MOUNT Pleasant faces an incredibly difficult task this Saturday against the unbeaten Colbinabbin in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL’s A-grade netball grand final.
The Blues and Grasshoppers will take to court one at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve at 2.30pm.
Runner-up the past two seasons, a Colbinabbin team coached by Jen McIntyre has dominated many matches this season.
A 17-nil run by the Grasshoppers includes a 72-38 win on their court at M.J. Morgan Oval against Mount Pleasant in the ninth round.
Warm-up for the finals involved the 18th round clash on the Blues’ court in Toolleen where the green and gold marked a 71-38 victory.
Colbinabbin’s only hit-out so far in the finals was a 61-40 victory against White Hills in the second semi-final on the Grasshoppers’ court.
An 11-5 run by Mount Pleasant in the home-and-away series earnt third place behind Colbinabbin and White Hills.
The Anthea McCleary bounced back from a 52-55 loss to White Hills in the qualifying final to win the first semi against Huntly at Lockington by 20 goals.
Mounts then overcame the Demons hoodoo which had lasted more than 10 seasons to score a 45-40 win against the red and black in last Saturday’s preliminary final in Elmore.
A formidable Colbinabbin team includes goal attack or goalshooter Ella Kerlin who capped a brilliant home-and-away series by earning the Esther Cheatley Medal as league fairest and best.
The Grasshoppers’ co-captains are Ella Kerin and gun defender Tanzin Myers.
Colbinabbin also has the big-game experience of mid-courter Olivia McEvoy who is a multiple winner of the Esther Cheatley Medal.
In defence the green and gold has Elle Palmer who is brilliant at winning rebounds and marking intercepts.
Just over a week after playing a starring role in Castlemaine’s grand final victory in the Champions IGA-backed CVFL senior women’s footy grand final, Maeve Tupper will lead Mount Pleasant on the netball court.
A brilliant centre, Tupper played her 150th club game in Mount Pleasant’s preliminary final victory.
This season’s recipient of the HDFNL Rising Star award, Ruby Loverso will play a crucial role at goal defence.
In defence the Blues have Ivy Harrop at goalkeeper.
The versatility of Claudia Collins is another huge asset for the Mounts line-up.
Colbinabbin’s team:
Kasey Conder, WA, C; Ella Kerlin, GA, GS; Macy McCaig, WA, C; Olivia McEvoy, C, WD, WA; Grace McIntyre, WD, C, WA; Matilda Mclntyre, GS, GA; Tanzin Myers, GD, GK, WD; Dominique Palmer, GS, GA; Elle Palmer, GK, GD; Chelsea Whittle, GK, GD, WD, C.
Coach: Jen McIntyre.
Mount Pleasant:
Meg Banfield, WA; Maggie Burke, GK, GD, WD; Claudia Collins, GS, GK, GD; Chloe Gray, WA, C; Ivy Harrop, GK; Maisy Harrop, GK, GS; Keeley Jones, GA, GS; Ruby Loverso, GD, GK, WD; Matisse Perez, WD, C, WA; Remi Phillips, GS, GA, WA; Maeve Tupper, C; Morgan Whatley, WA, GS.
Coach: Anthea McCleary.
Colbinabbin’s run to the grand final:
Rd 1: bye.
Rd 2: d Heathcote, 90-22 at Pigeon Park, Heathcote.
Rd 3: d Lockington Bamawm United, 79-24 at Nichol Trading Oval, Lockington.
Rd 4: d Leitchville Gunbower, 96-36 at Leitchville.
Rd 5: d Elmore, 76-20 at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin.
Rd 6: d North Bendigo, 65-32 at Bendigo Club Oval, North Bendigo.
Rd 7: d White Hills, 70-37 at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin.
Rd 8: d Huntly, 69-36 at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
Rd 9: d Mount Pleasant, 72-38 at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin.
Rd 10: bye.
Rd 11: d Heathcote, 73-38 at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin.
Rd 12: d Lockington Bamawm United, 81-37 at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin.
Rd 13: d Leitchville Gunbower, 98-34 at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin.
Rd 14: d Elmore, 70-23 at Elmore.
Rd 15: d North Bendigo, 71-23 M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin.
Rd 16: d White Hills, 86-37 at Scott Street, White Hills.
Rd 17: d Huntly, 81-40 at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin.
Rd 18: d Mount Pleasant, 71-38 at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin.
2nd semi-final: d White Hills, 61-40 at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin.
Mount Pleasant’s run to the grand final:
Rd 1: d Heathcote, 61-24 at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin.
Rd 2: d Lockington Bamawm United, 62-32 at Nichol Trading Oval, Lockington.
Rd 3: d Leitchville Gunbower, 63-33 at Toolleen.
Rd 4: lt Elmore, 32-49 t Elmore.
Rd 5: d North Bendigo, 52-34 at Toolleen.
Rd 6: lt White Hills, 30-53 at Scott Street, White Hills.
Rd 7: d Huntly, 55-42 at Toolleen.
Rd 8: bye.
Rd 9: lt Colbinabbin, 38-72 at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin.
Rd 10: d Heathcote, 62-32 at Pigeon Park, Heathcote.
