Sport
1 September, 2024
Stawell edges out Nhill 32-31 in thrilling WFNL A Grade elimination final
Stawell Warriors win nail-biter against Nhill in WFNL contest.
Stawell endured Mother Nature and a relentless Nhill during the Wimmera Football Netball League's A Grade elimination final on Sunday, September 1, 2024.
After the final whistle, the Warriors lived to fight another day, winning 32-31.
Heading into the game, the Tigers boasted a 2-0 record against the Warriors in 2024; however, Stawell looked the better team from the first whistle, jumping out to an 11-7 lead at the first break.
Ebony Summers shot eight goals from 10 attempts in the opening period for the home side, while Nhill's Ruby James scored five from eight at the other end.
The visitors showed their class in the second quarter, with James adding six more goals to cut the margin to one goal before going just to the main break of 18-16.
The second half could only be described as a seesawing affair, with each side exchanging goals and the lead for the next 30 minutes of play.
After starting the game slowly, with six goals from 14 attempts, Madi Taylor shot five from seven in the third quarter.
At the other end of the court, Claudia McRae, who started the game at wing defence, moved into goal attack, and shot six goals.
The Warriors held the slimmest of leads at the final break (25-24).
Stawell built a three-goal advantage as each side intensely defended, only for the Tigers to claw back.
As the rain came down, the sides navigated a slick surface, and the intensity of the elimination game increased; only 14 goals were scored from 30 attempts.
As the final whistle blew, Stawell's players rejoiced, defeating Nhill by the smallest of margins.
Stawell Warriors co-coach Jemma Clarkson said the team was pleased following the win.
"We knew coming into today that we were going to have to play really strong netball," she said.
"They knocked us off twice in the season, but a win was always within our grasp.
"The girls have worked super hard in the back half of the season... to play our style of netball.
"They should be really proud of the way that they played today with such grit and determination."
The coach highlighted the defensive work of goalkeeper Lauren Homden and goal defence Lisa Considine.
"We have been working really hard with our defenders," Clarkson said.
"We are a very short team, so we've worked on ways that we can get around that.
"We just have to adapt and play a different style of netball."
Clarkson said the side is prepared for Dimboola, who lost to Horsham Saints in the qualifying final on August 31.
"Dimboola play a similar style to Nhill," she said.
"They are very tough netball and play quite aerial, so we have to be aware of that.
"But we're just going to go out there and give it our absolute best shot. That's the beauty of finals. You never know what's going to happen."
Stawell's Summers finished with 18 goals from 24 attempts (75 per cent accuracy), while Taylor added 14 (56%).
James (63%) and McRae (60) ended the game with 12 goals each, while Emma Beer added seven (38%).
The Warriors now turn their attention to Dimboola, with the semi-final set to take place at Coughlin Park in Horsham on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
Warriors take out minor grade final
Continue the run of form at home, Stawell won the B Grade elimination final against Southern Mallee Thunder 44-27.
The Warriors were in command from the opening quarter and established a 20-goal lead at the main break.
It was an even second half with the home club winning by 17 goals.
Stawell's Holly Graveson outscored the opposition with 37 goals (72%), while Thunder's Phoebe Bigham scored 13 goals (72%).
Stawell will play Minyip Murtoa in the semi-final.
Dimboola held off a fast finishing Minyip Murtoa to win the C grade elimination final 23-19.
The Roos held an 11-3 lead at half time, and extended it out to 18-8 at the final break.
The Burras finished strongly, with an 11-5 final quarter, but the deficit was too big to overcome.
Stephanie Miller finished with 17 goals (58%) for Dimboola.
The Roos play Horsham in the semi-final.
In the final game of the day, Dimboola defeated Minyip Murtoa 32-15.
Tara Petschel scored 28 goals (82%) in the victory.
The Roos play Stawell in the semi-final.
Junior Warriors battle, Southern Mallee's thunderous finish
Stawell's finals campaign continues after the under-13s defeated Dimboola 31-14.
Playing in cold, wet and windy conditions, the Warriors were firing out of the blocks, starting the game with a 12-2 first quarter.
As the rain intensified, the scoring dried up as players battled the elements as much as each other.
Stawell's Matilda Egan stood tall as she scored 22 (71%) in a best-of-court performance, including a game-high seven goals from eight attempts in the third quarter.
Millia Freeland added nine goals, including a perfect five from five in the opening quarter.
The Warriors will play Warrack Eagles in the semi-final.
The winning ways continued for Stawell, defeating Nhill 29-17 in the under-15s elimination final.
The Warriors manufactured a strong seven-goal lead in the opening quarter, extending to 10 goals at halftime.
The home side's pressure eased in the second half, and the Tigers reduced the margin to seven goals by the final break.
However, Stawell outscored Nhill 9-4 in the final period to win by 12 goals.
Warriors' Ruby Nicholson top scored with 18 goals (62%) while Isabella Thomas was efficient with 11 (85%).
Nhill's Nellie Nossack scored 12 goals (54%) and Zara Polkinghorne added five (62.5%).
The Warriors play Horsham in the semi-final.
In the final juniors game of the day, Dimboola and Southern Mallee Thunder battled it out for the right to stay in the finals.
The game started at breakneck speed, with neither side taking a backward step.
The Roos established a three-goal lead at the first break through accurate shooting and extended it to five at halftime.
With their season on the line, the Southern Mallee Thunder players put their bodies on the line, drawing level with Dimboola three times.
At the final break, the Roos were ahead 21-19.
With a raucous crowd watching on, the lead changed hands several times; both teams had opportunities to take the lead in the final minute, but could not convert.
In overtime, the Thunder stood tall, shooting 9-3, to win 35-29.
Thunders' Phoebe Bigham scored 26 goals (70%) in the win, a total matched by Dimboola's Maya Schorback (79).
Southern Mallee Thunder play Warrack Eagles in the semi-final.