By: Daniel Cencic
Twitter: @DC_EFL
The best of the EFL netball competition took centre stage last Friday night at the Knox Regional Netball Centre, renewing acquaintances with the undefeated Northern Football Netball League at representative level.
The NFNL raced out of the blocks early in the under-19s clash, taking a 10-3 lead into quarter time before slamming on a further 10 majors in the second term to lead 20-6 at the main break. The third quarter told a similar story, spelling a 23-point deficit at the final change for the EFL, setting up the eventual 47-15 victory for the NFNL. Defender Alanna Lennie was named best on court for the EFL, while mid-courter Chloe Lambert took the honours for the away side.
The stage was set for the senior clash which proved to be a seesawing affair. Both sides began in relentless fashion, trading goals early which told the story of the first-half; with the NFNL taking a slender one-point lead into quarter time before much of the same in the second term, with the scores locked at 21 apiece at half-time.
The sides rallied in the third quarter with neither side able to shrug the other, with scores again level at the break at 33 apiece, setting the scene for a pulsating final term.
A valiant showing saw the EFL senior side battle it out in the fourth quarter, but the final minutes saw the NFNL lift a gear with the game on the line through some exceptional goal-shooting courtesy of captain Bec Colwell.
Goalkeeper Allana Osborne was named best on court for the EFL through tireless defensive work in a high-intensity, high-pressure match, while defender Georgia Bowkett earned the top honours for the NFNL, after producing a stellar performance in defence.
EFL senior captain Claire van Dreumel praised the Northern netballers’ resolve in the final minutes when the match was on the line.
“You can see why they’ve never been beaten,” van Dreumel said.
“I think they just drew on their experience – playing together and having that cohesion as a team, just pipped us at the end.
“We were right there until that last five minutes and threw a couple of easy balls away and just couldn’t get it back because they could score so quickly.
“Six of the girls out of our team play for Fairpark.
“We’re all used to playing at a high level of netball, so all our experience we should be able to easily merge into one and I think in passages we definitely did.”
The interleague experience is one the skipper has thoroughly enjoyed, along with leading the side.
“Before the game started I was really nervous – I wasn’t sure it was a role I was up for, but they nominated me and I tried to step up and do what I could,” van Dreumel said.
“I’m a team player and really vocal and supportive to everyone (and) I’m just glad I could be here and represent the EFL.
“(EFL Netball Manager) Petra Keogh’s done a fantastic job organising everything.
“It’s been really good and I’m glad Northern came out to play and they definitely brought it to us.”
