General News
23 August, 2024
Let the finals fun begin
THERE’S a hint of spring in the air, and that means finals are upon us in the Loddon Valley and North Central football and netball leagues. You can often throw out the form book at this time of year, when sudden-death contests can make the best...
THERE’S a hint of spring in the air, and that means finals are upon us in the Loddon Valley and North Central football and netball leagues.
You can often throw out the form book at this time of year, when sudden-death contests can make the best sides quake and the less-favoured teams pull something out of the bag.
The battle of the bridges in the Loddon league between Bridgewater and Newbridge is on again, with the loser’s season over. For inspiration, the Maroons will be focusing on their narrow defeat in round one rather than their 99-point belting in round 10.
Marong awaits the winner of the qualifying final between Pyramid Hill and Bears Lagoon Serpentine. The Panthers have lost only once in three seasons — to the Bulldogs earlier this season — so a possible return bout in the finals is an enticing prospect.
Serp, however, will have plenty to say about that in a tightly matched contest at Maiden Gully, where the weather may have a say in the result.
A Grade netball sees Mitiamo with the week off. They will face the winner of Pyramid Hill and Newbridge in the second semi-final.
Wedderburn sneaked into the final-four in the North Central football league, and will face Donald, the team the Redbacks beat by 10 points to secure their place in the finals.
With their places in the second semi-final next week already sewn up, North Central netball’s top two teams, Loddon Valley’s own Wedderburn and Boort, eased their way into the play-offs with comfortable wins in the final round.
“I know when we step on the courts in that final atmosphere we will be ready to go,” said Pies coach Georgia Haw.