Bairnsdale’s under 17 netball side will play Traralgon this Saturday at the Morwell Recreation Reserve for a place in the 2025 Gippsland League grand final.
Both teams have only lost one match for the season (to each other), and with a superior percentage the Maroons were afforded a week off, while the Redlegs made easy work of their qualifying final assignment against arch rival, Sale.
With Maizy Duck, Olivia Pearson (eight goals), Mia Ballinger (27) and Eve Sabell (15) all on fire, the Redlegs withstood a spirited Magpie challenge in the first half, before putting their opponent to the sword in an impressive third quarter scoring avalanche (12-4), through some tight full-court defence which created many turnovers resulting in conversion through some accurate scoring.
Bairnsdale won all four quarters and ran out an emphatic 50-32 winner, with its eyes firmly focused on Traralgon.
The Redlegs were narrow winners at home early in the season (41-38), but came back to earth with a thud when the two sides met late in the season at Traralgon, the Maroons super impressive, victorious 51-31.
There was disappointment for Bairnsdale in “A” grade, unable to match last year’s performance where it made it through to week two of
the finals.
Last year’s nemesis Drouin again struck, playing four consistent quarters and never allowing the Redlegs to get on any sort
of roll.
The Hawks were a five-to-six-goal better side in
every stanza, running out 59-37 winners.
Anna Mooney (26) and Sally Deller (13) converted hard-earned opportunities, with the best players led
by Paris Dunkley and
Alison Dwyer.
Drouin will play Morwell in another do or die match this Sunday at Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe.
