SWAN Hill is the first team to secure a netball grand final spot after beating the Mallee Eagles by a convincing 17-goal margin at Riverside Park on Saturday.
Despite being disappointed at her team’s loss, Eagles coach Vicki McDonald said there wasn’t much else her side could have done.
“Swan Hill was a very classy team, very well experienced and well drilled,” she said.
Swan Hill appeared to shake off any finals nerves early in the match, allowing them to gain some tactical intercepts which they were able to convert, going into the first break four goals up over the Eagles. By half-time, the Swans had pushed their lead out to nine goals, but never looked like becoming complacent against a dangerous Eagles side.
Swans shooters Casey Frame and Ingrid Condely were at the top of their game, scoring effortlessly despite the efforts of the Eagles’ defending duo Claire and Meg Allen. The Swans were also defensively tight in the midcourt, making it hard for Eagles attacks to work their way down the court.
By three-quarter time, the scoreline read 38-53 in favour of the Swans. The Eagles did their best not to drop their heads, but just couldn’t recover.
“It is hard to play catch-up netball after that,” McDonald said.
Swan Hill playing coach Madeleine Nalder said she was happy her team now had an opportunity to play in the grand final.
“I am really pleased with our four-quarter effort and our pressure on the ball,” she said.
“Over the next two weeks we will probably just rehash over this game – what worked well, what we did well and things we need to improve on – and look forward to the preliminary final to see who we will be coming up against and then preparations for whoever that will be.”
The Eagles go up against Balranald in the preliminary final in Cohuna on Saturday to determine who the Swans will meet in the premiership match.
Final whistle
Mallee Eagles 54
Swan Hill 71
