What an amazing weekend of Finals played in perfect Spring conditions. Congratulation to both the Camperdown FNC and the Portland FNCC who hosted a fantastic first week of finals and there were some closely contested games of netball played across both days.
In the main game on Saturday, Cobden had a very strong first quarter and took a nine goal lead into the first break. Koroit tightened up the contest for the remainder of the game but the defensive pressure from the Bombers was very effective, limiting the Saint’s scoring opportunities. Cobden were eventual winners 47 – 29. On Sunday in Portland, when Warrnambool took on the Hamilton Kangaroos , the Blues took the early lead with a five goal buffer going into the second quarter. The Kangaroos challenged the Blues in patches and had the momentum in the last quarter but inaccurate shooting cost them dearly late in the game. Warrnambool went on to win 42 – 38.
Junior Netball Best and Fairest Awards
Congratulations to all the Award winners at this year’s Junior Best and Fairest Count last Monday night.
There were some outstanding results across all grades of netball. Congratulations to the following winners.
13/U Reserves: Winner – Lottie Wilkinson, South Warrnambool FNC; Runner Up – Athena Chivell, Cobden FNC.
13/U: Joint Winners – Lexie Dwyer, Port Fairy FNC & Molly Sevior, Hamilton Kangaroos FNC; Runner-Up – Charlotte Hinds, Camperdown FNC
15/U Reserves: Winner – Stella Patterson, South Warrnambool FNC; Runner Up – Layla Nicholson, Warrnambool FNC
15/U: Winner – Indiana Cameron, Camperdown FNC; Runnup Up – Lara Clarke, Terang Mortlake FNC.
17/U Resereves: Winner – Shelby Cameron, Cobden FNC; Runner Up – Paige Kermeen, South Warrnambool FNC.
17/U Rebekah Moroney Memorial Medal – Winner – Scarlett O’Donnell, Koroit FNC; Runner Up – Ella Sevior, Hamilton Kangaroos FNC.
My Top Picks for the Dot Jenkins Best and Fairest Award
The Dot Jenkins Medal Best and Fairest Count, along with all the other Grades of netball Best and Fairest Awards are being counted next Sunday, September 17th.
South Warrnambool took out the Minor Premiership and will have lots of Best on Court votes – I anticipate Annie Blackburn and Ally O’Connor will be amongst the leaders board as the final votes are counted. Sophie Barr has had a consistent season and Remeny McCann has had another stellar year. Can Remeny take out Back to Back medals? Millie Jennings has been amongst the better players for the Saints often throughout the season, as has Maddison Vardy from the North Warrnambool Eagles. Amy Wormald has also had a great Season with the Blues.
My Predictions for this Week
I’m looking forward to witnessing two great contests this weekend in the Open Netball. On Saturday at Terang, South Warrnambool and Cobden play off for a place in the Grand Final. Their home and away record is one a piece and both teams are capable of producing high quality netball. Accurate shooting and high pressure defence are skills both teams possess. I think the difference between the two sides is through the centre court and perhaps the Roosters will have the edge over the Bombers. I expect the game to be close but I tip South will get over the line narrowly. On Sunday at Port Fairy, Warrnambool come up against Koroit. This will be another tightly contested match and once again I think the game will be won through the centre court. Warrnambool last week displayed great composure and were a much more settled side than their opponent but I believe Koroit’s young talent through the centre court will be hard to break and will probably be the difference between the two sides. Koroit will get over the line in another close game.
Good Luck to all teams competing in Finals this weekend.
