KANGAROO Flat has one more hurdle to clear in its pursuit of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s A-grade netball premiership.
A Sandhurst team stacked with premiership winners stands in the way of the Kangaroos’ charge toward glory in Saturday’s grand final at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
This clash also features many of the stars in the Bendigo Strikers run to this season’s Victorian Netball League championship and 23-and-under finals.
Victory for the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos would cap an unbeaten run to be the league champions of 2025.
All three showdowns with the Dragons have gone Sandhurst’s way.
First meeting this season was in round four at Queen Elizabeth Oval where the Roos won 64-54.
The 11th round clash on the Kangaroos’ court at Dower Park ended in a 15-goal win for the hosts.
Just three goals separated the teams when they met in the second semi-final.
The Kangaroos fought on for a 52-49 victory to book another grand final appearance.
Past three grand finals for Kangaroo Flat have ended in defeat.
Last September it was Gisborne which beat the Roos, 43-41.
Two years earlier and Sandhurst scored a 48-33 win against Kangaroo Flat.
Both clubs featured in the 2019 grand final which went the Dragons’ way by seven goals.
It’s been nine years since the Kangaroos raised the premiership cup.
A team which beat Golden Square by nine goals in 2016 included young goaler Ruby Barkmeyer.
Capturing the ’25 title will not be easy against a Sandhurst team coached by Tamara Gilchrist who knows plenty about grand final success.
In a 10-year stint as the Dragons’ coach, Gilchrist was in charge through the four-peat which began with grand final triumphs against Golden Square in 2017, Gisborne a year later, and Kangaroo Flat in 2019.
There was no play in 2020 because of the COVID pandemic, and then the ’21 season was abandoned after 12 rounds because of COVID.
The Dragons fired up to win the ’22 decider against Kangaroo Flat by 15 goals.
A run at five-in-row for the maroon and blue was thwarted when the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne clinched a one-goal victory.
This grand final week began with Sandhurst centre Shae Clifford being declared the Betty Thompson medallist as fairest and best after Sunday’s vote count at Bendigo Club.
Clifford will play a crucial role in the grand final against Chelsea Sartori, a dual winner of the Betty Thompson medal and member of the Roos’ premiership team in 2016.
Wing defence Milly Wicks played her part in the Flat’s grand final triumph nine years ago and will be on court again this Saturday.
Mid-court contests will be a highlight.
Options for Kangaroo Flat in the centre, wing attack and wing defence include Chelsea Sartori, Milly Wicks, Ashley Ryan, Teal Hocking and Steph Greene.
Sandhurst’s mid-court is likely to be a mix of Shae Clifford, Meg and Darcy Williams, and Heather Oliver.
An incredible career for Oliver includes Betty Thompson Medal wins in 2015 and ’17.
Her big-game experience and cool play under pressure are a huge plus for the Dragons.
A strong Kangaroo Flat defence includes Alicia McGlashan who has played more than 300 games and is a multiple premiership winner.
Key targets in Kangaroo Flat’s attack are Ruby Barkmeyer, Teal Hocking and Abbey Ryan.
The Roos will have Ingrid Hopkins, Alicia McGlashan, Megan Wilson play crucial roles in defence.
Huge task for the Roos’ defenders against Bec Smith, Kelsey Meade and Kelsey Ralph.
On the defensive front Sandhurst has captain Sophie Shoebridge and Ruby Turner.
It may just take a defensive intercept or even a tip to force a turnover a two that can alter momentum and be a key factor in deciding whether it’s the Roos or Dragons who raise the Cup.
Kangaroo Flat’s journey to the grand final:
Rd 1: d Gisborne, 64-36 at Dower Park.
Rd 2: d Eaglehawk, 70-17 at Canterbury Park.
Rd 3: bye.
Rd 4: d Sandhurst, 64-54 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Rd 5: d Golden Square, 73-22 at Dower Park.
Rd 6: d Strathfieldsaye, 79-24 at Dower Park.
Rd 7: d South Bendigo, 83-19 at Harry Trott Oval, Kennington.
Rd 8: d Gisborne, 51-43 at Gardiner Reserve.
Rd 9: d Eaglehawk, 74-33 at Dower Park.
Rd 10: bye.
Rd 11: d Sandhurst, 63-48 at Dower Park.
Rd 12: d Golden Square, 84-26 at Wade Street.
Rd 13: d Strathfieldsaye, 68-27 at Triple M Park.
Rd 14: d South Bendigo, 72-49 at Dower Park.
Rd 15: d Eaglehawk, 94-27 at Dower Park.
Rd 16: d South Bendigo, 94-50 at Harry Trott Oval, Kennington.
2nd semi-final: d Sandhurst, 52-49 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Sandhurst’s charge to the grand final:
Rd 1: bye.