Rd 11: d Lockington Bamawm United, 49-43 at Toolleen.
Rd 12: d Leitchville Gunbower, 67-38 at Gunbower.
Rd 13: d Elmore, 62-28 at Toolleen.
Rd 14: d North Bendigo, 52-40 at Bendigo Club Oval, North Bendigo.
Rd 15: lt White Hills, 44-52 at Toolleen.
Rd 16: d Huntly, 64-40 at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
Rd 17: bye.
Rd 18: lt Colbinabbin, 38-71 at Toolleen.
Qualifying final: lt White Hills, 52-55 at Gunbower.
1st semi-final: d Huntly, 59-39 at Lockington.
Preliminary final: d White Hills, 45-40 at Elmore.
In A-reserve, the Harlowe Huntly Hawks take on Colbinabbin.
A Huntly team coached by Ashlea Sherlock and Kym Bell has a two-nil record against Colbinabbin this season.
Huntly won the round eight clash with the green and gold at Strauch Reserve by 15 goals.
In round 17 the Hawks soared to a 56-45 win in Colbinabbin.
After finishing the regular season on top of the ladder, Huntly netted a 53-48 win against Mount Pleasant in the second semi-final.
A big run for the Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin through the finals includes a a 48-56 loss to Mount Pleasant in the qualifying final, a 55-45 win against White Hills in the first semi.
The Grasshoppers clung on for a 46-44 win against Mount Pleasant in the preliminary final.
Key players for Huntly include Eve and Rose, Crowe, captain Phoebe Kane, Jenna Baker in attack, and the experienced Holly Guerra.
Colbinabbin captain Morghan Hughes will play a key role in mid-court as will Mikayla Palmer in defence, Lucy White on the wings or in the centre, Macy McCaig, and defender Chelsea Whittle.
Huntly
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, Mackenzie Trotter.
Coaches: Ashlea Sherlock, Kym Bell.
Colbinabbin
Morghan Hughes, C, WD, WA; Sadie Martin, C, WD; Macy McCaig, WA, C; Nicole McEvoy, GA, GS, WA; Aggie Minne, GD, GK, WD; Dominique Palmer, GS, GA; Mikyala Palmer, GK, GD, WD; Emily Percy, GK, GD; Lily Wareham, GA, GS, WA; Lucy White, WD, C, WA; Chelsea Whittle, GK, GD, WD, C.
Coach: Jen McIntyre.
It’s a showdown between the Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons and Huntly Hawks in B-grade.
It was one-all across the home-and-away series.
The Megan Runnalls and Taylor Mann-coached Huntly scored a 52-44 win at home against the Demons in round five.
Next time it was the Laurinda Sawyer-coached Demons who fired their way to a 48-33 win on their court in the 14th round.
Latest meeting between the teams was the second semi-final at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval.
A 40-37 win meant a White Hills team captained by Zoe McLean was first to the grand final.
Huntly began the finals series by scoring a 50-47 win against Mount Pleasant in the qualifying final.
After the second semi, Huntly hit back for a 16-goal win against Mount Pleasant in the preliminary final.
White Hills
Sarah Bibby, GK, GD, WD; Ava Broderick, GA, GS, GK; Hollie Davidson, C, WA, WD; Kylie Lamb, GA, GS, WA; Emily McGavock, WA, C, GA; Zoe McLean c, WD, C, WA; Piper Nally, WD, C, WA; Eliza O’Brien, GD, GK; Ash Plant, GK, C, WA; Karly O’Toole, GS, GA.
Coach: Laurinda Sawyer.
Huntly
Jenna Baker, Morgan Bibby, Simone Corboy, Emamee Davis, Anna Kane, Maddi Kennedy, Darcee Mann, Molly Mathisen, Mel Matthews, Georgia Moulday, Laura Parkhill, Karlee Schade, Britney Shaddock.
Coaches: Megan Runnalls, Taylor Mann.
The B-reserve match features Huntly against Mount Pleasant.
The Lauren Campbell and Montana Barber-coached Huntly overcame the Blues by margins of seven and 23 goals in their home-and-away contests.
Mount Pleasant began its finals campaign with a 38-43 loss to White Hills in the qualifying final.
A week later and Huntly marked a 20-goal win against White Hills.
The Blues stayed in the premiership race as they won the first semi-final against North Bendigo by 11 goals.
A superb preliminary final between Mount Pleasant and White Hills ended in a 52-51 victory for the Rochelle Young and Jess Dooly-coached Blues.
Huntly
Laura Bawden, Morgan Bibby, Kiara Cowling, Emarnee Davies, Holly Guerra, Adele Jeffries, Madi Lawrence, Melissa Matthews, Ruby Morrish, Maddy Townsend, Alexis Whyte.
Coaches: Lauren Campbell, Montana Barber.
Mount Pleasant
Imogen Ash, GD, GK; Matilda Costello, C, WA; Jannah Donaldson, GS, GA; Jess Dooly, WA, C; Claire Dunstan, GS, GA; Maddy Gargiulo, WA, C; Rhylie Jones, GS, GA; Michelle Mannes, WD, WA; Sophia Monotti, WD, C; Shae Osborn, WA; Molly Teasdale, vc, WD, GD, GK; Kara Thompson c, GK, GD, WD; Piper Wright, GD, GK.
