WEST GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL NETBALL COMPETITION
FINALS REVIEW – WEEK 1
There’s no better time to produce a game-winning, buzzer-beating goal than a cutthroat elimination final – it’s what dreams are made of.
And that’s exactly what transpired for Korumburra-Bena star Kim Hillberg, who produced when it mattered most on Sunday afternoon- giving her side a 44-43, last second victory over the hometown Inverloch Kongwak.
The Giants well and truly had the wood over the Sea Eagles during the season, including a blowout victory.
So they rightfully entered Sunday’s clash as warm favourites, but the Sea Eagles came out firing in an intense first quarter.
While both sides struggled to convert their opportunities on goal, Tarli Hillberg was forced off the court with a nasty-looking ankle injury.
Though the Giants were up a goal at quarter time, the second period belong to the home side – specifically young star Millie Sadler. She went on a goal-shooting rampage and proved nearly unstoppable in the goal ring – shooting 12 second-quarter goals and giving her side a more than handy four-goal lead at the long-break.
It was more of the same in the third as the home side further increased its lead as Kelsey Buxton proved vital in the midcourt.
The Sea Eagles shot out to a seven-goal advantage before the Giants strategically reorganised and regathered themselves. The visitors then pulled back six goals in as many minutes to go into the final term just a goal down following a monumental momentum swing in the game. The last quarter was, by any measure, a classic as the intensity was raised yet again. With under a minute to go, scores were level with the ball down the Giants’ end. Then, with just 20 seconds on the clock and with the home side having a baseline throw-in at the Giants’ end, Kim Hillberg affected a crucial intercept and ultimately nailed the game-winning shot just seconds before the final whistle sounded. Gemma Dixon and Jacqui Snooks were simply superb for the Giants, while Sadler and Buxton were once again outstanding for the gallant Sea Eagles.
The day earlier, on Saturday, Dalyston recorded an 11-goal win over the Demons on their Denhams Road home court – 57-46.
The Magpies side included a starting lineup containing five players 18 years or under, which led to the inevitable question – would they be able to stand up under finals pressure against such an experienced opponent?
The answer proved to be a resounding yes, with the visiting young guns thriving in the pressure cooker environment.
The Demons were firing early, jumping out to a five-to-one lead before the visitors settled.
Ultimately, Brit Thomas and Alana McRae proved real difference makers as their side was too much to handle for the Demons, despite the best efforts of the likes of Mariah Bell and Kate Murphy.
Murphy was outstanding at wing attack, but the visitors were simply too poised when it mattered most.
In B Grade, Dalyston recorded a 20-goal qualifying final win over Bunyip – 55-35 – while the Cobras recorded a thrilling two-goal triumph over the Giants in Sunday’s elimination final at Inverloch, 40-38.
Information provided by AFL Gippsland contributed heavily to this report.
