East Gippsland Football Netball League has a history of producing high-quality junior netball grand finals, and this weekend’s clashes look set to follow a similar path.
The under 17 encounter pits Orbost Snowy Rovers and Lucknow against each other — both quality sides that were separated by only two goals in the qualifying final at Lucknow.
The Blues are led by exciting competition best and fairest winner Lara Seal, who has also impressed at “A” grade level throughout the season. She gets great support from promising players like Makayala Edlington and Remmi MacDonnell, who all look to have bright futures.
Orbost has finished the season strongly, and it will be interesting to see how minor premier Lucknow bounces back after that qualifying final defeat. The Magpies were clinical in their defeat of Stratford in the preliminary final, so the signs are good.
Heidi Trinder has had an outstanding season for the Magpies, and she again looms as their key player in the quest for premiership glory. Charlotte Walkley, Tahnee Stephenson, and under 15 league best and fairest winner Claire Bryan are other players to keep an eye on in what looms as one of the closest contests of the day.
UNDER 15
Another fascinating contest awaits in the under 15s, with the demise of Lucknow creating added interest. The Magpies were the dominant side all season, going through the home and away fixture unbeaten before crashing out of the finals in agonising fashion, falling to Orbost Snowy Rovers by two goals in the qualifying final and Wy Yung by two goals in the preliminary final.
That sets the Blues and Tigers up for a shot at ultimate glory. The combatants met twice in the home and away season, resulting in a three-goal victory to Wy Yung in one encounter and a two-goal victory to Orbost Snowy Rovers in the other.
Wy Yung’s Indi Cavanagh, who finished runner-up in the league best and fairest, may be the player
standing between the Blues and ultimate success. Cavanagh has had a massive season, and another huge performance might see her side home, but the Blues — led by Leila Barnes and Gemma Geer — will have other ideas in another much-anticipated clash that could go either way.
UNDER 13
The unbeaten Wy Yung looks to have a mortgage on the under 13 decider, having beaten their grand final opponent Lucknow by 21 goals in the qualifying final.
Perhaps a guide to how good the Tigers are is the fact that the Magpies have remained unbeaten in their campaign against every other side.
Ellen Hill, Pippa Booth and Aster Cole lead the way for the Tigers.
Although they can expect to be challenged early by the Magpies, who boast quality players like Bonnie Anderson, Galaxy Connolly and Anna Bryan, it is unlikely Lucknow will be able to match them over four torrid quarters on the biggest stage.
It is a game with plenty of stars of the future, and a worthy entree on a big day of quality netball.
TEAMS
17 AND UNDER
Orbost Snowy Rovers
Harriet Freeman
Maki Edlington
Lara Seal
Lani Mundy
Remmi MacDonell
Emma Chapman
Jas Westaway
Zoe Kleinitz
Kira Burn
Gemma Geer
Leila Barnes
Coach: Hayley Boxall
Lucknow
Heidi Trinder
Laura Blackshaw
Emily Bryan
Tahnee Stephenson
Ayla Seymour
Ava Richards
Siobhan Duffy
Charlotte Walkley
Claire Bryan
Dillan White
Coaches: Ali Redenbach and Bess Smith-Entink
15 AND UNDER
Orbost Snowy Rovers
Billie Young
Jemima Seal
Gemma Geer
Mila Mundy
Isabella Barnes
Kayley Robinson
Leila Barnes
Abi Palmer
Hayley Russell
London Austin
Coaches: Gemma Barnes and Phoebe Porter
Wy Yung
Halle Davis
Indi Cavanagh
Millah Hutton
Zoe Nuttall
Ivana Pai
Lila Chila
Lexi Capobianco
Raiven Cole
Tilli Moar
Tully Robinson
Coach: Katelyn Van Doeselaar
13 AND UNDER
Wy Yung
Aster Cole
Ellen Hill
Peyton Beane
Quinn McGovern
Charlotte Dennison
Pippa Booth
Isla Ashwood
Luella Emmett
Tilly Ashwood
Ruby Linford
Coaches: Kate Eigner and Halle Jackson
Lucknow
Jasmine Lynch
Lexi Hansen
Bonnie Anderson
Galaxy Connelly
Anna Bryan
Milla Belfrage
Lara Pendergast
Evie Walsh
Sienna Budge
Hannah Veldhuizen
Coach: Bec Naylor
