BALRANALD’S premiership defence came to an end on the court where it started, as the Mallee Eagles claimed a seven-goal win in Sunday’s elimination final.
After a tight first quarter that ended 9-9, the Eagles stretched their wings in the second term, with a 17-10 run giving them a seven-goal half-time lead.
The reigning premiers worked their way back into the contest to trail by just three at the final change, before the Eagles pulled away to record a 50-43 victory.
Mallee Eagles coach Meg Allen was pleased with her team’s whole-court effort, avenging their preliminary final loss to the Roos last season.
“(Balranald) are a class outfit and a real quality team, so we knew it was going to be a tough contest right from the outset,” Allen said.
“It was a well contested game from both ends and across the court. There were no individual standouts from either side, really.
“Everyone essentially played their role for their side, which made for a really good game of netball.
“We didn’t make any changes at quarter-time, but we just found our rhythm a little bit in the second quarter.
“Both sides were perhaps a little bit nervous, as it was a pretty quick game in the first quarter, and even though we like to play fast netball, we just kind of settled into a rhythm.
“We were lucky that our goalies each had a great game, both Kellie (Walker) and Megan (Thorneycroft) shot beautifully and held really well, so credit goes to them for sure.”
Also strong contributors, their midcourt runners Sonya Lorenzoni, Elly Bookham and Allen helped contain Balranald’s Bree Hodgson, Bonnie Jolliffe and Brie Galvin.
“I thought our defensive pressure from every player was awesome,” Allen said.
“We weren’t waiting for the ball to get into ring and then try and win the turnover.
“The pressure through our midcourt was fantastic and I think we did the basics well, which is what we’ve been working on.
“Just doing the little things like leading in front and hands-up pressure, it does help to win games.
“Particularly in the attacking end, playing in front is a massive one for us, just so we’re not relying on that lob-over ball that can be intercepted.”
While Balranald’s dream of consecutive titles ended, the Eagles’ dream of breaking their long premiership drought is very much intact.
Allen was aware, however, that this Sunday’s game against Woorinen will be another step up.
“It will be an interesting game in that we’ve only played each other once this year, when they jumped us at the start and had a big first quarter, which we weren’t able to recover from,” Allen said.
“If we can eliminate that and stop the ball from getting into their ring, then I’ve got full confidence in our girls to take it right up to them.”
FINAL WHISTLE:
Mallee Eagles 50
Balranald 43
