Netball
2 September, 2024
Demons through to the Grand Final following strong win
Laharum's A-grade netballers are through to the Horsham District Football Netball League Grand Final following a 17-goal win over Noradjuha Quantong at Edenhope Football Ground in Saturday's semi-final.
In windy and cold conditions, both teams took a few minutes to find their rhythm, missing a few shots on goal, but Laharum settled quickest and stormed to an early 10-3 lead in the first quarter before leading 14-5 at quarter-time.
It was goal-for-goal in the second, with Laharum edging its margin to 11 goals at half-time.
A stellar third quarter, with 12 goals scored while holding the Bombers to four goals, saw the Demons extend their lead to a match-winning 19 goals at three-quarter-time.
With the win assured, Rebecca McIntyre could play some players off the bench, and they did well to run the game out to win 44-27.
Caitlin Jones-Story scored 35 goals for the Demons, Maddison Iredell scored 9, and Melanie Russell was excellent throughout the game.
Shannon Couch and Taylor Shelley scored ten apiece for the Bombers, and Brooke Pay and Holly Nuske were excellent down back and through the centre, respectively.
Demons coach Rebecca McIntyre said their goal was to come out firing from the get-go.
"We know that the first quarter can make a big difference, and we knew that if we could get a five-goal lead, we could hold it, but it was a surprise for us that we had a nine-goal lead," McIntyre said.
"With the conditions the way they were, it's best to get a lead because you don't know what can happen with the weather.
"We played some of our best netball. Now that we are in the grand final, we can focus on it and what we need to improve when the big day comes around, one of which is unforced errors."
"There were a couple of times in the second and towards the end of the second where we turned the ball over, so we just need to work on those unforced errors because we know that whoever we play in the grand final, we need to bring four full quarters of netball."
Using the bench was valuable for the Demons as it gave them some experience in finals on the court.
"It was especially important for Keely Elliott and Ashlea Bylsma, especially Ashlea, who has been a B-grader and stepped up into A-grade this season and held her spot from good performances," McIntyre said.
"Even Rylee Hateley as well; it gives them confidence, and you never know what can happen in the grand final, so if we are in a position where we need to use them, we know they can come on court and do a role."
The Bombers will now play Rupanyup this coming Saturday in the preliminary final at Natimuk Showgrounds.