Titles for the Bombers, Cats and Swans

Just before 8.30am on Saturday, Boisdale-Briagolong Football-Netball Club and Lucknow FNC’s Under 15s teams took to the court at Bairnsdale City Oval for the first Grand Final of the day.

Boisdale-Briagolong started strongly, very strongly.

Bombers’ goal shooter Marine Harington will certainly be one to watch in the coming years, as the young player harbours a stupendous tenacity in the shooting circle, accompanied by a keen accuracy.

Lucknow’s goal attack Perry Elliott also put forward a fantastic first quarter.

The Bombers held the lead, 17 to 15, as teams entered the second quarter.

Scores remained tight until the third quarter when Boisdale-Briagolong gained an elegant, fluid-like momentum. Despite the indefatigable efforts from Lucknow’s goal defence, Ashley Atkinson, the Bombers managed to shoot consecutive goals, awarding them a much-needed safety net headed into the final quarter.

The Magpies were unable to assume dominance of the game, which saw the Bombers triumph, 38 to 31 at game’s end.

Harrington played an exceptional game for Boisdale-Briagolong; however, goal attack Ella Osborne made the biggest splash among the Under 15s talent pool.

Demi Scriven from Boisdale-Briagolong was voted best on court.

Next to the court was the Under 17s, and it was Boisdale-Briagolong versus Lindenow.

It was a particularly momentous occasion for the girls from Boisdale-Briagolong, as they were the first Under 17s team to make a Grand Final in the club’s history.

Lindenow started strongly, and their composure awarded the Cats with quick, consecutive goals.

The Bombers hit back in the second quarter, taking a substantial lead, but a drop in Boisdale-Briagolong’s composure and concentration closed the Bombers’ lead.

Boisdale-Briagolong hit the reset button, returning for the final two quarters with fierce determination and unwavering concentration, showcasing to spectators that they were more than deserving of their undefeated season status.

The Bombers dominated through the third and fourth quarters, with Boisdale-Briagolong’s centre, Ash McDonough, putting forward a fantastic game.

Time was up. The game was over. Boisdale-Briagolong’s Under 17 Team defeated Lindenow 35 to 23.

Boisdale-Briagolong was back on the court yet again in the D Grade Grand Final, facing the girls in red and white from Stratford Football Netball Club.

The Bombers took to the court ruthlessly, determined to end their 2022 undefeated season with a premiership cup.

From the first quarter to the fourth, the Bombers dominated the Swans. Their speed, accuracy, communication, collaboration and determination was nothing less than immaculate.

Stratford’s Charlotte Runciman, Stacey Hamlyn and Alex Telling were best for the Swans.

Boisdale-Briagolong’s Adele Kelly, Vin Donahoe and Lorelle McQuillen were outstanding players, but the Bombers’ goal attack, Taryn Cunningham, took out the game’s best on court.

The final siren sounded and the Swans were plucked featherless.

Boisdale-Briagolong triumphed with a 44 to 28 victory.

In an added bonus, the Grand Final marked a very special 250 games for Boisdale-Briagolong’s Adele Kelly.

Stratford returned to the court for the C Grade Grand Final, facing the girls in white and blue from Lindenow.

Lindenow came hard and fast, taking a substantial lead, 21 to 9, by the end of the second quarter.

Despite a fantastic effort from Stratford’s centre, Sarah Noonan, the Cats’ domination of the game was unwavering throughout the final two quarters.

Lindenow’s on-court collaboration and fluidity in their court movement was spectacular, making for one hell of a game to watch.

The game’s end saw Lindenow claim the title with a landslide 40 to 20 win.

Lindenow’s Merryn Henderson was best on the court.

In a seemingly fleeting moment, the morning had slipped away, and the afternoon was well underway.

Stratford had one more chance to claim a premiership cup on the netball court, with the Swans taking on Lakes Entrance Football Netball Club in the B Grade Grand Final.

The sun beat down and a golden heat radiated from the concrete court.

Stratford supporters were certainly not in short supply, as visions of red and white emitted from the ever-growing crowd.

Stratford and Lakes Entrance fought neck-and-neck in a captivating first quarter, with the Swans leading by two points, 10 to 8, heading into the second.

The close contest continued, Lakes Entrance regained the lead, and heading into the final quarter, just one point separated the teams.

Lakes Entrance, 25, Stratford, 24.

This was anyone’s game.

A last hoorah from Stratford, a truly guttural final quarter from the girls in red and white awarded the Swans the lead, 36 to 33.

The game was over, and Stratford claimed the premiership cup.

Lakes Entrance’s Sheree Eiseman was judged best on court.