Demons power way to another grand final
WHITE Hills has won its way to a fifth consecutive A-grade netball grand final in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League.
The Demons won a closely-fought second semi-final showdown with Elmore at Gunbower on Saturday.
Premiers in 2018 and ’19, White Hills now has a chance to mark a rare premiership hat-trick after no season in 2020 and no finals last year.
Coach of the premiership-winning teams in 2018 and ’19, Lauren Bowles was rapt with a strong all-round performance in a 61-56 victory against Elmore.
The Demons’ attack was led by Olivia Treloar, 31, and the in-form Alyssa Cole on 29.
At the other end of the court, Molly Johnston was opposed to Elmore’s brilliant goalshooter and co-coach Gabe Richards.
The Demons led by eight goals at half-time, but the Bloods upped their pressure through mid-court.
In the last term, Elmore scored 15 goals as Richards was to the fore on the way to a game-high tally of 45.
The many fans were treated to another great contest between the league’s top two teams.
Beaten by Elmore at home earlier in the season, White Hills has now won the past two clashes with the Bloods.
Elmore’s Kelsey Niven overcame an ankle injury from the qualifying final to take her place in defence, but the Bloods had co-coach Allira Holmes, hamstring, and Andrea Wilson, calf, on the sidelines.
The Bloods will now take on Colbinabbin in next Saturday’s preliminary final on the Scott Street court in White Hills.
Although it had not beaten Mount Pleasant in the home and away series, Colbinabbin lifted for Sunday’s first semi-final on the Blues’ court at Toolleen.
The Grasshoppers fought for a 36-34 victory.
There was drama in the A-reserve second semi-final at Gunbower.
The match between Elmore and Colbinabbin was called off at half-time after officials noticed Elmore had played a player not listed on the team sheet.
The Grasshoppers led the contest at the main break and are now through to a grand final to be played on September 3 at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
Elmore was top of the ladder at the end of the home and away series and will now take on White Hills in this Saturday’s preliminary final at White Hills.
Scoreboard from second semi-finals played at Gunbower:
A-grade: White Hills d Elmore 61-56.
A-reserve: Elmore lt Colbinabbin 19-33.
B-grade: Elmore lt Colbinabbin 42-49.
B-reserve: Huntly d Leitchville-Gunbower 42-34.
17-and-under: Lockington Bamawm United d Mount Pleasant 44-39.
15-and-under: Lockington Bamawm United d Mount Pleasant 54-43
13-and-under: Lockington Bamawm United lt Elmore 20-22.
Scoreboard from first semi-finals played at Toolleen:
A-grade: Mount Pleasant lt Colbinabbin 34-36.
A-reserve: White Hills d Huntly 45-43.
B-grade: Huntly d Mount Pleasant 40-38.
B-reserve: White Hills lt Mount Pleasant 35-36.
17-and-under: White Hills d Leitchville-Gunbower 44-28.
15-and-under: North Bendigo lt Elmore 29-37.
13-and-under: Leitchville-Gunbower d Heathcote 39-11.
Schedule for Saturday’s preliminary finals on the White Hills court in Scott Street:
13-and-under at 8.45am: Lockington Bamawm United v Leitcvhille-Gunbower.
15-and-under at 8.45am: Mount Pleasant v Elmore.
17-and-under at 10am: Mount Pleasant v White Hills.
B-reserve at 10am: Leitchville-Gunbower v Mount Pleasant.
B-grade at 11.30am: Elmore v Huntly.
A-reserve at 1pm: Elmore v Huntly.
A-grade at 3.30pm: Elmore v Colbinabbin.
Written by Nathan Dole.