MILDURA’S strong first quarter created the gap they needed to win their top-four A-grade tussle against Ouyen United at Blackburn Park on Saturday.
Second-placed Mildura shot out to a seven-goal lead in an error-riddled first quarter against their third-placed rivals.
The game evened out, with Ouyen reducing the lead to three goals early in the last quarter. The difference between the sides was the ability of Mildura to capitalise on their scoring opportunities, which contrasted with Ouyen’s inconsistency in the attacking third.
Demons shooter Zara Copely encapsulated this, draining 12 goals in the last quarter to sniff out any further Ouyen advances to see Mildura win 43-35.
Dees coach and GK Sharon Watson was best on court, revelling in her match-up against Ouyen star Casey Crothers.
Watson feels her side’s self-belief will be a key to success in the finals.
“We have great self-belief in each other,” she said. “We’ve got a good mix of speed, youth and experience and we bond really well together as a group.”
Mildura will take on Wentworth in their qualifying final on Saturday, with the carrot of a grand-final appearance at stake.
“Wentworth is a big challenge,” Watson said. “You have to play four solid quarters, or you blink and you’re down by 10 goals, so playing four quarters will be our focus next week.”
Ouyen co-coach Casey Crothers was still confident in her team despite the loss.
“It was a tough game,” she said. “They are a good, big side. Our defence was really strong against a first-class attack in Mildura.
“They shot well and we didn’t shoot as well as we could have. We are still happy with where we are at moving into finals.”
Crothers mounted a strong case for the defence in their finals campaign.
“The pressure (our) put on any attack is first class,” she said.
“We will need to stick to our structures and plays and perform those one-percenters next week.”
Ouyen face a do-or-die final on Sunday against fourth-placed South Mildura, which they beat by just one goal back in round 16.
South Mildura staved off a spirited Merbein challenge on Saturday, winning 51-46 at Kenny Park.
Gun shooter Amy Lutz and centre-court dynamo Maddi Toms led the way for the Bulldogs.A Roo-beaut season
Wentworth finished the home-and-away season in the top two of all senior netball competitions.
In a great achievement for the club, the Roos were minor premiers in A grade and C grade, and came second in B grade and C Reserve.
The playing coach of the unbeaten top-grade Roos, Amanda Edwards, paid tribute to the club’s coaches and depth of talent.
“We have a really good group of coaches, and that’s from our juniors right through to our seniors,” Edwards said, after her side routed Robinvale Euston by 45 goals on Saturday.
“Our program is firing, but it’s taken time. These things don’t happen overnight.
“We all really enjoy playing together, and I believe that close bond helps build success.”
A-grade vice-captain and defensive workhorse Christie Becker starred for the Roos in the team’s 16th straight win, creating several turnovers for her teammates to exploit at the attacking end.
“Christie is one of those players who does all the one percenters that often go unnoticed,” Edwards said. “I was really happy with her game today.”
She said her team “can’t wait” for the finals to begin this Saturday, when the Roos take on the Demons for the right to advance to the indoor grand final at Mildura Sporting Precinct.
“It’s even feeling like finals weather with a bit more warmth in the air,” said Edwards, who drained 40 of her team’s 77 goals on Saturday.
“We knuckle down now and focus on Mildura for our first finals game and look at how we can do well in the key match-ups.
“They are very quick in the midcourt, similar to us. I think the result will come down to who handles the ball the best under pressure.”Tigers tame Swallows
Red Cliffs jumped Irymple early to set up the win in their A-grade match at Henshilwood Reserve on Saturday, running out 52-40 victors.
The visitors tackled a youthful Irymple outfit and were the more composed team early, resulting in a nine-goal quarter-time lead.
Red Cliffs coach Steph O’Loughlin was instrumental with her defensive intercepting and rebound game, and Jazmin Parker was efficient and accurate in goals.
With O’Loughlin subbed off due to a calf strain late in the second quarter, Irymple were able to work their way back into the game, squaring the next two quarters to remain in touch at the last break.
Irymple centre Shakara Delcastegne worked tirelessly up and down the court, and was ably supported by Leah Baynes as the defensive wing.
Despite all their efforts, the inexperienced but plucky Irymple outfit could not bridge the gap. Red Cliffs closed the game the better, outscoring their opponent by three goals to run out comfortable winners.
O’Loughlin was happy to notch up another win after the club’s barren run since 2015.
“It’s great to finish (the season) with that win,” she said. “I think the second half of the year, we played pretty consistent, we just haven’t been able to get those wins, but today proved that we can match it with those better sides.”
