Broadford’s B Grade netballers broke a 14-year netball premiership drought for their club on Saturday, winning the Outer East Football Netball League, OEFNL, division two grand final.
The Kangaroos defeated Warburton Millgrove, who they had lost to in the first round of finals, by nine goals.
Smooth passages of play and great defence saw Broadford take a strong 14 to eight lead in the first quarter.
The Burras continued their chase, shrinking the margin to five goals at half-time but the Kangaroos pushed their lead out to 10 in the third quarter before winning 48 goals to 39.
Broadford had intense defensive pressure on court with turnovers in the midcourt, deflections in attack, and intercepts and rebounds in the defence end.
Kangaroos captain Ebony Heers, Rhiannon Bausch and Anita Morgan were brick walls in defence while Carina Mills and Hayley White provided great run through the midcourt.
Goal attack Cassie Zolnierczyk was awarded best player, combining well with leading goal shooter Toni Bootland.
B Grade coach Jaimie Hooper said her team was hungry for the win.
“From the moment the whistle went on Saturday, you could tell the girls weren’t going to go down without a fight and after securing a six goal lead at quarter time, I could feel their energy not wavering and I knew we had it,” she said.
“They truly deserved the win on Saturday.”
Hooper said the side was grateful for the support this season – particularly its loud crowd of supporters at Yarra Glen on Saturday.
“On behalf of B Grade we’re beyond proud to be able to bring it home,” she said.
“The girls have worked so hard on and off the court. The support they have shown to me as a coach and executive member, support to the whole netball department and the club has been above and beyond.
“Thank you to the supporters, sponsors and players for your continued support throughout the entire season.”
President Bonnie Welch said the win was shared by all club members.
“I’m very proud of Jaimie as the coach, the team officials, trainers and players involved in this win, however our motto has been ‘when one wins, we all win’. It’s a win for the whole club,” she said.
“This is for all the volunteers, committee, supports, sponsors and players associated with the Broadford Football Netball Club.
“It’s for those who came before us and those who have stuck by us and believed we could do it. We know who you are and can’t thank you enough for the unwavering support.
“I think it’s around 14 years since our last netball grand final win so this has been a long time coming particularly since we have played off in numerous final series, coming runners up last year. It’s extremely special for us all.”
League awards
Broadford Football Netball Club also had success at the OEFNL awards night last week, including back-to-back finalists in Best Conducted Club of the Year.
Broadford B Grade captain Ebony Heers won division two B Grade netball best and fairest, while teammate Toni Bootland won leading goal shooter with 598 goals in the home and away season.
Broadford’s winners at the Outer East Football Netball League division two awards night last week. From left, Ebony Heers won the B Grade best and fairest, Ally Black won the A Grade runner-up best and fairest and was named in the league’s team of the year and Toni Bootland was leading goal shooter for the league’s division two B Grade after shooting 598 goals in the home and away season.
Broadford A Grade netball captain Ally Black made the division two A Grade team of the year.
Despite missing several rounds due to injury, Black also won division two A Grade runner up best and fairest with 20 votes – five votes short of the winner.
Senior football captain Liam Lucas and vice captain Josh Delaney were selected in the division two team of the year.
Delaney was placed in the back pocket averaging 23.5 disposals, 21.4 kicks, 6.4 marks, 2.4 intercept marks and 2.8 spoils this season.
Lucas was on the interchange averaging 27.5 disposals, 12 contested possessions, 8.1 marks, 5.3 clearances, 4.3 tackles and five score involvements this season.
Ms Welch said the night was a success for the club.
“It was fantastic to have success at the league awards night again including back-to-back finalists in Best Conducted Club,” she said.
“Not only winning in major categories, but we had players poll well across all football and netball grades.
“As a club we get around each other and ensure we strongly represent the club on these occasions, so it was awesome to celebrate the individual successes of players on the night too.”
