The Mininera and District Football League/Netball Association grand finalists have been settled following Saturday's preliminary final at Penshurst.
Football
GLENTHOMPSON-DUNKELD has earned the right to play in the Mininera and District Football League Reserves Grand Final after a hard-fought win against a wasteful Ararat at Penshurst on Saturday, 8.4 (52) to 4.13 (37).
Poor kicking for goal cost the Eagles and the players will rue this lost opportunity.
In wet and slippery conditions, the two teams produced a physically tough brand of football where the players threw their bodies into every contest.
That poor goal kicking afflicted the Eagles right from the start of the game, as they had eight shots on goal to only three in the first term but only led by five points at the siren.
The second quarter saw the Rams gain control of the game with three majors added to their tally and they never relinquished the lead from there on.
Up by five points at the long break, the Rams watched on as the Eagles again missed shots on goal in the third quarter to record only five behinds, as the Rams added 1.1 to increase their lead to seven points.
From there the Rams returned to the field for the final quarter determined to keep the Eagles down, and they didn’t allow the opposition to gain any momentum in the run home.
Glenthompson-Dunkeld coach, David Fanning, couldn’t be prouder of his charges, and he noted the Rams’ better fitness levels as a key reason for the win.
“The game was a really tough, physical game played in slippery conditions there was a lot of strong tackling from both sides which had a big impact on the game.
“Our tackle count was over 50 for the game which I thought was really impressive.
“Ararat didn’t take their chances in front of goal while we did, and in the end, we were fitter than they were, and were able to run out the four quarters.”
Leigh Bubb was named as being the best player on the ground, but Fanning, Russell McGugan, Bradley Robinson, Seth Hughes and Peter Brooker all had great games in support.
“Leigh Bubb and Seth Hughes set up a lot of our play and were extremely strong and composed out of our backline,” Fanning said.
“Oscar Reynolds really stood up in the ruck and around the ground with many strong tackles while Brad Robinson was everywhere as usual, putting his body on the line, setting up goals and getting reward for effort by kicking a couple himself.
“Pete Brooker really added some grunt when we needed it in the second half, his attack on the footy was inspiring.
“Ararat was really good, they had some strong midfielders and forwards, but as a team set up around the ground really well in the first half which meant we found it hard to penetrate into our forward line.
“This dropped off as they tiered in the second half, and we were able to capitalise.”
Seniors
ARARAT has come from behind to claim the final place in the senior grand final with an incredible defensive display in the second half of the preliminary final against Woorndoo-Mortlake at Penshurst on Saturday, 6.15 (51) to 5.8 (38).
Under-16.5
HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR has seen its dream of reaching the Under-16.5 grand final from fifth place on the ladder evaporate, as second-placed Caramut grabbed the final place in the grand final with a 7.6 (48) to 2.5 (17) victory at Penshurst on Saturday.
Netball
PENSHURST has been brought back down to earth by the Ararat Eagles in the Mininera and District Netball Association A grade preliminary final at Penshurst on Saturday, 23-33.
The Bombers had finished the home and away season in second spot on the ladder but couldn’t carry their home and away form into the finals series with only a single-goal victory against Hawkesdale-Macarthur last weekend to show for their efforts.
The Eagles were far too strong for the Bombers, who were playing on their home court which should have given the side an advantage, but in the end counted for nothing, as the Bombers trailed at every change of ends.
In a tight start to the game, both teams recorded single figure scores for the first term with the Eagles ahead 8-6 at the quarter time whistle.
That score was replicated in the second term too, as Ararat took a four-goal lead into the long break, but the Penshurst oranges didn’t have the restorative effect the supporters had hoped for, as Ararat won the third term as well.
The final quarter was one-way traffic, as the Eagles flew higher to post the only double-figure term of the game, netting 10 goals to only five in reply to book their spot in the grand final next weekend.
Taryn Kelly and Kiara Pitcher played well for the Eagles but Leah Mirtschin, Chloe McKenzie never stopped for the Bombers.
Penshurst coach, Sinaed Hasell was proud of her players and for the season they enjoyed, but she also knows that these opportunities don’t come along every season and that the squad will have to work harder next year to reach that final match of the season.
“Our defence came up with plenty of ball, but we just couldn’t capitalise, and Ararat took advantage of that,” she said.
“Chloe McKenzie was solid and steady for us throughout the mid court, and Brooke Lenehan really stepped up over the entire finals’ series, she has been one of our best players every week.”
B Grade
Ararat made it a double in the top two netball grades with a strong eight-goal victory against Woorndoo-Mortlake on Saturday, 32-24.
C Grade
TATYOON ended the dreams of the Glenthompson-Dunkeld team of reaching the C Grade grand final from fifth place on the ladder after the home and away season, when it claimed the clash, 14-13.
17-and-Under
Penshurst accounted for Moyston-Willaura for the second time in three weeks with a strong 12-goal defeat of the Pumas at home on Saturday, 33-21.
15-and-Under
HAWKESDALE-MACARTHUR has failed to overcome Lismore-Derrinallum at Penshurst on Saturday despite entering the game as favourites going down, 11-16.
13-and-Under
PENSHURST set up a busy grand final day with a 15-6 victory against Glenthompson-Dunkeld.
