The match that everyone was looking forward to lived up to all expectations.
Last year’s SFL Netball Grand Final replay went according to script, with both Dingley and Heatherton fielding much stronger squads this year.
Alicia Wise, the Dingley Division 1 Netball Captain, led by perfect example, executing centimetre perfect passes.
Shae Wonnacott (Dingley) continued her brilliant season and left nothing in the tank at the final siren.
Jaime Regnier, the Heatherton Netball Captain was her usual feisty self and continued to instil belief in her team throughout the entire game.
Dingley started well and got their small buffer on Heatherton but the game was always in the balance and any lack of concentration from either team was taken advantage of by the opposition.
Heatherton made a strong run in the last quarter with Molly Kibel (Heatherton) potent up forward, but the composure of the Bailey girls - Miranda and Shannon, along with the rest of the Dingoes ensured they got the job done by 4 goals – 38 to 34.
In a fitting finale for the team and her individual season, Shae Wonnacott was awarded Best on Court.
2013 SFL YMCA Monash Netball Division 2 Wrap
Dingley 32 def Carrum Patterson Lakes 30
The Division 2 Grand Final was all we hoped it would be and more.
With both teams showing some nerves in the first quarter, it was Carrum Patterson Lakes that grabbed the early upper hand, moving the ball cleanly from the defensive half through the likes of Sophie McGuiness and Mandi Hall.
The normally calm Dingley looked rattled in the second quarter as Carrum Patterson Lakes’ pressure continued to take hold, and with the Carrum Patterson Lakes wingers in Alyce Shilg and Shannon Gleeson feeding Goal Shooter Jessie Hawksworth and the irrepressible Goal Attack Georgia Donkin, the game was quickly getting away from Dingley.
Protecting what appeared to be an unassailable 9 goal lead heading into the final term, CPL began to falter and the Dingoes began to wrestle back momentum, gaining the early ascendancy in the 4th quarter. Players who until this point had been held quiet suddenly exploded, none more so than Sarah Fischer. Standing tall, Fischer provided the focal point, and was receiving great supply from sisters Sarah and Emily Gent, whilst at the other end defender and Captain Alysha Morecroft rallied the troops and tightened up on the previously unstoppable Donkin.
As the lead narrowed, Dingley’s confidence grew, with the crowd riding every goal. CPL’s McGuinness urged her team to settle and move the ball calmly, but the Dingo pressure was too much, and in nearly an exact replica score line of the last time these two sides met, Dingley lead by 2 goals as the final siren sounded.
Best on Court was awarded to Carrum Patterson Lakes’ Georgia Donkin.
2013 SFL YMCA Monash Netball Division 3 Wrap
Lyndale 27 def Bentleigh 20
The Division Three Grand final saw Lyndale and Bentleigh go head to head. Both teams finished off the season strongly and were worthy grand finalists.
Conditions at Rowans Road were surprisingly perfect for netball and the Lyndale goalers took advantage of the conditions early in the game.
Lyndale took control from the first whistle, going into the first break with a 10 goal lead over Bentleigh thanks to the clean passing of Nikki Hamilton on WA into the goal circle.
Lyndale’s conversion was causing a headache for the young Bentleigh team and the strong defence by Joanne Paton in GD was making it difficult for Bentleigh to get the ball into the goal circle.
Bentleigh came out after the half-time break with a new intensity with Elizabeth Balfour controlling the ball from the centre to steady the attack.
Kelly Hynes in GK covered the circle, creating a number of turnovers which resulted in fast breaks down court to score.
Bentleigh whittled the lead down to get within 3 goals of Lyndale going into the last quarter. Unfortunately Bentleigh could not maintain the pressure and credit to the more experienced Lyndale team who played controlled consistent netball to take out the game 27 – 20.
Elizabeth Balfour was named best on court for her consistent game in the centre for Bentleigh. Congratulations to both teams for a great display!
