By: Joseph Arthur
Bendigo Bank proudly presents the Netball EFL Wrap…
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Premier Division
Heathmont Jets gave the competition’s leaders a scare, going down to Wantirna South by only 3 goals. Heathmont secured fourth-place and despite the loss have earnt the respect of the competition and will be seen as a finals threat. The Devils finish on top and will see anything short of a Grand Final victory as a failure after losing just once all season. Woodgate led all scorers with 30 goals for the devils.
Playing for pride Boronia was unable to finish the season on a high, going down to second-placed East Burwood Black who dominated the Hawks winning by 18 goals. Gearing up for its first final against Wantirna South next week, East Burwood Black will be happy with its form to finish the year. Mulqueen had 32 goals for East Burwood while Schanssema top scored for Boronia (14).
In a dead rubber Lilydale Falcons easily dispatched of South Croydon Red to gain some valuable match practice before its finals date with Heathmont. Dominating South Croydon right from the start the Falcons’ duo of Murphy and Smith were unstoppable, scoring 29 and 22 respectively. Freeling was South Croydon’s best offensively with 11 goals.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 1
Heartbreak for Coldstream Grey as its finals dreams fell short by only 5 points in a must win game against minor premiers Knox. Coldstream gave it everything it had, leading at half-time and down by only two goals at the final break but it wasn’t to be. Coldstream Grey relinquished its finals position to Ferntree Gully after it was handed the points against North Ringwood Black due to a forfeit. Knox play Kilsyth in a battle at the top and a win would spell an immediate Grand Final berth for the first-placed side
In a battle between second and third place, Scoresby Swoopers defeated Kilsyth Cougars by two points in a thrilling match. Unfortunately for Scoresby and despite the win, it fell short of stealing second place from Kilsyth and will be forced to play Ferntree Gully in an elimination final before potentially meeting Kilsyth again. Williams was dominant for Scoresby, scoring 39 goals and leading all scorers whilst Hansen and Lenny scored 22 and 21 respectively for the Cougars.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 2
In a thrilling match Kilsyth Cougars Red almost upset Scoresby Shooters and nearly cost Scoresby its spot in the top two. However Scoresby held its nerve and was able to escape with a 1 goal victory and secure second and the week off. Clutch shooting from Ford (23) got the Shooters over the line whilst Hawkins did her best (18) to get the upset over the line but just fell short.
With a potential chance to steal second spot and earn a week off in finals there was plenty on the line for North Ringwood White as it defeated Mulgrave Red 37 – 26. Salmon scored 35 for North Ringwood and will be looking to carry her good form over into finals. Unfortunately for North Ringwood, Scoresby held on against Kilsyth Red and maintained second place so North Ringwood White is forced to face North Ringwood Red in the finals this week.
Lilydale Gold was too strong for North Ringwood Red, winning 29 – 19 and secured fifth position on the ladder and a date with Mulgrave Red this week. The loss means North Ringwood Red will face the red-hot North Ringwood White in finals next week and will need to be at its best in order to defeat its club rival. McNay had 16 goals for Lilydale Gold but Luiyf led all scorers with 18 for North Ringwood Red.
Knox Black and The Basin Red had an exciting match and played quality Netball despite it being a dead-rubber. With a two goal lead at the final break Knox Black held a two-goal advantage but were unable to maintain its lead as The Basin fought back to win by one solitary goal. Mitchell and Simpson were the match-winners for The Basin scoring 21 and 12 respectively including some great shooting in the final term.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 3
Third-placed Glen Waverley Blue suffered an upset against Rowville, losing by 8 goals in a disappointing effort which it will need to rectify this week as finals begin. Rowville was able to finish its season on a high, earning its third win of the season whilst handing Glen Waverley Blue its fourth loss. Anderson scored 17 for the Hawks whilst Mackie had 18 of her own to lead all scorers for the victors. Glen Waverley meets Ferntree Gully Eagles in an elimination final and will be hoping to improve on its efforts against Rowville.
