By Nick Creely
SOUTH EAST FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
GRAND FINAL REVIEW
They never even gave them a chance.
Tooradin-Dalmore was simply clinical, claiming back-to-back A Grade premierships in a dominant showing against Cranbourne, 52-21, in front of a bumper crowd at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday.
It was a wonderful performance made all the more special by the fact that champion coach Kelly Andrews welcomed a newest family member just a week before her side claimed glory and stamped themselves as the most dominant team in the SEFNL.
Andrews told the SEFNL website that things were kept fairly simple for her Seagulls this week after what was a big seven days for her family, with her and husband Ben welcoming their first child, but was proud of the girls for taking charge and producing a quality grand final performance.
“There was no message from me this week, I had a baby during the week so the girls have basically ran their own sessions and just proved what a committed and great unit they are,” she said.
“I didn’t have to do a lot on grand final day because the girls are all well drilled and the work had already been done.”
The Eagles – coached by Donna Wilson – came into the clash as outsiders, but riding a stunning wave of momentum off the back of finals wins against Beaconsfield, Narre Warren and Doveton after finishing the home and away season in fourth position.
But the Seagulls – who have now been the dominant netball figure of the SEFNL – made sure that the Eagles couldn’t get their game going, surging out to an 11-3 lead at quarter time.
The second quarter was sublime. The Seagulls – off the back of powerful performances from Jessica Cox (best on court), Alex Maher and Alex Duff – increased their lead to 19 goals at half time after a stunning 16-5 term.
But although they maintained their intensity and ensured they would be the champions of the SEFNL once more, Andrews admitted that she was wary of the Eagles’ blistering form.
“I’m very happy with how today went because Cranbourne had defeated Doveton, Narre Warren and Beaconsfield and have been playing some great netball of late,” she said.
“I am so impressed with Cranbourne and where they have come from. To lose a player like Alannah Hardy, who has always tore us up and is a great player, and still make it through to the grand final is an amazing effort.
“They had some injuries and had a tough road to get here so maybe that played a part in the final result today as well.”
Upon reflection of why the Seagulls have been able to string together consecutive premierships, Andrews said it came down to hard work and an understanding between everyone involved in the side.
“I can be quite demanding, but these girls never fail to give me what I ask for,” she said.
”They work really hard on their fitness and skills and we all get along, we’re all great friends, but we can be brutally honest with each other when we need to be.
“There’s just a really good balance and very good dynamic about this team at the moment.”
Elsewhere across the SEFNL senior grades, Narre Warren proved too strong for Beaconsfield in a 47-35 B Grade win, with Amy Rae named best on court for the Magpies.
In C Grade, Beaconsfield held off a gallant Tooradin-Dalmore to clinch the flag in the 30-27 thriller, with Miya Peterson adjudged best on court in a superb performance in a losing cause.
And in D Grade, Doveton clinched a thrilling 24-20 grand final win over Tooradin-Dalmore, with Erin Wolfenbuttel named best on court after a dominant performance in the wet.
In the junior netball grades, Berwick held off Cranbourne to win 30-28 in the 17 Under Red clash, while in the Under 17 White, Beaconsfield were too strong for Narre Warren in the 29-20 win. In Under 15 Red, ROC claimed a magnificent premiership by defeating 29-25, with Mikayla Phillips superb, while in Under 15 White, Cranbourne got the chocolates against Berwick, 17-14.
And, finally, in the Under 13 Red grade, Pakenham defeated Berwick 25-18, while Beaconsfield beat ROC 22-16 in the Under 13 White grand final.
