Broadford B Grade netballers have secured a back-to-back grand final appearance after defeating Yarra Glenn in a close contest on Saturday.
All Outer East Football Netball League division two preliminary finals were played at Broadford on Saturday, attracting a large crowd to Harley Hammond Reserve.
The Kangaroos scored a two-goal victory in the B Grade preliminary final despite trailing for two quarters of the game.
Yarra Glen led at the end of the first quarter by four goals before Broadford took the lead in the second quarter, heading into halftime up by two goals.
After half-time, Yarra Glenn recaptured the lead before the Kangaroos made a final quarter surge, shooting 14 goals to Yarra Glenn’s seven to take the win 45 goals to 43.
Broadford president Bonnie Cavanagh said the ‘seesawing contest’ was a thriller.
“It was incredible to see the fight they had to put in to pare the game back. It was like they were never going to lose that game,” she said.
“They just all banded together and found another level of intensity and really backed one another to turn the result around.”
Broadford’s Toni Bootland was the leading scorer for the day with 38 goals and was named in Broadford’s best.
Captain Ebony Heers and Hayley White were also named best players for the Kangaroos.
“Ebony Heers in defence has just been an absolute soldier all season, and just her determination and passion really shone through in the game to just lift the team up,” Cavanagh said.
“Young Cassie Zolnierczyk also had a really good game. She’s only just finding her feet playing senior finals having stepped up from the under 17s and she really shone when it counted.”
Broadford will play Warburton Millgrove in the Outer East Football Netball League division two B grade grand final at Yarra Glen on Saturday.
The two sides played each other in round one of finals with Broadford losing by five goals.
The Kangaroos are hoping to bring home the flag after losing in last year’s grand final to Powelltown by eight goals.
“This time around they’re just hungry for it and it shows with how determined they were to turn the result around on the weekend,” Cavanagh said.
“One of the things I’ve said since I started at the club was when one team wins, the whole club wins.
“So even though the A Grade and Reserves didn’t [win], we’ve got our B Grade girls are there to represent us and they will go all the way, and when they do, the whole club wins.
“We’ve all got to get behind them and hopefully they can bring home that flag for us on the weekend.”
Broadford A grade netballers had a five-goal loss to Yarra Glenn in their preliminary final.
Broadford started strong, leading 20 goals to 11 at the end of the first quarter.
Yarra Glen made its comeback to bring the game to within one goal before heading into halftime.
In the third term, the scoreboard flipped and it was Yarra Glenn who led at the end of the first quarter 40 goals to 39 before continuing with its momentum to defeat Broadford, 56 goals to 51.
Best players for Broadford were captain Ally Black, Megan Berger and Renee Sari.
“They’ve had another big year and they’re coming up against some tough opposition,” Cavanagh said.
“They were leading at a point and then just couldn’t sustain it and hang on, but they did us so proud this season.
“It’s another solid foundation for us to go into next season and hopefully we’ll just build on it to get that flag.”
Yarra Glen will now play Warburton-Millgrove in the grand final on Saturday.
Football
It’s the end of the Outer East Football Netball League division two finals campaign for Broadford Reserves after being defeated by Powelltown 11.14 (80) to 5.7 (37).
The first quarter was tight with Powelltown leading by two points before extending its lead out to 28 points before the half-time break.
Broadford was unable to make any major scoreboard movements, only kicking two points in the second term, while Powelltown got on a run, kicking four goals.
The Kangaroos cemented a solid first half performance with some great defence and passages of attacking play but couldn’t carry it through the second half.
Broadford were held scoreless in the third term, as Powelltown kicked another five for a 10-goal lead.
The Kangaroos outscored Powelltown in the fourth quarter, kicking four goals to one, but it was too late as they went down by 37 points, ending their finals journey.
Broadford president Bonnie Cavanagh said the side gave it their all.
“They were right with them up until halftime. They played their hearts out and did us proud,” she said.
“To make it to a preliminary final from where they’ve been, all their hard work certainly paid off and they did us proud. It’s always a great foundation for next season now.”
Captain Matt Dunbar, Sean Duggan and Jai Heers were among Broadford’s best players.
The Broadford Reserves’ final rounded out the triple preliminary feature hosted by Broadford.
Cavanagh said it was fantastic to see so many people come and support the club’s preliminary final efforts.
“It was the best showcase of our club and just shows how hardworking and friendly we are,” she said.
“Whenever I or the club asks for help, people answer our call because they just love giving back to the community but also the club as well.
“The league commented it was one of the best run finals they’ve seen and were very complimentary. They praised our volunteers, our committee and players on the way we conducted ourselves so I could not have asked for a better turnout.
“We were really organised and we just smashed it out of the park.”
In the Reserves, Powelltown will now play Warburton-Millgrove, while the senior match will be Alexandra versus Powelltown. All division two grand finals will be at Yarra Glen on Saturday.
