BY NATHAN DOLE
MAIDEN Gully YCW Eagles soared to back-to-back A-grade netball premierships in Saturday’s grand finale to the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
It was a rematch of the ’22 grand finalists as Maiden Gully YCW faced Mitiamo at Dissy Machinery Oval in Inglewood.
Defeated just once in the home-and-away series, Maiden Gully YCW won a great contest with the Superoos by three goals.
There were several lead changes as the Eagles strived for back-to-back wins against a club which had last won the A-grade premiership in 2019.
The Jen Wilson-coached Mitiamo led by a goal at half-time.
In the third it was the Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles who lifted their play to force errors and capitalise on them.
Maiden Gully YCW led by five goals, but Mitiamo hit back as goal attack Laura Hicks and centre Amelia Ludeman were to the fore.
The Eagles won the quarter, 14-11, and held a two-goal buffer at the start of what would be the last term of the season.
Centre Arriah Keogh, wing attack Christie Griffiths and gun goalshooter Tia Webb led the Eagles response to a spirited Superoos’ challenge to clinch a 52-49 victory.
Coach of last season’s premiership team, Griffiths had a huge impact in this final from wing attack.
Outstanding play by the long-time Eagle earned best on court honours.
The experience and skill of Jayne Norton, Boldiston’s sister was also crucial in the Eagles’ run throughout the home-and-away series and in the final.
A formidable Eagles’ attack was led by Webb, 40 goals, and she teamed brilliantly with this season’s league fairest and best in Meg Patterson.
Although it was defeated in all four contests with the Eagles this season, Mitiamo took it right up to Maiden Gully YCW, especially in the finals.
The second semi-final went to overtime in which the Eagles landed a three-goal win.
Four clubs celebrated grand final wins on the netball court.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles won the C-grade and C-reserve matches against Marong by margins of eight goals and one goal.
The Marong Panthers marked an 11-goal victory against the Eagles in B-grade.
An exciting contest in the 17-and-under division went Bridgewater’s way, 48-45, against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
It was a premiership double for Calivil United as it took out the 15-under and 13-under matches.
Four goals separated the Demons and Bridgewater in the 15-under finale.
It was an unbeaten run to the premiership by Calivil United as it scored an 18-goal win against Maiden Gully YCW to be 13-under champions.
Loddon Valley FNL grand final scoreboard at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval:
A-grade: Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 52 d Mitiamo 49.
B-grade: Marong 45 d Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 34.
C-grade: Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 53 d Marong 45.
C-reserve: Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 33 d Marong 32.
17-and-under: Bridgewater 48 d Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 45.
15-and-under: Calivil United 42 d Bridgewater 38.
13-and-under: Calivil United 39 d Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 21.
This season’s premiership-winning teams in the Loddon Valley Football Netball League, proudly sponsored by Bendigo Bank:
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles, A-grade:
Coach: Adam Boldiston.
Tia Webb (captain), Leisa Barry, Laura Butler, Rachael Gray, Christie Griffiths, Brianna Harris, Arriah Keogh, Jayne Norton, Meg Patterson, Tia Reaper, Jarrenhy Webb.
Marong, B-grade:
Coach: Alisha Pickering.
Katie Bond, Bianca Bourke, Lexi Brennan, Briella Gibbs, Paige Gordon, Christine Gray, Farin Gregg, Kirsty Hamilton, Brittany Hercus, Tania Kerrison, Erin Stewart, Savannah Waters.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles, C-grade:
Coach: Harriett Slorach.
Olivia Hall (captain), Danielle Archer, Bronte Baxter, Sarah Bibby, Jorja Gibson, Mackenzie Marsh, Madison Marsh, Courtney Matthews, Alicia Osborne, Chloe Plant, Shallon Webb.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles, C-reserve:
Coach: Sarah Bibby.
Danielle Archer (captain), Jessica Bailey, Mollie Dobeli, Courtney Gibson, Ketelyn Holmes, Laura Lindner, Olivia Mannes, Madison Marsh, Lisa Mitchell, Chloe Plant.
Bridgewater, 17-and-under:
Coach: Caz Wood.
Natalie Flood (captain), Anouk Anastassiou, Milla Finch, Rachael Flood, Maya Langdon, Shayla Lister, Evie Pay, Emerson Sim, Daisy Stringer, Sophie Tyrrell, Araminta Wood.
Calivil United, 15-and-under:
Coach: Kellie Anset.
Lexie Austen (captain), Macey Vinnicombe (vice-captain), Ruby Cullen, Stephanie Ingram, Jorja Lawry, Charlie Lenton, Georgia Pascoe, Layla Pearce, Ava Rudkins, Paige Smith, Chloe Tweed, Teagen Vinnicombe.
Calivil United, 13-and-under:
Coach: Bec Cullen.
Ruby Cullen (captain), Teagen Vinnicombe (vice-captain), Zali Cullen, Oscar Balic, Penny Balic, Charlie Lenton, Caitlin Ralphs, Lylah Rudkins, Elodie Sharman, Paige Smith, Talia Smith, Ava Weeks.