Parrots triumph over Maffra in C Grade

LEONGATHA’s day began in style with a hard-fought premiership win against an evenly matched Maffra outfit, with Belle Grabham-Andrews leading the way from the midcourt as the game’s best player.

The Eagles settled first, racing to a 7-3 lead, applying defensive pressure to Leongatha and forcing turnovers, and stringing together sharp and accurate passes when in possession.

In contrast, the Parrots were having to take a methodical approach and be patient with their passes.

Trailing 7-10 at the first change, the Parrots had by then shaken off their nerves and it was up from there.

Leongatha’s unrelenting pressure and determination to contest every ball enabled it to work its way into the lead and, while there was never a lot between the sides, the Parrots prevailed by three goals in what was undoubtedly the pick of the open age netball grand finals. 

Premiership coach Georgia Higgins said Maffra drove the Parrots to greater heights.

“You guys set the standard for us this year,” she said.

The Eagles topped the ladder, with their only home and away defeat coming at the hands of Leongatha, but inflicted one of the Parrots’ pair of regular season losses.

Both were tight affairs, as was the sides’ qualifying encounter, which was won 34-31 by Leongatha, an identical result to the decider.

Maffra’s coach Megan Madden described the grand final as “another great battle with Leongatha”, saying she has enjoyed this season’s contests between the two sides.

She paid tribute to Leongatha and said the Parrots deserve to enjoy their celebrations.

Madden praised the efforts of her players in the grand final and throughout the season.
 

Traralgon outclasses Leongatha to claim B Grade title

TRARALGON was the better team on the day, sweeping to a 21-goal win over Leongatha in a match that didn’t reflect a great season by the Parrots, in which they had lost just one other match.

The underdog Maroons applied great pressure from the outset forcing Leongatha into uncharacteristic mistakes.

While Leongatha playing coach Kasie Rump said it was obviously not the result the Parrots wanted, she noted there is always good competition between the sides.

Rump congratulated Traralgon veteran Bec Duddington who retired after the match.

She praised her playing group.

“We’re a young side, apart from a couple, and we’ve got a lot of development that will keep going,” Rump said.

“We gave it everything we could but today wasn’t our day,” the coach conceded, adding that Traralgon deserved the win.

Maroons skipper and versatile goaler Cassidy Smith was best on court.

Morwell retains unbeaten record in A Grade decider

LEONGATHA faced a herculean task against the undefeated Morwell side. 

However, after recording a stirring preliminary final win, the Parrots dedicated themselves to doing all they could to inflict an upset on the Tigers.

While that proved beyond Leongatha, it turned in an excellent performance.

After Morwell made a couple of early turnovers and scored the opening two goals of the contest, Leongatha got rolling.

Hannah Flanders showed how pumped up the Parrots were with an energetic celebration after registering the side’s first goal.

She soon had another.

Not long after, Leongatha hit the front, holding a 5-4 advantage, but Morwell raised its already high level to seize back control to lead 11-7 at quarter time.

While Morwell proved too strong thereafter, establishing a good lead, Leongatha kept throwing everything it had into the contest, t hreatening to work its way back into the game if the Tigers dropped their level.

Such is the commitment of the Morwell side, the Tigers were not going to fall into that trap, going on to a 44-32 win.

The Parrots’ refusal to give in was exemplified by their ability to break even with Morwell in the final quarter.

Leongatha coach Dean Cashin congratulated the Tigers on their win, making it clear his side could have done no more.

“You have been a superb side and had an unbelievable year and we came out and threw everything we had at you, and you played magnificently,” Cashin said.

“It’s an incredible thing to go through the season undefeated and you should be really proud.”

He was delighted with his players effort.

“I’m super proud of my girls and we had a red-hot dip today,” Cashin said.

Morwell coach Rachael Paterson acknowledged Leongatha’s determined showing.

“We knew you were going to push us today and we were prepared for it,” she said.

She wasn’t overstating the situation in describing her Tigers’ season as “a cracker of a year”.

With the intense defensive pressure Morwell applied throughout the game, it was fitting that Tigers Goal Keeper Courtney Garth picked up the best on court medal.