That concludes the final week of finals for Maldon Football Netball Club and we are off to the Grand Final! What a big weekend for our junior finalists, we have our U14.5’s Football, U15s Netball and U17s Netball going through to the Grand Final! Unfortunately, our U17.5s Footballers had a devastating loss – but they fought hard all season and even more in their final match. As a club we are so proud to have some of our junior teams represent us on the field and court. We wish all players, coaches and officials the very best on the day and we can’t wait to see the action. If you can make it over to Princes Park to support our teams and the club the times are as follows:
Saturday September 17 U14.5 vs Talbot @ 9.20am; U15s Netball vs Harcourt @ 9.45am; and U17s Netball vs Rovers @11.00am.
Football
It wasn’t to be for the Under 17.5s going down to Talbot 35 to 43. Sadly, our gun ruckman and forward who was dominating the game got an injury just before half time and unfortunately didn’t get back on the field. It seemed to have an effect on the rest of the team as they felt the extra pressure to continue to perform and fill another gap in the field. Talbot fighting back to take the lead and dominate the second half to take out the win.
Best on were Xavior Noy, Harry Cossens, Callum Buchanan, Bailey O’Dell, Finian McKenzie, Charlie Baker.
Under 14.5s
With Navarre coming with only 15 players, we had a match that tested the team endurance and skill.
The team started well, kicking the first couple of goals for the game. The pressure of the finals slowly took over as Navarre hit back with a couple of goals. To the team’s credit after a pep talk during half time they relied together, showed determination and kicked a couple more goals in a row to seal the deal and make it to their first grand final with a 47 to 31 win.
Best on were Tadgh Cananzi, Riley Skinner, Ryan Burchall, Angus Layne, Brodie Doyle and Tully Rowbottom.
Netball
The U17 netballers had a very windy day to contend with on Saturday as they entered the preliminary final. With a loss to Carisbrook by one goal during the year the game was set for a blockbuster and that was exactly how it started and finished in the first quarter with the Maldon girls leading just 4 to Carisbrook 3. The second quarter seen the Maldon team kick into gear and were leading coming off the second quarter 10 – 5. The second half was an excellent combination of teamwork and the girls were able to create many turnovers registering on the scoreboard. It was a dominate second half by the Maldon team to finishing the game with a commanding 22-8 win to advance to the Grand Final for 2022.
Best was Tahlia Peaslee with her work around the ring and excellent ability to force turnovers in the attacking zone.
The U15s were very slow out the blocks with the two weeks off showing in the first quarter Carisbrook taking the lead 7-4. The second quarter seen a fight back by the Maldon team with many intercepts and excellent defensive structure the teams were able to turn the tables and lead 15 – 11 going into the third quarter. The next two quarters were very level pegging and both teams were eager for the win. However, the always determined and fighting ability of the U15’s girls that has been dominate this year in their games
shone through and the Maldon girls were able to take the win by 4 goals 25-21 advancing through to the Grand Final for 2022.
Best were MacKenzi Shepherd for her ability to intercept and determination to succeed always for her team.
Best of luck our three teams this weekend! Go Dons!