BY NATHAN DOLE
THERE were plenty of goals scored across the Central Murray FNL’s netball qualifying and elimination finals at the weekend.
The series began with Saturday’s qualifying finals at Lalbert.
In A-grade, Swan Hill overturned a three-goal deficit at half-time to record an 11-goal win against Woorinen.
The Swans were down 24-27 at the main break, but dominated the third quarter, 16-4.
It was evenly fought final term which went the Swans’ way, 11-9, to complete a 51-40 victory.
Goalers for the Swans were Zoe Morris, 36; and Ingrid Condely, 15.
Woorinen’s attack was led by Tayla Bennett, 31; Emily Siely, 8; and Amy Cadd, 1.
Swan Hill will take on Lake Boga in next Saturday’s second semi-final at Balranald’s Greenham Park.
Woorinen will face Mallee in a first semi after the Eagles soared to a 50-43 win against Balranald in Sunday’s elimination final at Alan Garden Reserve in Swan Hill.
It was nine-all at quarter-time before the Eagles took charge to win the second, 17-10.
Balranald hit back to be within three goals going into the final term, but it was Mallee which finished strongly to record a seven goal victory.
The Eagles’ attack was led by Kellie Walker, 34; and Megan Thorneycroft, 16.
Goalers for the Kangaroos were Ella Mirtschin, 35; and Jess Parry, 8.
In A-reserve, Lake Boga netted a 25-goal win against Woorinen in the qualifying final.
The Magpies led 30-20 at half-time and won the next two quarters, 16-9 and 17-9.
At the final whistle, Lake Boga led 63-38.
The Magpies’ attack was led by Milla Holt on 37 goals.
A closely-fought elimination final between Swan Hill and Balranald went the way of the Kangaroos by four goals.
Balranald led 27-20 at half-time and 37-34 at a quarter to go.
The Roos won the final term, 11-10, and the match, 48-44.
Goalers for Balranald were Bec Harvey, 34; and Macy Lloyd, 14.
The B-grade qualifying final between Nyah Nyah West United and Koondrook Barham was a thriller.
The NNWU Demons led 17-9 at half-time, but the River Raiders fought back brilliantly to win the third quarter, 8-3.
Both teams added eight goals in the last as Nyah Nyah West United held on for a 28-25 victory.
Goalers for the Demons were Nandia Brabham, 15; and Renae Caelli, 13.
Mandy Fulton led Koondrook Barham’s attack on 12 goals.
The elimination final went Swan Hill’s way, 36-29 against Mallee Eagles.
Swan Hill led 19-13 at half-time and 26-18 at the last change.
Mallee fought back to win the last, 11-10, but the Swans stayed in the premiership race.
Goalers for Swan Hill were Sophie and Millie Reed on 29 and seven.
Mallee’s attack was led by Deb Parsons, 21; Reagan O’Meara, 5; and Luca Devlin, 3.
In B-reserve, Swan Hill scored a 12-goal victory against Balranald in the qualifying final.
The Swans led 21-17 at half-time and then dominated most of the third to win it, 11-6.
Ryley Purcell scored a match-high 31 goals in a 43-31 victory for the Swans.
Balranald’s leading goaler was Lani Wilkinson with 16.
In the elimination final, Kerang scored a 37-33 win against Cohuna Kangas.
Zenda Peacock scored a match-high 21 goals for the Blues as Harley Tarr added 16.
Alyce Mathers scored 16 goals for the Kangas.
A closely-fought 18-and-under qualifying final was played between Cohuna and Mallee Eagles.
The Mallee line-up led 12-9 at quarter-time, but the Kangas fought back to lead 26-22 by the main break.
The margin was just two goals in favour of Cohuna going into the final term.
Ebony Black scored 38 goals and Sammi Moon added 11 in a 49-45 victory for the Kangas.
In the elimination final, Swan Hill marked a 53-41 win against Woorinen.
The Swans led 26-24 at half-time and then won the crucial third quarter, 13-7.
Just one goal separated Kerang and Tooleybuc Manangatang in the 16-and-under qualifying final.
The Blues led 27-15 at half-time and 34-24 going into the final.
Tooleybuc Manangatang’s play lifted dramatically in the last quarter.
The Saints scored 15 goals and held the Blues to a tally of six.
A dramatic contest went Kerang’s way, 40-39.
Goalers for the Saints were Jayda Plant, 33; and Paige Pratt, 6.
Cohuna stayed in the premiership race after a 67-46 win against Lake Boga in the 16-and-under elimination final.
The Kangas led 29-23 at half-time and then won a high-scoring third term, 21-12.
Zoe Pollock was in brilliant form as she scored 50 goals and Maddy Black added 17 in a 67-46 result.
Lake Boga’s attack was led by Montana Davies on 29.
In the 14-and-under competition, Tyntynder scored a seven-goal win against Lake Boga in the qualifying final.
The Bulldogs led 18-13 at half-time and 25-16 going into the last.
Although the Magpies won the final term, 7-5, it was Tyntynder which netted a 30-23 victory.
The elimination final between Woorinen and Koondrook Barham went the Tigers’ way, 38-21.
Harper Free scored 16 goals for the Tigers.
Goalers for Koondrook Barham were Eve Snowdon, 12; and Taylah Prattnener, 9.
Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Balranald’s Greenham Park:
A-grade at 2.40pm: Lake Boga v Swan Hill.
A-reserve at 1.15pm: Mallee Eagles v Lake Boga.
B-grade at 11.50am: Woorinen v Nyah Nyah West United.
B-reserve at 1.15pm: Koondrook Barham v Swan Hill.
18-and-under at 10.25am: Tyntynder v Cohuna.
16-and-under at 9am: Woorinen v Kerang.
14-and-under at 10.25am: Mallee Eagles v Tyntynder.
Schedule for Sunday’s first semi-finals at Barham:
A-grade at 2.40pm: Woorinen v Mallee Eagles.
A-reserve at 1.15pm: Woorinen v Balranald.
B-grade at 11.50am: Koondrook Barham v Swan Hill.
B-reserve at 1.15pm: Balranald v Kerang.
18-and-under at 10.25am: Mallee Eagles v Swan Hill.
16-and-under at 9am: Tooleybuc Manangatang v Cohuna.
14-and-under at 10.25am: Lake Boga v Woorinen.