COLBINABBIN capped an unbeaten run as it won the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball premiership on Saturday against Mount Pleasant.
The Grasshoppers and Blues met at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
Unbeaten across the home-and-away series and then in the second semi, Colbinabbin marked an 18th consecutive victory.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Grasshoppers went in as hot favourites to win the flag against the Blues.
It had been a superb effort by the Anthea McCleary-coached Mount Pleasant to bounce back from a qualifying loss to White Hills.
The Blues then beat Huntly in the first semi and White Hills in the preliminary final.
On grand final day, Colbinabbin won a closely-fought first quarter, 15-12.
The team in green and gold then upped its attacking ferocity in all thirds of the court.
As the Grasshoppers scored 16 goals in the second quarter they kept Mount Pleasant to a tally of nine.
A 10-goal lead for Colbinabbin at half-time grew significantly in the third term.
The Grasshoppers dubbed what many call the premiership quarter by scoring 20 goals as the Blues added nine.
By three quarter-time Colbinabbin led 51-30.
Both teams scored freely in the last.
Colbinabbin won the term, 20-12.
At the final siren the green and gold’s players, coaches, support staff and fans celebrated a 71-42 victory.
Co-captains were Ella Kerlin and Tanzin Myers.
Best-on-court honours went to Matilda McIntyre.
The grand final victory capped a memorable run for Ella Kerlin who earnt the Esther Cheatley Medal as league fairest and best.
Colbinabbin’s premiership-winning A-grade team:
Kasey Conder, Ella Kerlin, Macy McCaig, Olivia McEvoy, Grace McIntyre, Matilda McIntyre, Tanzin Myers, Dominique Palmer, Elle Palmer, and Chelsea Whittle.
Coach: Jen McIntyre.
The premiership win followed Colbinabbin being A-grade runner-up the previous two seasons.
It was four starts, four wins for the Harlowe Huntly Hawks in matches to decide the 2025 champions.
In A-reserve, Huntly took on Colbinabbin.
Fans were treated to a dramatic finish as the Hawks clung on for a 53-52 victory.
Best-on-court honours went to Huntly’s Nikita Matthews.
The Huntly Hawks A-reserve team was coached by Ashlea Sherlock and Kym Bell.
Premiership winners for the Hawks were Jenna Baker, Jorja Bell, Sarah Chalmers, Eve Crowe, Rose Crowe, Kysha Dowling, Holly Guerra, Cait Hinrichsen, Phoebe Kane, Darcee Mann, Nikita Matthews, Saran O’Connor, and Mackenzie Trotter.
In B-grade, Huntly and the Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons chased premiership glory.
The Hawks led 11-10 at quarter-time and 22-19 by the main break.
White Hills fired up to win the third term, 12-10, as Huntly led 32-31 going into the final term.
The Hawks responded to the challenge and surged clear for a 46-41 victory.
Best on court medal was presented to Molly Mathisen from Huntly.
The premiership team was coached by Megan Runnalls and Taylor Mann.
Huntly’s squad in B-grade was Morgan Bibby, Simone Corboy, Emarnee Davis, Anna Kane, Jenna Baker, Maddi Kennedy, Darcee Mann, Molly Mathisen, Mel Matthews, Georgia Moulday, Laura Parkhill, Karlee Schade, Britney Shaddock.
Just four goals separated Huntly and Mount Pleasant at the end of a thrilling B-reserve match.
The Hawks celebrated a 48-44 victory against the Blues.
Best on court medal was presented to Maddi Garguilo from Mount Pleasant.
Huntly’s team was coached by Lauren Campbell and Montana Barber.
The Hawks’ squad was Laura Bawden, Morgan Bibby, Kiara Cowling, Emanee Davies, Holly Guerra, Adele Jeffries, Madi Lawrence, Melissa Matthews, Ruby Morrish, Maddy Townsend, and Alexis Whyte.
A memorable day for Huntly began with a 25-goal win in the 17-and-under match with Mount Pleasant.
The Jasmin Gallagher-coached Hawks led 16-11 at quarter-time and then scored 19 goals in the second as the Blues were held to a tally of eight.
Mounts struck back to win the third, 11-10, but it was the Hawks who finished full of running.
By the final siren Huntly was up 63-38 as Tazma Ferrie led the charge to be best-on-court.
Lockington Bamawm United dominated the 15-and-under match against White Hills.
The Narelle Bacon-coached LBU Cats won 62-47.
Best-on-court honours went to LBU’s Eliza Leeds.
The Cats’ team was Georgia Beasley, Ivy Giorgianni, Sophie Jardine, Sadie Laffy, Kealey Major, Keira Mitchell, Taya Tamblyn, and Madi Van Poeteren.
It was a premiership double for Lockington Bamawm United as the 13-and-under team defeated Colbinabbin by six goals.
The Beth Howlett and Rebecca Eade-coached LBU raced to a 12-3 lead by quarter-time.
The Cats held an eight-goal buffer at half-time and were up by seven going into the last.
Colbinabbin worked hard to also win the final quarter by a goal, but it was the Cats who put their claws on the trophy as they netted a 31-25 victory.
Michala Keele from LBU earnt the best-on-court medal.
Heathcote DFNL netball grand final scoreboard:
A-grade: Colbinabbin 71 d Mount Pleasant 42.
A-reserve: Huntly 53 d Colbinabbin 52.
B-grade: Huntly 46 d White Hills 41.
B-reserve: Huntly 48 d Mount Pleasant 44.
17-and-under: Huntly 63 d Mount Pleasant 38.
15-and-under: Lockington Bamawm United 62 d White Hills 47.
13-and-under: Lockington Bamawm United 31 d Colbinabbin 25.