GOLDEN Square broke its 15-year premiership drought on Saturday afternoon by defeating Kangaroo Flat by four goals, in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football-Netball League’s A grade netball grand final.
Golden Square started strongly with goalkeeper Kristen Wilson deflecting passes into Kangaroo Flat’s goal circle.
Wing attack Lia Marrone was a great option around the goal circle and Kath Basilewsky rewarded her team’s play with several goals.
In the second quarter, Kangaroo Flat introduced Rebecca Hynes at goalshooter and she presented a strong option in attack.
Flat’s Lauren Cowling took several intercepts as the Roos cut the margin.
Hynes scored on a Simone Andrews penalty and Kangaroo Flat was within a goal.
Golden Square increased its defensive pressure and Jody Richards scored six goals for the quarter, to extend Golden Square’s lead to five goals by half-time.
With the exception of Cowling in the centre, Kangaroo Flat changed all its playing positions.
Defensive pressure by both teams was impressive.
Andrews intercepted many of the Roos’ attacks and she also rebounded strongly.
Although goals were at a premium, Golden Square managed to outscore Kangaroo Flat to lead by seven goals at the final break.
In a low scoring match, defenders racked up statistics as the ball bounced from goal third to goal third.
Richards’ movements within the goal circle, though minimal, often resulted in possession of the ball and goals.
The rebounding and intercepting by Wilson was a highlight.
With three minutes left on the clock, a Hynes long shot at goal paid dividends and Kangaroo Flat was back within four goals.
The intensity of the game lifted and Kangaroo Flat gained some momentum, with Hynes scoring again for the score to be 27-24.
A Brooke Emmerson intercept on a Golden Square pass resulted in a Kangaroo Flat possession in the goal circle, where Kangaroo Flat wasted two opportunities to score.
Kath Basilewsky scored the next goal, but Hynes quickly replied.
Less than 10 seconds remained on the clock when Square’s Richards sealed the match.
Golden Square 8 17 23 29
Kangaroo Flat 5 12 16 25
Best on court: Simone Andrews (Golden Square).
An 11-goal blitz in the third quarter secured Kangaroo Flat’s victory in A reserve.
Sam Hommelhoff was a strong performer in the goal circle as the Roos led by four goals at quarter-time.
Within minutes of the second quarter, Sandhurst levelled the game at 10-10.
Kangaroo Flat once again forced the ball forward through best on court performer Sharni Symes who was consistent in the mid court, with her timely passes into attack.
Kangaroo Flat defenders Anna Dawson and Bonnie Roberts combined superbly denying Sandhurst an easy avenue into the goal circle as the margin blew out to 12-goals.
Sandhurst made changes to its line up in a bid to salvage the game but Kangaroo Flat held steady to win 32-20.
Kangaroo Flat 10 17 28 32
Sandhurst 6 13 16 20
Best on court: Sharni Symes (Kangaroo Flat).
In B grade, Golden Square attacked the ball with fervour and dominated most of the first quarter.
Megan Baird and Claire Herbert played in front for possession and were accurate in shots for goal.
Kangaroo Flat made minor changes to its line-up, bringing Bec Connaughton into centre and Cath Wicks into goalkeeper.
Kangaroo Flat settled into its game, and with Kris Fitzpatrick on target in the goal circle, Flat shot ahead to lead by seven goals at half-time.
Golden Square brought on experienced defender Kristen Pollock, but Nina Cass used her height to advantage and together with Fitzpatrick continued to pile on the goals.
The strong wind made it difficult for the goalers, but it was in the midcourt where Kangaroo Flat was in control.
The Kangaroos won by 15 goals.
Kangaroo Flat 8 27 40 51
Golden Square 12 20 29 36
Best on court: Kris Fitzpatrick (Kangaroo Flat).
A determined Sandhurst outfit scored quickly in the first quarter to set up a seven goal lead in the 17-and-under match.
Sandhurst’s Brianna Dalrymple-Monro was quick through the midcourt and set up a lot of attacks.
Golden Square made changes at the first break, which paid dividends.
Carly Geary at goalshooter was her team’s main goal scorer, with nine goals for the quarter.
By half-time, Square was within six goals.
In the third, Chloe Watson and Danielle Wilson were impressive in defence.
Sandhurst’s Maddison Exell scored 14 of her team’s 15 goals.
In the final quarter, Sandhurst had all the answers to finish premiers by 20 goals.
Sandhurst 12 21 36 49
Golden Square 5 15 21 29
Best on court: Chloe Watson (Sandhurst).
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