A Grade
Nullawil v Murrabit
Murrabit will take on Nullawil in the 2022 Golden Rivers Grand Final on Saturday.
Locking in a home Grand Final after winning the first semi final just a fortnight ago, Nullawil will be looking to cement its fifth A Grade premiership in a row. (Not counting the 2021 COVID Minor Premiers Murrabit.)
These two teams are no strangers, with both teams sitting on the top of the ladder in first and second place all season. Murrabit had the better of Nullawil twice and apart from Macorna, have been the only team to beat the Maroons this year. Likewise, Murrabit sat undefeated until a shock upset in the first semi final, where Nullawil came out firing and ended Murrabit’s perfect season, defeating them by 14 goals.
We can expect a close, fierce encounter from these two teams and some spectacular match ups, making this game a netball lovers’ delight. Murrabit’s goaling combination in Lauren Morrow and Grace Gillingham are coming off a superb preliminary final win, however, will have their work cut out for them with the defensive efforts of Sophie Peacock and Meg Hogan, whose clever reading of the play has been known to turn over the ball pre-entry into the circle.
The battle of the midcourt will see the likes of Murrabit’s runner-up league Best & Fairest Mary Yates-Ward and Nullawil’s Zoe Ferrier. Even though Ferrier played the majority of her season in B Grade, she is almost a certain starter for the Maroons. Ferrier will have to wear the body of Yates-Ward closely if she is to stop her powerful drives and goal assists, and work tirelessly to stay in play as Yates-Ward is a master of drawing the contact.
The C bib contest will perhaps be the most crucial match up of the day as the Blues Steph Reeves takes on Nully’s Meg Fawcett. Both players have speed and smarts and will be battling it out body on body all day, with the winner here no doubt providing crucial drives into attack for their team.
Young gun Ella Sheahan, for Nullawil, will meet the experienced Ashea Bujdoso as we move onto the attack end of Nullawil. Sheahan will have to use her pace to out-run Bujdoso, however the smarts of the Blues in defence could find the young gun working hard for possession.
The attack end of Taya Bartram and Gemma Fawcett will have their work cut out for them when they come up against the in-form Chloe Adams and depending on injury, Kayla Casey. If Casey cannot get up for the game due to a knee injury in the preliminary final, Murrabit’s Aimee Sinclair will come into the GK bib.
It’s potentially a big risk with her own B Grade premiership to be decided later in the day. Adams and Casey like a split ring defensive style and Bartram and Fawcett will need to work tirelessly to get their opportunities to shoot.
It will be a battle up each end where goaling accuracy will be crucial, an area both teams have recently demonstrated as a weakness. The defensive efforts of Nullawil’s Peacock up one end and the Blues Adams at the other will punish any goals not scored. Both teams need to limit the opposition’s rebounding opportunities if they are to win this game.
If the final is anything to go by, expect this game to be close for the first half and some dominance from the winning team in the second. Murrabit have demonstrated all season they are the team to beat and will be looking to rectify the mistakes of their final loss. Nullawil has experience in winning finals and will be calm under pressure.
A prediction for this match? With vengeance on their mind and their form in the preliminary final, Murrabit will come out firing. But Nullawil’s speed and drive and the powerful goaling of Gemma Fawcett will see them win the match by seven goals.
B Grade
Murrabit v Nullawil
Murrabit will take on Nullawil in the B Grade Grand Final. Murrabit will be looking to continue their winning form and have beaten Nullawil every encounter this season. Murrabit’s Jess Bray and Nullawil’s Zoe Ferrier will battle it out in the midfield. Don’t be surprised if young gun Milla Bray also takes the court for the Blues. Jacki Watts for Nullawil also has potential to have a big impact on this game. Whilst it will be closer than previous games, Murrabit will be premiers and win by two goals.
B Reserve
Murrabit vs Nullawil
These two teams have battled it out throughout the season with Nullawil taking the points only once. A player to watch is Murrabit’s Erica Cummins. Murrabit’s shooting accuracy will see them win this match and continue their strong season, winning by 10 goals.
Under 17
Macorna vs Ultima
This game will be a display of the young talent from this league. Ultima have Kobe Davidson, Lily Grey and Jada Kelly, all of whom played some seniors at their club this season, whilst Macorna is not shy of young talent itself with Shamana Bacon, Maddy Black and Ebony Black the ones to watch. Ultima has defeated Macorna twice throughout the season however the in-form Tigers show a lot of fight on the court. Macorna in an upset by 1 goal.
Under 14
Nullawil vs Ultima
Ultima’s double dominators in Indi and Scarlett Grey will be looking to make their mark on this game early on Saturday. Tessa Sheahan from Nullawil is also one to watch. Nullawil’s under 14 side have been an absolute powerhouse this season, proving the depth of Netball at Nullawil. The Maroons to win by 20 goals.