Coaches: Rochelle Young, Jess Dooly.
It will be the Hawks against the Blues as Huntly faces Mount Pleasant in the 17-and-under grand final.
In round seven, Mount Pleasant fought for a 38-36 win against the Hawks in Toolleen.
Next time it was Huntly which dominated play to net a 61-36 victory on the Strauch Reserve court.
The Hawks and Blues also clashed in the second semi-final which went the way of the brown and gold, 52-25.
Mount Pleasant won the qualifying final against White Hills by five goals, was outgunned by Huntly, and then hit back for a 41-37 win against White Hills in the preliminary final.
Huntly
Jayda Alford, GK, GD, WD; Maleah Alford, GK, GD; Jorja Bell, GD, WD; Bella Clohesy, GD, WD; Taz Farrie, GK, GD; Ella Ferguson, GS, GA; Lill Gilchrist, C, WA, WD; Ruby Morrish, GD, WA, WD; Georgia Moulday c, GS, GA, C, WA; Mackenzie Trotter, GS, GA, GK, GD.
Coach: Jasmin Gallagher.
Mount Pleasant
Daisy Costello, GS, GA, WA; Amy Jefferis, WD; Rhylie Jones, GS, GA; Paige Kristiansen, WA; Bella Lalor, GK, GD; Lannah Mayman, WA, C, WD; Emily McCooke cc, GS, GA, WA, C; Eva Mullane, C, WA, WD; Tarli Nihill cc, C, GA, GS; Lexie Walsh, GS, C; Lucy Wilkinson, GK, GD.
Coaches: Carly Francis, Kealy Rogers.
At 15-and-under level it’s Lockington Bamawm United up against White Hills.
The Narelle Bacon-coached LBU Cats dominated both showdowns with the Demons in the home-and-away series.
It was 65-24 in favour of LBU at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval in round nine.
The round 18 clash at White Hills ended in a 55-36 win for the Cats.
Margin was much closer in the second semi-final as LBU marked a 57-42 win against the Demons.
White Hills won the qualifying final against Elmore by 23 goals and then clinched a 49-48 victory against Huntly in the preliminary final to advance to the season’s biggest match.
LBU
Georgia Beasley, WA, GA; Ivy Giorgianni vc, GK, GS, Sophie Jardine, C, WA, WD; Sadie Laffy, GK, GS; Eliza Leeds, GS, GK; Keeley Major, WA, C; Keira Mitchell c, GD, GK; Taya Tamblyn, GA, GD; Madi Van Poeteren, WD, GK.
Coach: Narelle Bacon.
White Hills
Ava Ah-Dore, GS, GK; Georgie Coller vc, GD, WD, Milla Cooney, WD, WA, GK; Poppy Gladstone, GA, GS; Isabel Hanson, GA, GS, GK; Chloe Hipwell, GK, GD; Belle Howes, C, WA; Ruby Miller, C, WA; Charlotte Squibb c, WD, WA; Mia Stevens, WA, C; Sammi White, GK, GD; Jessie Wilson, WD.
Coach: Kristi Coller.
It will be the Cats against the Grasshoppers as Lockington Bamawm United faces Colbinabbin in the 13-and-under grand final.
First meeting between these teams this season was in round three where LBU won 29-10 in Lockington.
A goal separated them in round 12 as the Cats clawed their way to a 23-22 result on Colbinabbin’s court.
After a 29-21 win against Elmore in the qualifying final, Colbinabbin met LBU in the second semi-final.
Defences were on top for a lot of the match as the Cats won 18-15.
The Grasshoppers bounced back for a 22-18 victory against Elmore in the preliminary final which was played on the Bloods’ court.
LBU
Marley Carnegie, Riley Chambers, Haddie Christian, Emily Connerty, Maiyah Hinck, Michala Keele, Chloe McIntyre, Lottie Newth, Zali Serpell.
Coaches: Beth Howlett, Rebecca Eade.
Colbinabbin
Ivie Borger, C, WA; Gracie Cox, GS, GA; Isla Knight, C; Maisy Masterson, GK, GS; George McFadzean c, GD; Frankie Ryan, GA, GS; Lucinda Ryan, WD, GK, WA; Holly Walsh, WD, WA; Madison West, WA, GK; Ruth Woodman, WD, GK.
Coach: Breanna Cox.
Schedule for the Heathcote DFNL netball grand finals on Saturday at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve in Gungurru Road:
17-and-under, court one at 8.30am: Huntly v Mount Pleasant.
13-and-under, court two at 8.30am: Lockington Bamawm United v Colbinabbin.
B-grade, court one at 10am: White Hills v Huntly.
15-and-under, court two at 8.30am: Lockington Bamawm United v White Hills.
B-reserve, court one at 11.30am: Huntly v Mount Pleasant.
A-reserve, court one at 1pm: Huntly v Colbinabbin.
A-grade, court one at 2.30pm: Colbinabbin v Mount Pleasant.