Stretched to the limit: Merrigum’s Jemma Albrey pulls in this big catch ahead of Avenel captain Adison Thornberry in the team’s one goal under-15 preliminary final loss on Saturday. Photos: Rohan Aldous.
Girgarre, Stanhope and Merrigum will all have representation in Saturday’s Kyabram district league netball grand finals after a thrilling finish to preliminary final weekend at Girgarre on Sunday.
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Merrigum has dual representation after its B-grade and under-17 teams both won places in the grand final — which will be played at Mooroopna on Saturday (September 17) — while Stanhope’s C-grade team will be in action and Girgarre’s under-13 team won its way through to the final after an overtime win.
At full-time in the under-13 preliminary final, Girgarre was tied with Dookie on 22 goals apiece, the pair unable to be split after the first extra time before the Kangaroos shot five goals to Dookie’s two and won overall 31-28.
Girgarre defender Sophie McDonald was named best-on-court, she and Jaida Miller spending the entire game in defence. Girgarre trailed by two at the first break, before taking a one-goal lead into half-time.
Mid-court star Kade Stirling worked with his goaling sister Tayla to shoot a winning score, with captain Skye McKernan doing her bit in defence on a wing.
Stanhope won the other under-13 preliminary final with a 28-20 scoreline against Tallygaroopna.
Captain Matilda Schubach was brilliant in goals, shooting 13 of the team’s 16 opening half goals for a five-goal lead.
A 9-4 third term extended the advantage for Stanhope after Ruby Barker and Rachael Polvere distributed the ball well from the mid-court.
– In another thriller, Merrigum’s under-15 team lost by a goal to Avenel in a see-sawing duel which saw Bulldogs defender Zeenat Ishola named best-on-court.
Avenel eventually won the match 34-33, having led by one at quarter-time before an 11-5 second term gave the Swans a 18-11 half-time lead.
Merrigum clawed its way back to four down by three-quarter-time and took the lead late in the match before losing by one.
Jemma Albrey moved from defence into attack in the second half for Merrigum and shot 16 of the team’s 22 second-half goals in a brilliant display.
Captain Alyssa Christou moved from goals to the centre for the second half to spark the comeback.
– Klaudia Shandley was best-on-court in Merrigum’s under-17 win against Shepparton East, her defensive work allowing her team a start to finish win.
After leading by two at quarter-time, Nicole Doherty shot 10 second term goals to influence a 16-5 term and a 13-goal half-time lead.
Merrigum eventually won the match 44-26, Kayla Gordon combining with Shandley to keep Shepparton East at bay in the second half.
– Stanhope and Merrigum contested a C-grade preliminary final at Girgarre on Sunday, a brilliant second term from Hayley Trevena for Stanhope the major difference.
Trevena shot 12 of her team’s 15 goals and it gave Stanhope a four-goal lead after Merrigum goaler Teneisha Deery had shot eight of her team’s nine first-quarter goals.
Merrigum responded to outscore Stanhope by one in the third term, but a 12-6 final quarter where Trevena shot 11 more goals allowed Stanhope a 38-29 win.
Anna Bray and Blynda Tranter worked hard for Merrigum in defence, as did Alexaia Andonaco, but it was the work of Stanhope’s Teagan Morrison and Bianca Atley in defence that guided their team into a grand final.
Lion and Bulldog: Stanhope’s Kate Twynstra contests this air ball with Merrigum’s Abbey Mottram in the C-grade preliminary final on Sunday.
Ball control: Tanya Gibbs is at full stretch for Merrigum in the final term of its one-goal loss to Avenel in the preliminary final at Tallygaroopna on Saturday.
Overtime win: Girgarre’s under-13 team celebrates a thrilling overtime win against Dookie on its home court, winning a spot in the grand final against Stanhope at Mooroopna on Saturday.
