Netball
9 September, 2024
Saints win thriller to advance to grand final
The Horsham Saints have given themselves every opportunity for a third consecutive Wimmera Football Netball League a-grade netball premiership with a thrilling come-from-behind win against Horsham at Anzac Park in Warracknabeal on Saturday.
With the two best teams in the competition facing off, a close game was always expected, and it didn't disappoint. The first quarter was fiercely contested.
It was goal-for-goal, from centre-pass to centre-pass, until the Demons secured a goal against the grain of play to take a two-goal lead into quarter-time.
The second quarter didn't disappoint. It followed the same pattern as the first early, and the Saints had the advantage, drawing level 29-29 at halftime.
The third quarter followed the same script as the first two, but the Demons were able to push away and lead by three goals at three-quarter time.
With the Saints needing an answer, coach Jess Cannane did a defensive shuffle, moving Maddison Bethune from goal defence to wing defence and Elly Barnett from goalkeeper to goal defence whilst moving Holly Phillips to goal-keeper from wing defence.
Cannane's message to her troops was also to try to get back to their style of play and ensure a positive mindset.
The defensive moves didn't pay off, so Cannane switched them back into their rightful positions, and backed the players in, and with a four-goal deficit, they started to fight back slowly.
It was a tense quarter, but the Saints dug deep to draw level and take the lead, to win 62-61 in a thrilling game.
Jorja Clode was fantastic for the Saints, shooting 48 goals, with Abby Hallam chipping in with 14. Holly Phillips was one of their best players at wing defence.
Imogen Worthy and Georgia Batson scored 36 and 25 goals, respectively, for the Demons, with Georgie Carberry one of their best players at wing attack.
Saints coach Jess Cannane said it's unbelievable how they won.
"At three-quarter time, we made those changes defensively to try and disrupt the Demons movement and get those goals back, but it didn't go to plan, so when we switched things back, our defenders were able to get the intercepts and gave us momentum," Cannane said.
"To fight back from that deficit was huge, and it's a credit to the girls for the way they ran out the game and to be in another grand final is a great feeling."
"Holly Phillips was dynamic, and she is very athletic and was able to create turnovers, and she got to the next step to converting that tip into intercept and turnover.
"Jorja Clode was very strong in that goal circle, held her spot well, provided a target, and moved well in the attacking end."
The Saints now have a week off and will play the winner out of Horsham and Dimboola at Murtoa next Sunday, and barring a shocking upset, the Saints and Demons should face off again at Dimboola Recreation Reserve in the grand final.
DIMBOOLA TO FACE THE DEMONS
Dimboola has bounced back from last week's loss to the Horsham Saints to defeat Stawell by 11 goals at Coughlin Park on Sunday in the Wimmera Football Netball League's a-grade netball semi-final.
The Roos were hot from the outset, hopping to a nine-goal lead at quarter-time. A seventeen-goal second quarter saw them extend that lead by 15 goals at half-time.
With the Warriors needing a miracle, they fought back in the third quarter, outscoring the Roos to trail by 11 goals at three-quarter time.
It was goal-for-goal in the last, with Stawell unable to make inroads and the Roos unable to extend the lead, with the margin remaining 11 goals with the Roos winning 56-45.
Olivia Beugelaar scored an equal game-high 29 goals, with Nicole Polycarpou scoring 26.
Ayva Mitchell returned from injury for the Warriors, scoring 29 goals, with Ebony Summers shooting 16. Madi Taylor was terrific in the centre for the Warriors and is one of the favourites for their best and fairest.
Stawell can be proud of its efforts in 2024. Its thrilling fight to make the finals and unbelievable win last week propelled it to this stage, and have a lot of positivity to build on ahead of its 2025 campaign.
Next Sunday, Dimboola will continue their momentum with a hard match against the Horsham Demons at Murtoa. The winner will play the Horsham Saints at Dimboola Recreation Reserve in the grand final.