Undefeated Foster take A Grade flag with 34-goal win over Yinnar

FOSTER HAVE finished the season without losing a game, beating Yinnar 63-29 to take the Mid Gippsland A Grade netball premiership at Meeniyan Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

The 34-goal win was Foster's fourth over Yinnar this year, and it closed out a campaign in which the Tigers were not beaten once.

League figures had goal shooter Ella Rendell leading the A Grade goal scoring this season on 587, ahead of Tarwin's Imogen Law on 565 and Yinnar's Patty McInnes on 558.

Rendell shot the grand final 26 weeks pregnant, a fact her coach announced to the crowd during the presentation.

Best on court went to co-captain Madeline Stewart, who plays at goal defence, in a match Foster controlled at both ends.

Stewart and fellow co-captain Kelsey Angwin took both A Grade league best and fairest awards last season.

The pattern repeated through the afternoon.

A Foster interception in the midcourt, a quick feed into the circle, and goal attack Brylee Angwin was left with an uncontested shot.

Foster coach Ebony Best, who also played, turned first to the beaten Magpies.

“We had some great battles all year and the scoreline every game didn’t show how hard you pushed us,” Best said.

“Right from the start to the end we contested every ball, made it hard and continued playing. Credit to you girls, you have a great team and I know you’ll be back bigger and better next year.”

Best then addressed her own side, who went into the decider having beaten Yinnar three times already, including a 24-goal win in the second semi-final.

“To our girls, last year we were you guys,” she said.

“But we fixed things, we ticked every box to make sure that we were undefeated champions this year, and we did it in style.”

Best said the effort had been put in long before Saturday.

“I couldn’t be a prouder coach and teammate. The amount of effort they put in during the week on their fitness, on their skills, on their shooting, you can see it today and it’s second to none,” she said.

“One of the best teams I’ve played in.”

She also thanked the Foster supporters who had been at the ground since the first game of the morning.

“A big thank you to all our supporters for coming out from 8 o’clock this morning. We could hear you this year,” she said.

“Tonight this is yours as much as ours, so please make sure you enjoy it.”

Yinnar were playing their first A Grade grand final since winning the 2023 premiership, and reached it by beating Fish Creek 39-37 in the preliminary final.

Their coach was gracious after the siren.

“Congratulations. Undefeated all year, absolute credit to you all. Well done, enjoy your celebrations,” she said.

“To my girls, great effort, hold your heads high. There are a lot of teams that don’t make the grand final and we got here. We’ll celebrate our season too.”

Mid Gippsland Football Netball League president John Schelling assisted with the presentation.

Gail McFarlane and Brigitte Case umpired.

FOSTER PREMIERSHIP SIDE: Ella Rendell, Brylee Angwin, Kelsey Angwin (capt), Madeline Stewart (capt), Hannah Weston, Hailey Boyd, Allira Howe, Tyler Angwin. Coach: Ebony Best.