Rd 2: d Strathfieldsaye, 60-23 at Triple M Park.
Rd 3: d Golden Square, 65-29 at Wade Street.
Rd 4: lt Kangaroo Flat, 54-64 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Rd 5: d South Bendigo, 75-32 at Harry Trott Oval, Kennington.
Rd 6: d Gisborne, 50-32 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Rd 7: d Eaglehawk, 50-33 at Canterbury Park.
Rd 8: bye.
Rd 9: d Strathfieldsaye, 74-39 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Rd 10: d Golden Square, 69-27 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Rd 11: lt Kangaroo Flat, 48-63 at Dower Park.
Rd 12: d South Bendigo, 73-50 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Rd 13: d Gisborne, 44-39 at Gardiner Reserve.
Rd 14 d Eaglehawk, 66-25 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Rd 15: d Golden Square, 81-28 at Wade Street.
Rd 16: d Gisborne, 48-44 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Qualifying final: d Gisborne, 46-35 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
2nd semi-final: lt Kangaroo Flat, 49-52 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Preliminary final: d Gisborne, 44-39 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Just as it is in A-grade, Kangaroo Flat and Sandhurst will contest the A-reserve decider from 1.30pm.
The Ashley Ryan-coached Kangaroo Flat has won all three clashes with Sandhurst so far.
In round four the Roos won 47-42 on the QEO court.
Kangaroo Flat dominated play at Dower Park in the 11th round to net a 50-38 victory.
After tipping off its finals campaign with a 48-41 win against Gisborne in the qualifying final, Sandhurst could not stop the Roos’ charging to a 48-38 win in the second semi-final.
The Tamara Gilchrist and Rose Gallagher-coached Dragons struck back to win last Saturday’s preliminary final against South Bendigo by 21 goals.
Kangaroo Flat mid-courter Ella Wicks will be aiming to put a premiership medal alongside the Jenni Holborn Medal she earnt as league fairest and best this season.
Other key players for the Roos include goalkeeper Ava Lowndes; mid-courter Ella Pitto; and Lani Burns in attack.
A great season for Sandhurst’s Claire McGee earnt the Bart ‘n Print Rising Star award.
The team in maroon and blue includes Harriet Whiteacre in defence; Maggie and Tess Keating in mid-court; and Gabe Greene as goalshooter or goal attack.
Kangaroo Flat’s team:
Lani Burns, GS, GA; Bronte Deary, GD; Ava Hamilton, GA, GS, WA; Ava Lowndes, GK; Emma Moroney, WD, C; Ash O’Shea, GA, GS; Bella Pearce, WA, C; Bella Pitto, WA, WD; and Ella Wicks, C, WA.
Sandhurst:
Katie Dean, GD, GK; Maya Dignan, GS, GA; Gab Greene, GS, GA; Reese Gilchrist, GA, WA; Maggie Keating, C, WA, WD; Tess Keating, WD, GD; Claire McGee, GS, GA; Neve Pinner, WA, C, WD; Lucy Sherriff, WD, C; Harriet Whiteacre, GD, GK.
In B-grade, Kangaroo Flat takes on Gisborne from noon.
Gisborne won both matches in the home-and-away series by 13 and 19 goals.
The Kate Newman-coached Kangaroos tipped off the finals campaign by scoring a 45-32 win against South Bendigo in the qualifying final.
A week later and the Roos bound their way into the grand final after a 39-36 win against Gisborne in the second semi.
A Gisborne team coached by Rylee Connell and has Tarryn Rymer as assistant coach struck back to record a 51-44 win in the preliminary final against Strathfieldsaye Storm.
The Kangaroos have Darcie Fry and Claudia Shelton as co-captains, the experienced Brooke Lawry in attack, Nicola McIvor and Alex Rusbridge in mid-court, and Ashlye Faulkner as goal attack or goalshooter.
A player the Roos must work to limit the impact she has is Gisborne mid-courter Reese Sutton who earned the league’s fairest and best award.
Last season Taylah Ranieri led the race for the league medal in B-reserve.
Sutton and Ranieri will be on court Saturday along with Hannah Weier in attack, Olivia Fenn and Charlotte McMurray in defence, and Emily McDonald in mid-court.
Kangaroo Flat’s team:
Isabella Allan, GK, GD, WD; Laura Benbow, GS, GK, WA; Lily Dickson, WD, GK; Molly Drum, C, WD; Darcie Fry, GD, GK; Ashlye Faulkner, GA, GS; Chloe Fletcher, GS; Brooke Lawry, WA, GA, GS; Nicola McIvor, WA, C; Gemma Roberts, C, WA; Alex Rusbridge, C, WA; Claudia Shelton, GS, GA, WA.
