Hawks into A grade final
Drouin’s A grade will defend its title after qualifying straight into the Gippsland League grand final with a seven-goal win over rivals Traralgon.
A grade: Drouin 61 defeated Traralgon 54.
It was a repeat of last year’s grand final – with the same result. A display of brilliant, tough netball that no one can predict a winner of; even when the timekeeper stands up and starts to chase the umpire.
The first quarter saw the scores tied. Even at half-time, there was barely a centre pass in it.
It was the third quarter in which Drouin rose to the occasion. Ella Henderson took a stunning intercept straight out of the hands of Traralgon’s attackers and the Hawks were off and racing with four unanswered goals.
With goalers Stacie Gardiner and Karina Proctor rarely missing, it was an unanswered charge towards the grand final.
The pressure over every ball, the intercepts, the body on body and the team moral on court was brilliant. The Hawks hadn’t beaten Traralgon all season, but the finals was the time to do it.
The girls are looking forwards to a week off before the grand final and a chance to defend their premiership.
B grade: Drouin 41 Traralgon 54.
It was a tough end to the season for B grade, going down to Traralgon. Despite this, the girls can hold their heads high knowing they played some great netball.
Rachel Morris in wing defence showed just how pivotal that position can be when done right. And boy oh boy, did she do it right, taking hundreds of intercepts.
Backing her up were the other defenders, including Nat Sloan who attacked the ball outside the ring and also took intercepts. lost to
Moving into the midcourt, Kelly Hedley used her speed in both centre and wing attack to create turnovers in the middle.
No matter how many turnovers, you need to make them count on the scoreboard. The Drouin goalers did their best – with Kylie Proctor shooting some great ones under the pump.
The B grade girls know how tough the finals are. Commiserations girls after playing some brilliant netball. Under 17: Drouin 18 lost to Moe 38. It was a low scoring game, reflecting how much even the “junior” players in the sport still know how competitive and important finals are.
Taylah Marsh-Irwin held well in the ring and the goalers worked hard together to make the most of opportunities when they came.
All players worked hard to put pressure over the ball, with Alana Rippon spectacular in this. She was also integral when Drouin had the ball, working hard and taking every second pass down the court.
In defence, Lateisha Edwards played a great game, reading the ball well and taking a lot of turnovers.
As a team, these girls have learned this year what hard work is. Together they have grown and learned a lot about the sport – but hopefully what they take away is that they are still winners in the club’s eyes, will go on to be fantastic senior netballers and that they had some fun.