BY NATHAN DOLE
MACORNA has made its way to the A-grade netball grand final in the Golden Rivers Football Netball League.
The Tigers had home-court advantage as they played Moulamein in Saturday’s preliminary final at Macorna.
The yellow and black led 15-14 at quarter-time and 27-23 by the long break.
Being able to win the third quarter by two goals gave Macorna a 40-34 lead going into the last.
At the final whistle Macorna led the Swans, 53-40.
Details on goalscorers for both teams were not supplied.
Top two at the end of the home-and-away series, Murrabit and Macorna will now meet in Saturday’s grand final at Murrabit Recreation Reserve.
A 13-3 record meant Murrabit was top of the ladder 16 rounds as Macorna was next best on a 12-4 tally.
In B-grade, Macorna marked a five-goal win against Moulamein in the preliminary final.
Fourth at the end of the home and away series, Macorna has progressed from an elimination final to now face Murrabit in the season decider.
The Tigers led 9-7 at quarter-time and 19-13 by the main break.
Both teams added eight goals in the third term.
Although Moulamein won the last, 8-7, it was Macorna which celebrated a 34-29 victory.
The Tigers’ attack was led by Hannah Dee, 20; and Jasmine Williams, 14.
Goalscorers for the Swans were Megan Starick, 15; Jorja Henery, 9; and Rhiann O’Meara, 5.
The margin was a goal at the end of the B-reserve preliminary final between Ultima and Murrabit.
The Ultima Kangaroos led 10-5 at quarter-time before Murrabit hit back to win the second, 13-6.
Ultima then seized control to lead 28-25 going into the last quarter.
The Blues lifted to win the final term, 9-5, and the match, 34-33.
Goalscorers for Murrabit were Teish Nethercote, 24; Nicole Henry, 4; Lyla Morton 4; and Georgia Andrew-Mills, 2.
Ultima’s goalers were Zoe Benfield, 23; and Ebony Bull, 10.
After finishing the home-and-away series in fourth place, Murrabit is on a three-game winning streak in the finals.
The 17-and-under preliminary final ended in a nine-goal win for Hay against Wandella.
Down 6-7 at quarter-time, Hay hit back to win the second term, 12-8.
A three-goal buffer at the main break became five at the last change as the Lions won the vital third quarter, 12-10.
A high-scoring match went Hay’s way, 44-35.
Goalscorers for the Lions included Sienna Lund on 13.
Wandella’s attack was led by Coco Crellin, 22; and Molly Greenwood, 11.
Just two goals separated Ultima and Hay at the finish of the 14-and-under preliminary final.
Hay led 12-10 at quarter-time, but the Roos bounded to a 22-20 lead by the main break.
Although Hay won the third, 10-9, Ultima led 31-30 going into the last term.
A 10-9 tally in the last was enough for Ultima to clinch a 41-39 victory.
The Kangaroos will now face Murrabit in the first of Saturday’s grand finals.
The Blues and Roos had identical win-loss records of 13-3 in the home-and-away series.
Schedule for Saturday’s grand finals at Murrabit:
14-and-under at 9.15am: Murrabit v Ultima.
17-and-under at 10.45am: Ultima v Hay.
A-grade at 12.15pm: Murrabit v Macorna.
B-grade at 1.45pm: Murrabit v Macorna.
B-reserve at 3.15pm: Hay v Murrabit.