Bairnsdale’s under 17 netballers, the defending premiers, led the way in week one of the Gippsland League finals series last Saturday.
Producing one of their finest performances of the season, the Redlegs dispatched Moe 41-18 at the Moe Recreation Reserve.
They will now take on undefeated Traralgon at the Morwell Recreation Reserve this Saturday for a direct path into the grand final.
Chloe Allen was in outstanding form, pulling down countless intercepts while Moe struggled to break down her defensive partnership with Elise Sabell.
Moe also had no answer to the speed and transition work of Maizy Duck and Liv Pearson, the latter finishing with 24 goals.
It was a complete team performance and a well-deserved reward for the squad’s hard work on the training track.
Despite week-one losses, Bairnsdale’s other three finals-bound netball teams remain firmly alive in the premiership race.
The under 13s went down to Maffra in a heart-stopping qualifying final, falling just short in a 23-22 thriller.
Haddie McLeod and Ally Wood-Laird combined strongly in defence to maintain relentless pressure throughout.
After a slow start, the Redlegs fought back to level the scores at three quarter time.
With the final term going goal-for-goal, luck favoured Maffra, who netted the winning goal on the final buzzer.
Haddie McLeod, Wood-Laird, and Bella Brodribb were among the best for Bairnsdale, while Olive Evans led the scoring with 12 goals.
The under 13s will now face Morwell on Sunday in a knockout elimination final at the Leongatha Recreation Reserve.
Bairnsdale’s under 15 side will also take plenty of confidence into week two following a disciplined, hard-fought effort that kept their contest tight deep into the final quarter.
Every player contributed, with Macy Brodribb, Piper Crawley, and Tulli McLeod (22 goals) standing out across all three thirds of the court.
Despite falling 33-29 to Leongatha, the Redlegs showed they possess the talent and squad depth to challenge for a grand final berth.
They turn their focus to Sunday’s elimination final against Moe at Leongatha.
It was a testing afternoon for Bairnsdale’s “A” grade squad against a physical Drouin side, eventually succumbing 51-29.
With illness affecting the squad, the Redlegs struggled to find their rhythm as momentum swung decisively toward Drouin during the middle two quarters.
To their credit, Bairnsdale refused to concede.
Inspired by Sally Deller, Paris Dunkley and Ruby Dunkley, they matched Drouin goal-for-goal in the final term.
However, the damage had been done early, with Anna Mooney shooting 20 goals for the match.
The “A” grade unit will reflect on the loss as they prepare for Sunday’s high-stakes elimination final against Leongatha at the Leongatha Recreation Reserve, knowing a win keeps their campaign alive and sets up a potential rematch with Drouin.
