Semi Final – Darley v Lake Wendouree

Darley have shown exactly why they finished on top of the ladder, producing a dominant performance against Lake Wendouree to secure their place in next Saturday’s McDonald’s BFNL A Grade Grand Final with a convincing 61–37 victory.

With Akira McCormack returning to the Darley line-up, their attacking circle looked even more difficult to contain, with both goalers providing strong options and creating a far more unpredictable shooting combination.

Darley came out firing in the opening quarter, establishing an early 17–5 lead. Lake Wendouree struggled to find their rhythm under the defensive pressure, with the normally calm and composed attacking combination of Ebony Porter and Addison Funcke becoming unsettled as opportunities went begging.

The second quarter saw the Lakers make changes and become far more competitive. They were able to create better opportunities and converted 13 goals from just two missed shots, giving themselves a chance to fight their way back into the contest.

Darley, however, responded strongly at the other end. Their attacking circle continued to control the game, and they produced a 20-goal quarter to extend their advantage. At half time, Darley had established a comfortable nine-goal lead and were beginning to take control of the contest.

The third quarter saw Darley continue to develop and execute their game plan. Their defensive pressure and ability to transition the ball through court continued to frustrate the Lakers, while Lake Wendouree again looked to change up their line-up.

The multiple changes created some unsettling combinations for the Lakers, who struggled to connect their systems and dropped away offensively, managing just five goals for the quarter.

Lake Wendouree returned to their dominant line-up for the final term and showed exactly what they are capable of when their combinations settle. The Lakers won the final quarter 14–8, rewarding their effort and finishing the game strongly.

However, Darley’s incredible effort across the opening three quarters had already created too much separation. They were able to consolidate the scoreboard and finish with a commanding 61–37 victory.

The result sees Darley earn themselves a place in next Saturday’s Grand Final, while Lake Wendouree will now face North Ballarat in the Preliminary Final with their season on the line.

Semi Final – North Ballarat v Sunbury

North Ballarat have kept their finals campaign alive after producing a strong 64–46 victory over Sunbury, progressing through to the Preliminary Final where they will now face Lake Wendouree.

The match started with full intensity from both sides, but it was North Ballarat who immediately established control.

Maddy Selmon and Poppy Douglass were outstanding in the opening term, shooting at 100% and combining to help North Ballarat put 18 goals on the board.

Sunbury had opportunities to remain within touching distance, but North’s defensive pressure made every possession difficult. Maggie Smith made an immediate impact when entering the court, applying strong pressure and making life difficult for the Sunbury attacking circle.

North Ballarat continued to set the tone in the second quarter, again producing an unblemished shooting performance and adding another 17 goals.

Sunbury began to create more opportunities through their fast-paced style of play and were able to build their score, but North Ballarat remained composed and maintained control of the contest.

The third quarter saw Sunbury make a significant positional change, with Lani Fauonuku moving from GK into the GA position. The move had an immediate impact, with North Ballarat’s defenders struggling to contain her movement and shooting range.

Fauonuku worked strongly in combination with Caitlin Hill, allowing Sunbury to find more fluency in attack and win the quarter. The momentum shift gave Sunbury some hope heading into the final term.

With North Ballarat holding an 11-goal advantage heading into the final quarter, Sunbury knew they needed to produce something special to close the gap.

They continued to push hard, but North Ballarat’s defensive combination of Maggie Smith and Amy Wirth added further pressure over the shot and made it difficult for Sunbury to consistently convert their opportunities.

At the other end, Maddy Selmon continued to be almost unstoppable, adding another 10 goals in the final quarter and helping North Ballarat push the margin out.

North Ballarat finished the game with a convincing 64–46 victory and will now face Lake Wendouree in the Preliminary Final.

Maddy Selmon was exceptional throughout the contest, finishing with an incredible 44 goals at 93% accuracy.

For Lake Wendouree, this is a chance to respond after a difficult Semi Final against Darley. While the Lakers were unable to match Darley across the opening three quarters, their final-quarter performance showed the fight and ability still sitting within the group.

The Lakers returned to their dominant attacking combination in the final term and produced their best quarter of the match, winning it 14–8. They will need to take that confidence into the Preliminary Final and find a way to produce that level of composure and connection from the opening centre pass.

Their attacking circle of Addison Funcke and Ebony Porter will be under enormous pressure against a North Ballarat defence that has just come off a strong performance against Sunbury.

For North Ballarat, this is another opportunity to continue their finals campaign after falling agonisingly short against Darley in the Qualifying Final.

North showed in that match that they can challenge the best sides in the competition, and their 64–46 victory over Sunbury demonstrated their ability to reset and perform under finals pressure.

Maddy Selmon will enter the Preliminary Final in outstanding form. Her combination with Poppy Douglass and the support provided through the attacking end gives North plenty of options.

The previous encounter between Lake Wendouree and North Ballarat saw the Lakers claim a seven-goal victory. That result will give the Lakers confidence, but finals are a different contest, and North Ballarat will be determined to turn that result around when there is a Grand Final position on the line.

Key Match-Up

• Lake Wendouree’s attacking circle against North Ballarat’s defensive pressure.
• Addison Funcke and Ebony Porter against Maggie Smith and the North Ballarat defensive combination.
• Maddy Selmon against the Lakers’ defensive circle.
• The midcourt battle with Sadie Cheesman and Brydi Hutchison
• Which team can capitalise on turnover opportunities and convert under pressure.

What to Watch

• Whether Lake Wendouree can start the game with the same confidence and accuracy they showed in the final quarter against Darley.
• Maddy Selmon’s ability to continue her incredible shooting form.
• How Lake Wendouree manages North Ballarat’s defensive pressure.
• Whether North can contain the combination of Funcke and Porter.
• The impact of positional changes and rotations throughout the match.
• Which side can remain composed when the pressure increases late in the game.

Prediction

This Preliminary Final shapes as a fascinating contest between two sides who have already shown they can challenge strong opposition.

Lake Wendouree will take confidence from their seven-goal victory over North Ballarat earlier in the season, while North will be determined to produce a different result when the stakes are significantly higher.

The Lakers will need to improve their consistency across all four quarters after their slow start against Darley, while North Ballarat will be looking to build on the confidence gained from their strong victory over Sunbury.

Maddy Selmon enters the contest in exceptional form, but North cannot afford to become too reliant on one scoring option. Lake Wendouree will look to apply pressure across the entire attacking circle and force North to work for every opportunity.

At the other end, North’s defensive pressure will need to disrupt the connection between Funcke and Porter and prevent the Lakers from settling into their preferred combinations.

With a Grand Final berth on the line, expect a highly competitive and physical Preliminary Final. Lake Wendouree have already shown they can get the better of North Ballarat, but North will enter with the momentum of a strong Semi Final performance and plenty to prove.

Prediction: Flip a coin this is going to be a battle. Lake Wendouree to have the edge if they can bounce back from the loss against Darley, but with North’s Semi Final match in exceptional form expect a close contest that could come down to shooting accuracy and composure in the final quarter.

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

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