Belinda Lees put Echuca on her back in the grand final.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Echuca and Euroa battled it out on the Goulburn Valley League’s biggest stage to determine the A-grade netball premiership for the second time in as many years.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
On Sunday, September 22, at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton, both sides came out with an abundance of nervous energy. The game was physical from the first centre pass.
Euroa struck first, thanks mainly to goal shooting machine Liv Morris, who used her height and strength to catch easy lobs around the rim.
Echuca players were forced to shoot from further out than they’d like, but luckily, their ace goal attack coach, Belinda Lees, was knocking them down from a distance.
Greta Pearson was disruptive in the middle.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Euroa’s goal attack Mia Sudomirski was everywhere, complimenting Morris’ size and strength perfectly.
Despite being smothered throughout the first quarter, Echuca kept pace with Euroa, trailing by seven at quarter-time.
Euroa’s blistering pace continued in the second period, where the players used their defensive intensity and active hands to facilitate the ball forward.
Hollie Reid starred in the contest.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Feeling down and out, the Murray Bombers were getting run off the court in the second quarter and scrambling to keep pace.
Lees’ ability to shoot accurately from long range was the only thing keeping Echuca in the game for long stretches of the second period, as the lights appeared a little too bright for first-year shooter Holly Chadwick.
As half-time loomed, a stagnant period of play allowed Echuca to build some momentum, still well within striking distance of the Magpies.
Echuca’s Holly Chadwick made a grand final in her debut senior season.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Euroa wing attack Hollie Reid set the tone for her side, diving after loose balls and putting her body on the line, efforts that ultimately landed her best-on-court honours.
The Murray Bombers walked into half-time trailing by 10, down 17-27.
Having given it their all in the first half, Euroa looked gassed at the start of the third term.
Stephanie Vick was a key facilitator for Echuca.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
This allowed Echuca to maintain pressure in its attacking half and gave the Murray Bombers’ defence a much-needed reprieve.
Despite a lift in the third, the girls in green struggled to break the 10-goal barrier that Euroa had.
With some consistent work, the Murray Bombers looked poised to launch a full-on assault in the fourth quarter to overcome the Magpies.
Echuca’s Ashlea Mangan directing traffic.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
As the siren sounded for three-quarter-time, Echuca had made headway on Euroa’s lead, trailing by seven.
Both teams were tentative at the start of the final quarter, neither making severe inroads in the opening minutes.
Echuca looked positive when given the opportunity, but it wasn’t long before the Magpies began to soar again.
Echuca’s Lauren Jones looks for the pass.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Powered by a stellar defensive effort from Euroa coach and goalkeeper Ellie Warnock, the Magpies pulled away from the Murray Bombers.
Her ability to read the path of the pass and block shots meant that in the dying stages of the game, Euroa could not be stopped, winning the day 50-38.
Euroa’s Hollie Reid was named best-on-court for the match.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Echuca coach Belinda Lees reflected on her team’s performance and praised Euroa’s effort throughout the contest after the game.
“We probably made a few uncharacteristic mistakes and unforced errors that aren’t part of our natural game,” she said.
“I liked that we stayed in the game; they got the jump on us by about seven goals early, but outside of that, it was pretty even for the rest of the game.
“Credit to Euroa, they have had a great season, and I hope they relish this because this doesn’t feel great right now and is much nicer on the other side.”
12°C