodchild missed the major semi final due to injury and will be looking to strength her team’s chances this weekend. South Yarra will be hoping to build on their momentum from last weekend and give Mordi a run for their money, their proven ability to stay strong in a tight finish will be truly tested.
B2 – Dingley v Black Rock, 10:30am
2023 Record: Dingley 3-1
Last time they met: Major Semi Final, Dingley 39 – Black Rock 29
Dingley sisters, Darcy and Holly McGaw will be front and centre (literally) for this Grand Final match up. These two teams have been leading the division right from Round 1 and will be out to assert their dominance from the first whistle in this mouthwatering match up.
Brooke Southwell, the most prolific scorer of the division (by a whopping 108 goals may we add) will be doing all she can to give Black Rock the best opportunity to defeat a confident Dingley team. The key to shutting her down will be limiting supply from Emily Terlicher and Madi Pixton. Dingley’s Alex Macaulay will be kept on her toes all game to deny circle edge position to Black Rock’s attackers.
B3 – Caulfield Bears v Skye, 10:30am
2023 Record: Skye 1-0
Last time they met: Round 13, Skye 41 – Caulfield 26
In an upset to everyone (except Skye), Mordialloc were defeated in straight sets this finals series which creates a very interesting Grand Final match up between Caulfield and Skye. The two teams have only played once this season, with Skye taking a convincing win. Bears players, Caitlin Rodwell and Emily Dwyer were absent from this match and will be looking to make their mark early in the game.
Skye’s Jaime Ducane and Dwyer are both stand out defenders for their teams and will be essential for their Club’s premiership success.
B4 – Hampton Park v Parkdale Vultures, 10:30am
2023 Record: Hampton Park 2-0
Last time they met: Major Semi Final, Hampton Park 55 – Parkdale Vultures 43
Hampton Park pulled off an impressive win to knock off minor premiers Parkdale in the major semi final. Parkdale then had to front up against a spirited Heatherton team who came from behind to defeat third placed Clayton in the elimination final. Some notable figures from goal shooter Hannah Mullins ended Heatherton’s season last week.
Parkdale has amassed a whopping 756 goals during the regular season, with goal shooter Mullins, leading the division’s statistics. She will be delivered the ball by division Best and Fairest, Rachel Isles. In comparison, Hampton Park’s Agnes Kata and Kaitlyn Kaleta have shared the shooting responsibilities more evenly, which will be a danger to the Parkdale defence.
C1 – Springvale Districts v Bentleigh, 12:30pm
2023 record: Springvale Districts 3-0
Last time they met: Major Semi Final Springvale Districts 43- Bentleigh 34
Springvale Districts have been the team to beat all season, a huge 16 points separated the minor premiers from second position. Four of their players polled in the top 10 for the division B&F, a remarkably well rounded team.
Bentleigh got closest to defeating Springvale in just round 15 where they went down by 5 goals. They’ll be looking to replicate some of that same pressure this weekend. All eyes will be on the match up of Emma Elso (Springvale Districts) and Grace Deledio (Bentleigh), both midcourt maestros taking charge of their team’s attacking structures.
C2 – Hampton Park v Dingley, 12:30pm
2023 Record: Hampton Park 4-0
Last time they met: Major Semi Final, Hampton Park 64 – Dingley 39
Hampton Park are one of only two undefeated teams left in the league and their results speak for themselves, a dominant performance in the major semi final secured their position in the Grand Final this weekend. Dingley will be looking for their first win over the Redbacks this season and have absolutely nothing to lose.
Erin Wolffbuttle (Hampton Park) scored 40 goals in just three quarters last time they met, Dingley’s Zoe Severin and Megan Smith will be tasked with restricting Wolfbuttle in the goal circle but will take tight defence from all positions on the court if they’re in with a chance of winning.
C3 Port Melbourne Colts v Highett, 12:30pm
2023 Record: Port Melbourne 2-0
Last time they met: Major Semi Final, Port Melbourne 51 – Highett 35
In a major semi final rematch, Highett will be looking to upset an imposing Port Melbourne team. Port Melbourne will return to Rowan Road well refreshed and delighted to see that Springvale Districts had been knocked out of finals contention.
Port Melbourne’s Jessica Eddey scored the most Best and Fairest votes in the entirety of the league this season (32 votes), and playing from centre, she’ll be able to support both her attacking and defensive units. Runner Up Best and Fairest and leading goal scorer, Mackenzi Gourlay from Highett will be paired with Sophie Llinares in the goal circle which looks to be a firey match up with Zoe Wilkins and Rebecca Kuys.
C4 – Mordialloc v Lyndale 10:30am
2023 Record: Lyndale 1-0
Last time they met: Round 10, Lyndale 43 – Mordialloc 16
Minor premiers Noble Park were knocked out of the finals series by third place finishing Lyndale in last week’s preliminary final. After winning themselves straight through to the Grand Final in week 1 of finals, Mordialloc will be looking to turn the tables on their only previous outing with Lyndale this season.
Mordialloc’s Hailey Pratt will be the key to shutting down Lyndale’s prolific goal attack, Steph Thomas. Not without support from Gemma Cengia and Eliza Pickles, Mordialloc will be looking to take advantage of their well earned week off with they suit up for the Grand Final this weekend.
D1 – Lyndhurst v Frankston Dolphins, 12:30pm
2023 Record: Lyndhurst 3-1
Last time they met: Major Semi Final, Lyndhurst 36 – Frankston Dolphins 21
A late addition to the league in Round 4, Frankston Dolphins have looked to have been Lyndhurst’s most dangerous opponent all season. The biggest concern for Frankston will be how to stop the connection between Tarryn Scandolera and D1 leading goal scorer, Jenna Hill.
Frankston’s defensive trio, Mel Hutchinson, Megan King and Caitlin Maughan have been the most effective in the division and will need to have their heads in the game right from the first centre pass to put their team into contention for the Premiership.