With finals all but secured, Ferntree Gully Eagles finished on a high and defeated Forest Hill White 29 – 26 leading into its finals match-up against Glen Waverley Blue. The fourth-placed Eagles were able to come from behind and win after trailing the Zebras by two goals at the end of the third term. Osborne scored 16 for the winners and Andrich had 18 for the losers and led all scorers.
Heathmont White defeated Chirnside Panthers with ease, winning by a margin of 13 goals to finish what’s been a stellar year. Hall was dominant for Heathmont with 22 goals and got great support from O’Conner (12). Chirnside finish the year ninth overall and Heathmont will go on to face minor premiers Croydon North MLOC in its first final, a win would mean an immediate Grand Final berth for Heathmont.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 4
In a battle to stay alive, the equation for Montrose Flames and Park Orchards Black was simple – win or go home. Montrose was victorious and by a big margin at that, defeating Park Orchards by 14 goals after a 10 – 1 first term lead which was never relinquished. Caldow outscored the opposition herself with 28 goals for the flames, conversely Hume only put in 14 for Park Orchards and didn’t have enough support from teammates to come-back and win.
Third-placed Coldstream White got in some good preparation for its final against Montrose, defeating a quality Mitcham Yellow outfit by 17 points. Coldstream White was forced to play after just missing out on the double chance and week off which Upper Ferntree Gully claimed, but a strong game from Billingham (21) holds Coldstream in good stead for its upcoming preliminary final. Oppawsky (9) and Woolley (7) toiled admirably for Mitcham but needed to do more and finished a strong season on a disappointing note.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 5
Coldstream Blue won its elimination final against Glen Waverley White in convincing fashion, dominating all game and running away 20 goal victors. Jackson scored 19 goals, outscoring Glen Waverley White all by herself as did her counterpart Atkins (15). Coldstream now look ahead to a preliminary final against Ringwood Black, Ringwood is coming off a narrow loss to Nunawading and will be giving Coldstream all it has to avoid a straight sets exit.
Nunawading Lions won a close preliminary final against Ringwood Black by 4 points, booking a ticket to the Grand Final in two weeks’ time. Ringwood now need to play again this weekend against a dangerous Coldstream Blue outfit, where a win would give it another go at beating Nunawading and claiming premiership glory. Kolevich (13) and Zuyden (10) were dangerous around the rim and played key roles in gifting their side the week off.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 6
In an elimination final for the ages Glen Waverley Hawks Yellow defeated Coldstream Black 29 – 24 after leading for the entirety of the second half. Jefferis was the biggest threat across the board on offense with 22 goals, supported by Mazzarella with 7. Coldstream are now packing its bags while the Hawks have a date with South Belgrave Red who suffered its first loss of the year at the hands of Balwyn Tigers in what was a huge upset.
After going undefeated throughout the entire regular season, South Belgrave Red lost its first final after a horror first quarter against a red hot Balwyn Tigers team. South Belgrave has another shot at a Grand Final and a rematch with the Tigers if it can overcome Glen Waverley Hawks Yellow this weekend. Balwyn Tigers now have a surprise week off to prepare for a possible rematch in the Grand Final and will be looking for more of the same in the big dance. Clear led all scorers with 16 for the Tigers.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 7
The Basin Bears pulled off a huge upset against Norwood White in an unexpected victory for the plucky side. Keeping the match close all day the bears were able to steal the game from Norwood and stay alive for another week and a chance to play in the Grand Final. Norwood White is done for the year after a really positive regular season but a disappointing final. Nealy had a stellar performance, pouring in 16 goals for the bears and will look to repeat her great shooting next week against Lilydale Yellow.
Another upset in Division 7 as Glen Waverley Black knocked off the minor premiership winning Lilydale Yellow by 5 goals. Lilydale had a 7 goal lead after the first term but fell in a heap from then on as Glen Waverley turned it on and went up another gear. Walker couldn’t be matched as she scored 18 for the victors and Lilydale’s defence is to be commended after keeping Lilydale’s Burke to 9 goals. Lilydale come up against giant killers The Basin Bears while Glen Waverley can enjoy the week off before the Grand Final.
