A grade premiers, Poowong: from front left – Katelyn Miller and Nicole Vamplew
A grade:
Poowong Vs Ellinbank
POOWONG has retained the A grade premiership after downing Ellinbank by eight goals at Nar Nar Goon on Sunday.
Ellinbank managed to squeeze the margin back to two goals by the end of the third quarter, but when Poowong settled in the final quarter there was little the Bankers could do.
Poowong started strongly, despite very tight defensive work from Ellinbank. Opening quarter nerves resulted in a number of turnovers preventing either team from dominating the quarter. Candace Page, in goal attack for Poowong, moved beautifully and helped Poowong to a narrow lead at the first change.
Both defensive ends worked tirelessly with Katelyn Miller providing the drive to give Poowong a three-goal lead at the half.
Ellinbank started the second half strongly and their determination enabled them to chip away at the margin.
Goal shooter Abbey Bowman was accurate from all over the ring and just as it looked like Ellinbank was going to snatch the lead, Poowong scored five quick goals to break away again.
It was an erratic start to the final quarter, but once again Poowong seemed to settle the pace and win a few quick goals to open the margin up to a comfortable lead.
Poowong were too strong and came away very worthy winners following a flawless season.
B grade:
Ellinbank Vs Warragul Industrials
After a nervous side, Ellinbank confidently displaced Warragul to claim the B grade flag.
The Dusties came out strong and capitalised on the mistakes by its shaky opponent but a resolute second quarter returned the lead to the Bankers.
A cameo appearance by Amy Hodge during the second and third quarters helped Ellinbank to control the game.
Confusion reigned supreme in the Dusties camp with substitutions aplenty during the quarter, preventing them from finding any consistency and allowing Ellinbank to stretch its lead to 13.
The Dusties reduced the margin slightly in the fourth, but couldn’t bridge the gap.
C grade:
Nar Nar Goon Vs Ellinbank
Nar Nar Goon was forced to hold off a determined Ellinbank to capture the C grade flag.
Within the first half, the Goon had streaked to a double-figure lead, but a shaky third term left it vulnerable to the day’s biggest upset.
Seven goals in a row to Ellinbank put it back within four points setting up an intriguing final quarter.
Inaccuracy continued to plague the Nar Nar Goon goalers with Ellinbank moving to within two goals.
But some much-needed composure returned at the right time for the Goon who escaped with an eight-goal win.
D grade: Nar Nar Goon Vs Buln Buln
Nar Nar Goon showed why it went through the season undefeated, easily accounting for Buln Buln in the D grade grand final.
The Goon extended its lead at each break to win by 20 points – one of the biggest margins on the day.
Despite heavy rain making playing conditions difficult, Nar Nar Goon still managed to register the day’s highest score of 46.
E grade: Poowong Vs Nar Nar Goon
Poowong required a bout of extra time to shake a dogged Nar Nar Goon.
After four quarters failed to split the two sides, a fifth-quarter was needed as Poowong snatched victory by three goals.
It took four minutes before any side scored an opener, but when the drought was broken the goals poured.
Nar Nar Goon extended its lead by a goal in both the first, second and third quarters before Poowong rallied in the last to do enough to send the match into overtime.
F grade: Ellinbank Vs Bunyip
The under 13 girls set an enthusiastic tone for the rest of the day with both sides warming up for over 40 minutes and co-ordinating hair ribbons to match the team colours.
The match was a tightly-fought contest with Ellinbank edging out Bunyip by 24 goals.
It was a far more even contest than the scoreline suggested and both teams can be proud of the way they conducted themselves.
