Netball
15 September, 2024
Horsham down Dimboola: rematch set for WFNL A grade netball grand final
Demons seals WFNL A Grade grand final spot with 48-41 victory.
Horsham have booked their ticket to the WFNL A Grand netball grand final following a thrilling 48-41 victory against Dimboola at the Murtoa Recreation Reserve on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
After its loss to Horsham Saints on September 7, the Demons bounced back and survived a second-half scare against the rampaging Roos.
After being down 25-17 at halftime, Dimboola fought back to be only one goal down at the final break.
However, Horsham's championship calibre was on full display in the fourth quarter, eventually winning by seven goals.
Coach Ebonie Salter said the side showed a strong positive attitude despite the flow of the game going against them after the main break.
"We've got a really strong defensive mindset across the board," she said after the game.
"We weren't quite getting there and weren't converting our turnovers for most of the game.
"We were just joking about playing last week we played 55 minutes of good netball and today, we played five good minutes, but it was just enough."
A key ingredient to the Demons' success was goal defence Romi Miller, who generated several interceptions in the first quarter.
"Romi has got a big tank," Salter said.
"Her timing coming around the ball ... her closing speed is just one of the best I've seen.
"She had a really good game. That great start got us off the mark."
Horsham started strong in the first quarter, establishing a 12-8 lead in the first quarter.
Goal-scoring duo Imogen Worthy and Georgia Batson went goal for goal throughout the half.
After the Roos double-teamed Batson, several of Worthy's first-half goals came in open space.
"Imogen comes up against some tough opposition that a lot of them a lot older than her," Salter said.
"She's really good at creating space for herself; she's come a long way this year."
A 13-9 second quarter gave the Demons an eight-goal lead at halftime.
Dimboola, needing a spark, took their captain, Olivia Beugelaar, for the much shorter Maddison Marra.
Marra's dynamic movement opened space for Nicole Polycarpou, who scored seven goals in the third quarter.
"I think they were just trying to mix it up a bit with us. And to be honest, it worked today," Salter said.
"I think they were just trying to trying to mismatch us and see if they could get some space in the goal ring."
"We're a bit too slow to adjust to that change."
With the slight lead, the coach rallied her side to regain control of the match and a chance to play in the grand final.
"At the end of the third quarter I said we didn't want to come off [at the end of the game] feeling the way we were coming off at that three quarter time break," Salter said.
"We knew that we were playing not very well and that we had the belief that we could still do it without making any changes
"We dug deep and got back to basics. Once we did that, we pulled away on the scoreboard."
The Demons saved their best until the last, scoring 15 goals in the fourth quarter.
Worthy finished with 27 goals at 77 per cent accuracy; Batson added 21 (84%).
Beugelaar scored 17 goals (74%) for Dimboola, Polycarpou added 14 (74%) and Marra netted nine (75%).
Horsham will play Horsham Saints at the WFNL grand final in Dimboola on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Warriors victorious in minor grades
Stawell will have two sides in the WFNL grand final, with its B and C Grade teams winning their preliminary finals.
The Warriors defeated Horsham Saints 57-42 thanks to 53 goals (80%) from Holly Graveson.
Graveson scored 11 goals in the first quarter before scoring 14 in the second, third and fourth quarters.
At the other end, Saints goal attack Holly Combe finished the game with 31 goals (82%), while Sophie Taylor added 11 (79%).
Taylor was named best on court for the Saints, alongside Zeena Kelm, who was matched up against Graveson; Kelm cut off several final passes to Graveson, leading to the counter-attack.
Warriors centre Jade Cross was named best on the court alongside Graveson.
In C Grade, Stawell led the entire game against Horsham, winning 22-18.
The Demons did not go down without a fight and could have tied the game in the final quarter, but could only convert one of the final five shots.
Michelle Beaton scored most of the Warriors' total with 17 goals (52%), while teammate Kristy Ainley scored five (56%).
Hayley Pope was Horsham's top scorer with eight goals (47%), with Georgie Hobbs adding six (40%) and Lucy Scott chipping in with four (37%).
In C Reserve, the Saints booked will take on rivals Horsham after defeating Dimboola 44-18.
Breanna Dyke scored 26 goals (74%) for the victors, and teammate Rori Marshman scored 18 (67%).
Tara Petschel scored eight (62%) for the Roos, while Maddison Petschel added four (67%).
Demons win three junior finals
Horsham will have a strong crowd in Dimboola following victories in the preliminary finals for the under-13s, under-15s, and under-17s.
Starting in fresh, single-digit temperatures, the Demons defeated Stawell 22-15 in the day's first game.
After a four-all start, Horsham broke the deadlock before halftime with a 6-4 second quarter.
Buoyed by its lead, the Demons enjoyed the best quarter of the game.
Ryder Thomas moved into goal shooter and scored seven goals in the quarter with Poppy White.
At the final break, Horsham led 17-12.
Needing goals, Stawell upped its intensity but turned the ball over in the middle of the court.
The Warriors could only muster three goals in the quarter, ultimately going down by seven goals.
White finished with 12 goals (71%) for Horsham, and Thomas added eight (75%).
Matilda Egan scored 11 (65%) for the Warriors.
Horsham defeated Ararat in a tight tussle in the under-15s preliminary final, winning 28-21.
Heading into the game, the Demons were motivated, having lost the qualifying final to the Rats on August 31.
Ararat looked to create another upset and lead 8-7 after the first quarter.
A nine-goal second quarter - with Abbey Wiedermann adding eight goals - gave Horsham the lead before halftime.
Defensive adjustments from both sides slowed down scoring in the third quarter, resulting in the fewest goals scored.
Yet, the Demons extended its lead to five goals at the final break.
With a spot in the grand final on the line, the players put everything on the line in the name of winning.
At the final whistle, Horsham won by six goals; the team will take on Horsham Saints on September 21.
Wiedermann finished with 20 goals (91%) for Horsham. Rani Potter added 9 (53%).
Ararat's Eleanor Sladdin scored 16 (85%), and Addison Lardner added seven (41%).
Horsham sealed the trifecta of junior wins, defeating the Warrack Eagles 53-34.
The Demons got a strong start with a 7-1 lead in the first quarter before Warrack found its groove.
Despite the Demons' lead, the Eagles showed resilience, fighting back before half time with an 11-8 second quarter, narrowing the margin to eight goals.
A 10-6 third quarter pushed the margin to 12 goals, before a 16-9 final quarter gave the Demons a 19-goal win.
Horsham were formidable in the front court, putting up almost 80 shots on goal while limiting the Eagles to 54.
Maddison Scott scored 29 goals (71%) for Horsham, while her partner Zarli Knight added 24 (61%).
Kyah Livingston finished with 17 goals (66%) for Warrack, with Lauren Clyne adding 12 (60%).