Gisborne’s line-up:
Bella Connors, Charlotte Crook, Olivia Fenn, Emma Joyce, Nirvana Martin, Emily McDonald, Charlotte McMurray, Georgia Murray, Monty Paton, Reese Sutton, Taylah Ranieri, Hannah Weier.
Gisborne and Sandhurst will contest the B-reserve finale from 10.30am.
They met three times across the home-and-away series.
A Gisborne team coached by Shelley Farrugia and with Tarryn Rymer as assistant coach won two showdowns in the home-and-away series, and drew the other.
The Bulldogs won 51-26 in round six at the QEO; 35-30 at home on the Gardiner Reserve court in the 13th round.
Based on the result of their latest meeting, fans could be in for a dramatic finish.
The round 16 match between the Bulldogs and Dragons at the QEO ended in a 32-all draw.
After a 34-41 loss to Kangaroo Flat in the qualifying final the Katelyn McDougall-coached Sandhurst hit back to win the first semi against South Bendigo by 20 goals.
The Dragons then scored a 15-goal win against Kangaroo Flat in the preliminary final.
Gisborne marked a 48-27 victory against Kangaroo Flat in the second semi-final.
Players to watch in the red, white and blue include Bridget Salter, mid-courter Jessie Connors, captain Caytlyn Walker, the athletic Macey Drayton, and defender Kirsten Andrich.
Another brilliant season for Sandhurst captain and goal defence Briona Giddings earnt the league’s fairest and best award.
A big week for Giddings tipped off by being awarded life membership of the BFNL, along with Kangaroo Flat’s Nina Cass.
In defence the Dragons have Tarryn Knights who often rules the rebounding duels.
In mid-court it will be Laila Day and Brooke McClelland teaming up.
The Dragons also have the leadership of Sophie Giles, and the determined Isabelle Dalrymple who have fought back from injury to play finals.
Gisborne’s team:
Kirsten Andrich, Asha Connors, Jessie Connors, Macey Drayton, Shelley Farrugia, Sapphy McCarthy, Bec Merrett, Lily Prater, Phoebe Priest, Bridget Salter, Milly Shaw, Caytlyn Walker.
Sandhurst’s team:
Isabelle Dalrymple, Laila Day, Briona Giddings, Sophie Giles, Abbey Howard, Tarryn Knights, Matilda Lockyer, Tahli Maxted, Brooke McClelland.
Grand final action begins at 9am when Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye meet in the 17-and-under decider.
The Carol Cathcart and Rose Gallagher-coached Sandhurst won the round two clash in Storm territory at Triple M Park by three goals.
A round nine showdown at the QEO ended in a 56-48 victory for the maroon and blue.
The Dragons scored a 39-34 win against Golden Square in the second semi-final.
After a three-goal loss to Golden Square in the qualifying final, Strathfieldsaye beat Gisborne in the first semi by 20 goals.
The Fiona Schubert-coached Storm earnt a shot at premiership glory as it won the preliminary final against Golden Square by a goal.
In mid-court, Sandhurst captain Jaida Raco works hard on the attacking and defensive aspects of her game.
The athletic Lila Kelly has starred in defence and was Bendigo’s best in this season’s 17-and-under tournament campaign.
Rising stars for Sandhurst include Tahli Gilchrist, Diana Napoleon in defence, Ese Phillips and Maycee Rinaldi.
The play of Storm’s mid-courters Lucy Paton, Charlize Pinder, Charli McInerney and Chloe Tweed was crucial in the team’s latest win.
Strathfieldsaye’s attacking options include Maeve Cass, Lexie Fennell, Ady Neilson and Sophie McDermott.
In defence it will be Macey Murphy joining forces with Ella O’Gorman and Eden Pollard.
Sandhurst:
Tshari Brown, Mia Cox, Sarah Crowley, Tahli Gilchrist, Eva Grant, Lila Kelly, Diana Napoleon, Meg Pearce, Ese Phillips, Jaida Raco, Maycee Rinaldi, Milla Sherriff.
Strathfieldsaye’s line-up:
Maeve Cass, Lexie Fennell, Sophie McDermott, Charli McInerney, Macey Murphy, Ady Neilson, Ella O’Gorman, Lucy Paton, Charlize Pinder, Eden Pollard, Chloe Tweed.
Schedule for Saturday’s grand finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval, View Street, Bendigo:
17-and-under at 9am: Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye.
B-reserve at 10.30am: Gisborne v Sandhurst.
B-grade at noon: Kangaroo Flat v Gisborne.
A-reserve at 1.30pm: Kangaroo Flat v Sandhurst.
A-grade at 3pm: Kangaroo Flat v Sandhurst.