BY NATHAN DOLE
THE Mitiamo Superoos bound their way to premiership glory in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL’s A-grade netball grand final on Saturday.
Runner-up the previous two seasons, Mitiamo overcame a six-goal deficit in the second quarter to defeat Pyramid Hill at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
Having beaten the Superoos on their court in the fifth round, and again in the second semi-final, Pyramid Hill went into the season decider with plenty of confidence.
The Chelsea Emmerson-coached Pyramid Hill started strongly and led 16-12 at quarter-time.
In the second it was the Jen Wilson-coached Superoos who bounced back to be within a goal by the long break.
Mitiamo then won the third quarter, 16-11.
The Superoos were up 40-36 going into the final term of the season.
Inspired by the play of best on court medallist Carly Scholes, Mitiamo won the final, eight-six.
At the final siren a Mitiamo team captained by Laura Hicks and the Superoos officials and fans celebrated a hard-fought 48-42 victory.
Mitiamo’s premiership-winning team coached by Jen Wilson:
Sarah Bateman, Abbey Battersby, Taylah Diss, Alyce Falls, Alicia Hay, Laura Hicks, Caitlyn Hocking, Amelia Ludeman, Eliesha McKean, Kelly Pay, Carly Scholes.
It was a memorable day for Marong FNC on the netball courts.
The Panthers contested five grand finals and had a win-loss tally of four-one.
In B-grade, Marong faced Newbridge.
The Panthers charged to a 15-6 lead by quarter-time.
Newbridge hit back to win the second, 13-10.
Both teams scored 11 goals in the third quarter.
Marong won the last, 16-12 as Briella Gibbs was best on court in a 52-42 victory.
Marong’s premiership-winning team coached by Robyn Cunnington:
Charli Crawford, Bianca Garton, Briella Gibbs, Paige Gordon, Farin Gregg, Brittany Hercus, Bridget Jacobs, Grace Varker.
The Marong Panthers charged to a 19-goal win against Bridgewater to be C-grade premiers.
It was a closely-fought first half in which Bridgewater won the opening term, 10-9.
Marong hit back to win the second, 11-7.
The Panthers broke the shackles as they scored 17 goals in the third term and held the Mean Machine to a tally of six goals.
A 14-goal buffer for Marong going into the final term was 19 by the end.
Marong marked a 51-32 victory as Kim McCullough earned best on court honours.
The Panthers’ premiership-winning team coached by Georgie McGrath and Kim McCullough:
Alannah Bell, Nikita Ede, Georgie Frankel, Christine Gray, Claudia Gray, Tamera Gribben, Rachael Kirby, Kim McCullough, Lana O’Neil, Brittany Shannon.
In C-reserve, Marong took on Maiden Gully YCW.
It was the Eagles who led 10-5 at quarter-time.
Marong hit back to win the second, 10-4.
The Panthers gained an eight-goal buffer by three quarter-time and then won the last, 12-6.
Kayla Grant earned best on court honours in a 37-23 win by the Panthers.
Marong’s premiership-winning team coached by Georgie McGrath and Kim McCullough:
Georgia Balsley, Tiana Cassar, Elise Chambers, Kayla Grant, Mikayla Gunther, Kate Healey, Isobel Lomax, Georgie McGrath, Lana O’Neil, Jaci Rutter, Kia Taylor, Emily Teggelove.
Fans were treated to a thrilling to the 17-and-under match between Marong and Calivil United.
The Calivil United team led 13-12 at quarter-time before Marong took control to win the second, 10-6.
In the third quarter it was the Demons who teamed well in all thirds of the court to lead 33-32 going into the last.
Inspired by the play of Arabella Brennan who earned the best on court medal, Marong scored 11 goals in the final term and held the red and blue to a tally of five goals.
At the final siren the Brittany Hercus-coached Marong led 43-38.
The Panthers’ premiership-winning team:
Arabella Brennan, Lexie Brennan, Shelby Burns, Heidi Byrne, Jordan Korp, Lily Ash Medhurst, Mensforth, Larni Taylor, Sienna Taylor, Savannah Waters.
The 15-and-under premiership cup made its way to Calivil after the Demons’ young stars won a great contest with Bridgewater by four goals.
Calivil United led 14-8 at quarter-time before the Mean Machine hit back to win the second, 13-10.
It was goal-for-goal throughout the third as the Demons led 39-35 going into the final quarter.
Both teams scored 12 goals in the last as the Karen Pascoe-coached Calivil United marked a 51-47 victory.
Player of the match award went to Calivil United’s Chloe Tweed.
The Demons’ premiership-winning team:
Zara Crapper, Ruby Cullen, Zali Cullen, Charlie Lenton, Georgia Pascoe, Lucy Pascoe, Caity Ralphs, Ava Rudkins, Elodie Sharman, Paige Smith, Chloe Tweed, Teagan Vinnicombe.
Just four goals separated Marong and Calivil United at the end of the 13-and-under grand final.
The Calivil United line-up led 10-9 at half-time.
Marong won the crucial third quarter, 8-5, and then poured in eight goals as the Demons added six in the last.
At the final siren the Bianca Bourke-coached Marong led 25-21.
Player of the match honours went to Zali Cullen from Calivil United.
The premiership-winning team from Marong:
Sophie Bellenger, Sophie Bourke, Darcie Coghill, Chelsea Davis, Grace Franklin, Chelsea Korp, Lana Medhurst, Willow Michielsen, Milahni Taylor.