Round 18 Results

Darley 64 defeated North Ballarat 44

Darley finished the home-and-away season strongly, recording a convincing 20-goal victory over North Ballarat. Their attacking circle was a major feature, with Olivia Cawthray and Akira McCormack combining strongly and providing a consistent target throughout the match.

At the defensive end, Matilda Elliot again showed her class, applying strong pressure to shut down North Ballarat’s Maddy Selmon and limit her influence in the circle. Darley’s ability to create pressure and then transition into attack allowed them to maintain control of the contest.

North Ballarat rotated through four goalers across the match as they searched for the right combination. While they were able to create opportunities, they struggled to settle into a consistent attacking rhythm and convert those chances under Darley’s defensive pressure.

Sebastopol 74 defeated Melton 24

Sebastopol finished the home-and-away season in impressive fashion, producing a dominant 50-goal victory over Melton. Adut Manyiel was outstanding in the goal circle, shooting 45 goals at an incredible 95% accuracy and providing the consistency that allowed Sebastopol to control the scoreboard across the match.

Alice Kain was also influential after returning to the defensive circle, using her pressure and ability to contest possession to create turnovers and give Sebastopol opportunities to transition forward.

For Melton, the result capped off a season focused on development. They continued to provide four quarters of developing netball and will take valuable experience into next season as they continue to build combinations and develop their playing group.

Redan 56 defeated East Point 36

Redan finished the season strongly, recording a 20-goal victory over East Point. The inclusion of Ruby Parry provided the side with added leadership and helped settle the group, while Stacey Matthews continued to provide strong drive through the midcourt.

Eva Manserra was again a key target in the shooting circle, finishing with 31 goals and giving Redan the consistency they needed at the attacking end. The combination between the midcourt and shooting circle allowed Redan to build scoreboard pressure and finish the season on a positive note.

East Point continued to add competitiveness throughout the match, but multiple changes across the court took time to settle. Jeremi Robinson carried the bulk of the scoring responsibility, finishing with 20 goals, as East Point worked hard to create opportunities and remain in the contest.

Sunbury 61 defeated Ballarat 52

What looked like a potential battle of the round lived up to expectations, with Sunbury eventually coming away with a nine-goal victory over Ballarat. The contest was competitive throughout, but Sunbury were able to find enough control and consistency to come away with the result.

Caitlin Hill was a standout in the shooting circle, finishing with 32 goals, while Tayla Honey was outstanding through Centre and GD. Her ability to influence the game at both ends of the court made her difficult to contain and provided Sunbury with an important link through transition.

Ballarat were led strongly by Imogen Sexton in the goal circle, who finished with 38 goals and provided a reliable target throughout the match. Through the midcourt, Manon Muir was controlled and dominant, helping Ballarat maintain possession and create attacking opportunities. Despite their strong performance, Sunbury were able to finish the match with the greater scoreboard pressure.

Lake Wendouree 62 defeated Bacchus Marsh 37

Lake Wendouree were determined to finish the home-and-away season with a strong performance, producing a convincing 25-goal victory over Bacchus Marsh.

Ebony Porter was a standout in the attacking circle, finishing with 34 goals. Her connection with Emma Hawker through Centre and WA was a major feature, with the combination providing strong movement, clean ball and consistent opportunities for the Lakers’ goalers.

Bacchus Marsh continued to compete strongly, with Chloe Eyre making an impact around the attacking circle and working more as a goal assist to help set up play. Kimberly Phillips also finished the match strongly in the shooting circle, scoring 28 goals and providing a consistent option for Bacchus Marsh throughout the contest.

The top-of-the-ladder Darley will meet North Ballarat again in the qualifying final, with the two sides replaying their Round 18 contest.

Darley will enter the final with confidence after a convincing 64–44 victory, but finals netball brings a different level of pressure and intensity.

Darley’s ability to apply defensive pressure and quickly transition into attack will again be a key factor. Their defensive unit has shown throughout the season that they can create turnovers and turn them into scoring opportunities, with Matilda Elliot particularly important in restricting North Ballarat’s options in the circle.

At the attacking end, Olivia Cawthray and Akira McCormack have shown their ability to provide a strong and reliable combination, giving Darley plenty of options when moving the ball forward. Their ability to maintain this connection and convert opportunities will be important under finals pressure.

North Ballarat will need to find greater consistency in attack after rotating through four goalers in Round 18. Their ability to settle their shooting combination and build confidence in the circle will be crucial against Darley’s defensive pressure.

Through the midcourt, North Ballarat will need to create clean possession and provide quality ball into their attacking end, while also ensuring they convert the opportunities they create. If they can settle early and establish a consistent attacking rhythm, they have the ability to challenge Darley and make the qualifying final a much closer contest.

Key Match-Up

• Darley’s attacking circle against North Ballarat’s defensive pressure.
• Matilda Elliot against North Ballarat’s goalers.
• North Ballarat’s midcourt delivery against Darley’s defensive pressure.

What to Watch

• Whether North Ballarat can settle their attacking combinations.
• Darley’s ability to turn defensive pressure into scoring opportunities.
• Shooting accuracy under finals pressure.

Prediction

Darley will go into the qualifying final with the momentum of their Round 18 victory, but North Ballarat will have the opportunity to respond immediately. Expect a much tighter and more physical contest as both sides look to secure the advantage heading further into the final’s series.

