This weekend sees the culmination of a long season’s work for twelve netball sides in the MCDFNL competition. Though there have been several upsets throughout the finals series, the final two from each grade have predominantly panned out to be those who were expected to make it through.
The valiant finals efforts of Carisbrook and Newstead were both cut short by the two favoured Grand Final sides, Lexton and Navarre in last weekend’s preliminary finals.
Lexton played Carisbrook in Saturday’s Preliminary Final and though playing some good netball, were just not able to put together the good four quarters that were needed if they were to have any chance at defeating Lexton. Lexton came away a relatively easy 18 goal winners at the final whistle.
They will face Navarre who faced a fair challenge in defeating eighth placed Newstead in Sunday’s 2nd Preliminary Final. Newstead were able to keep with Navarre for most of the game, but Navarre gradually started to build a lead in the second half to pull away to a 12 lead at the end of the game.
They will not be able to afford a slow start in Sunday’s Grand Final if they are to be a chance against Lexton. The last time the two met, it was Lexton who came away with the glory by an unexpected 22 goals. They will be keen to rectify this poor performance, but it will certainly be Lexton’s game to lose after dominating all season except for a disappointing loss to Maldon in Round 9. This will be the third time in four years that the two have met in a Grand Final, with each taking away a win in the previous matches and will definitely be one to watch.
B Grade also sees Lexton make an appearance in another Grand Final match up that has occurred before, with Lexton taking the glory. They will face Natte-Bealiba who defeated Carisbrook by 10 goals in Sunday’s 2nd Preliminary Final. Lexton won their place with an 11 goal win over Navarre in Saturday’s game.
Lexton have made it through the season undefeated, but Natte pushed them to within a goal on their last encounter. Both teams have been playing some exceptional netball which should provide for a cracker of a game that will come down to who performs best on the day.
While in both the A & B Grades it was the first and second placed ladder leaders who earned their Grand Final berth, C Grade sees eighth placed Harcourt take on third placed Newstead after both Natte-Bealiba and Royal Park bowed out of the finals series.
Harcourt have dominated in C Grade over the past few seasons, but with most of last season’s team either retiring or playing in B grade, they have a new look team this season and would be rapt with their Grand Final berth after finishing eighth leading into the finals series.
Newstead only lost three games through the home and away season, and went down to Royal Park in the first week of finals. They played strong games against both Avoca and Lexton though over the next couple of weeks to get the chance to play in the Grand Final.
Last time Harcourt and Newstead met, the result was a drawn game. There can be no such draw on Sunday however and each will be fighting hard for that premiership cup.
The junior Netball competition has provided some excellent netball through both the home and away and finals series. The 17&U finals series was certainly no exception with several close games, including a drawn final.
Last weekend’s preliminary finals both saw close games. Carisbrook managed to cling to a one goal lead to defeat ladder leaders Harcourt who were unable to capitalise on several key opportunities. In another close one, Navarre clung to a two goal lead after a comeback from Natte-Bealiba in the later half of their game.
The Navarre and Carisbrook match up should provide for a good game. Both met each other in the first week of finals and it was Navarre who came out the victors by two goals. Carisbrook will be out to prove a point, but Navarre would go into the game slight favourites.
The 15&U game sees Natte-Bealiba face Carisbrook after both finished on equal points atop the ladder at the end of the season. Each team only suffered the single loss through the season – to each other and have won both of their games through this finals series. This should prove to be a ripper of a game.
Finally, the 13&U competition will also see a Natte vs. Carisbrook match up. Natte have gone through the season undefeated and advanced to the Grand Final easily last weekend with a convincing win over Avoca.
Carisbrook also had a relatively smooth run through the finals series but would need to be playing their best if they wish to give Natte a run for their money.
Last Modified on 21/09/2012 17:26