In front of a parochial home crowd, Bairnsdale defeated Traralgon last Sunday in the Gippsland League “A” grade netball elimination final at Bairnsdale City Oval.
Traralgon went into the contest as warm favourites, having defeated the Redlegs on both occasions throughout the home and away season, but that didn’t deter Bairnsdale who handled the windy East Gippsland conditions with aplomb.
Nothing separated the sides early, the Redlegs opening a four-goal advantage late in the term, only for the Maroons to rally late in the stanza and cut the margin back to just two.
Paris Dunkley and Olivia Betts were making the Traralgon midcourt work for every possession, as Anna Mooney and Sally Deller found their range in the arc.
The second quarter saw the Redlegs go to another level off the back of some outstanding defence form Alison Dwyer and Brielle Malady, with Dwyer’s pressure and intercept skills causing numerous turnovers as Bairnsdale ran the Maroons ragged.
Bairnsdale scored 15 goals to three in the second term, at one stage scoring seven goals in a row as Dwyer continually thwarted Traralgon’s attacking efforts.
Paris Dunkley was dynamite through the centre, with Mooney continually finding great position, making converting easy.
With a lead of 14 at half time, the Redlegs were encouraged by the coaching panel to continue to run and challenge the opposition. The Maroons made a brief run early in the quarter, reducing the lead to 11 before Bairnsdale regained its mojo and pushed the lead back out 14 goals with 15 minutes to play.
The Redlegs pushed on during the final term, capping off a great game with an exceptional 18-goal advantage.
Bairnsdale will play Drouin this Sunday at Ted Sommerton Reserve in Moe for a place in the preliminary final.
The Bairnsdale under 17 netballers will also play on the same day after going down to Leongatha last Saturday at Maffra by 19 goals, the Parrots dominating every quarter.