Darley Team List

GS – Olivia Cawthray
GA – Akira McCormack
WA – Lucy Taylor
C – Montana Holmes
WD – Jaimee Smith
GD – Anna Lawley
GK – Matilda Elliot
Sub – Shannon Blackman
Sub – Ailish McCormack

North Ballarat Team List

GS – Maddy Selmon
GA – Poppy Douglass
WA – Georgia Bodey
C – Lilly Francis
WD – Brydi Hutchinson
GD – Milly Simpson
GK – Maggie Smith
Sub – Maddy Fitzpatrick
Sub – Kelsie Rainbow
Sub – Amy Wirth

The second elimination final sees third-placed Lake Wendouree take on sixth-placed Ballarat, with everything on the line for both sides. This shapes as one of the most intriguing match-ups of the finals series, particularly given the previous two meetings between the teams have both resulted in draws.

Lake Wendouree will take confidence from their strong finish to the home-and-away season, with Ebony Porter and Emma Hawker forming an influential combination through the attacking end. Their ability to maintain possession, move the ball with patience and create consistent opportunities will be important against a Ballarat side capable of putting scoreboard pressure on quickly. The Lakers will look to establish their attacking rhythm early and use their movement through the midcourt to create space and opportunities for their goalers.

Ballarat will come into the final with a strong and settled combination of their own. Dakota Blade will provide the main shooting target at GS, while Ella Shannon through Centre will look to provide plenty of movement and quality delivery into the attacking end. Ballarat will need to use their midcourt movement to create clean ball and maintain pressure on the Lakers’ defence. At the defensive end, it will be Eliza Burge who ultimately takes on the responsibility of shutting down the Lakers’ goal circle and limiting their scoring opportunities. If Ballarat can apply pressure early and disrupt Lake Wendouree’s attacking flow, they will give themselves every opportunity to stay in the contest.

With the previous two contests ending in draws, there is very little separating these sides. Finals pressure will test both teams, and the ability to remain composed when the game is tight could ultimately determine who continues into the next week.

Key Match-Up

• Ebony Porter against the Ballarat defensive circle.
• Ella Shannon against Sadie Cheesman for Lake Wendouree midcourt.
• The battle for possession and transition through the centre third.

What to Watch

• Whether the Lakers can maintain their attacking connection.
• Dakota Blade influence in the goal circle.
• The ability of both teams to handle the pressure of an elimination final.

Prediction

With the previous two meetings ending in draws, this is shaping as a genuine decider. Lake Wendouree will have confidence from their strong finish, but Ballarat have shown they can match them. Expect another tight contest where composure and shooting accuracy could decide the result.

Lake Wendouree Team List

GS – Addison Funcke
GA – Ebony Porter
WA – Bella Clark
C – Sadie Cheesman
WD – Rosie Todd
GD – Remi Hooper
GK – Kate Drew
Sub – Emma Hawker
Sub – Demi Thompson
Sub – Evie Snowden
Sub – Paris Shrive

Ballarat Team List

GS – Dakota Blade
GA – Rebecca Anstey
WA – Ava Richardson
C – Ella Shannon
WD – Jacinta McKenzie
GD – Eliza Burge
GK – Bree Lane
Sub – Brooke O’Brien
Sub – Abbey O’Brien
Sub – Ava Verrier

Sunbury will take on Sebastopol in the first elimination final after both sides finished the home-and-away season strongly. Sunbury will enter the contest after a nine-goal victory over Ballarat, while Sebastopol produced one of their strongest performances of the season with a dominant win over Melton.

Sunbury’s strength will come through the combination of Caitlin Hill in the shooting circle and Tayla Honey through the midcourt. Honey’s ability to influence both attack and defence gives Sunbury an important advantage through transition, with her work rate and versatility allowing her to impact the game at both ends. Hill has consistently provided a reliable scoring option and will be crucial in converting the opportunities Sunbury create. The difference might be the defenders Eliza Gollant and Elly Randall in a battle to shut down Adut Manyiel

Sebastopol will be full of confidence after Manyiel’s outstanding Round 18 performance, where she shot 45 goals at an incredible 95% accuracy. Her ability to provide a strong and consistent target will be a major focus for Sunbury’s defensive unit. At the other end, Sebastopol’s defensive pressure will be equally important, with Alice Kain adding strength, composure and the ability to create turnovers in the defensive circle.

Key Match-Up

• Caitlin Hill against the Sebastopol defensive circle.
• Adut Manyiel against Sunbury’s defensive unit.
• Tayla Honey against Sebastopol’s midcourt.

What to Watch

• Manyiel shooting accuracy under finals pressure.
• Tayla Honey’s influence across the court.
• Which team can create and convert the most turnover ball.
• The ability of both sides to maintain four-quarter consistency.

Prediction

This shapes as a high-quality elimination final between two sides with strong attacking options and plenty of defensive pressure. Sunbury will bring confidence from their Round 18 win, but Sebastopol’s attacking form and the consistency of Manyiel in the goal circle make them a dangerous finals opponent. Expect a fast and physical contest with very little separating the sides.

Sunbury Team List

GS – Caitlyn Hill
GA – Lani Fauonuku
WA – Georgia Hellyer
C – Tayla Honey
WD – Abi Inglis
GD – Eliza Gollant
GK – Elly Randall
Sub – Charlize Bellette
Sub – Taylah Easton

Sebastopol Team List

GS – Adut Manyiel
GA – Laura Bell
WA – Hannah Atkinson
C – Tahlia Watts
WD – Nikki Allen
GD – Taylor Finch
GK – Alice Kain
Sub – Makayla Wright
Sub – Jami Luhrs
Sub – Sienna Muir