WEDDERBURN and Boort have a week off to ponder the next instalment in their bitter rivalry in North Central A Grade netball.
The Redbacks finished their unbeaten home-and-away season on a high with their biggest win of the year, a 94-35 demolition of bottom side St Arnaud.
Boort’s 54-35 win over Charlton secured second place on the ladder, and another meeting with Wedderburn in the second semi-final, to be played on the Magpies’ home deck on August 30.
Redbacks coach Susie Lockhart said all her players – including those on the bench – contributed to the win, with Kelsey Pallpratt, playing as wing defence instead of her normal centre role, the team’s best on the day.
Assistant coach Aliza Lockhart played her first full A Grade match since returning from an ACL injury in June last year, adding to the team’s enviable depth. A 25-goal first quarter set the standard for Wedderburn, which increased its lead at every break against the wooden-spooners.
The Redbacks will train as usual tonight and will have an in-house hit out on Saturday morning before heading to Birchip to watch the clash between Sea Lake Nandaly and Calder United,
Those teams met last Saturday, with the Lions winning a low-scoring battle 36-32 to give them a psychological advantage going into the finals.
BOORT’S victory over Charlton came after a tug-of-war in the first half, with the Magpies leading by three goals at half-time.
The second half saw Boort exert its dominance, pouring on 30 goals to 14. Coach Carly Isaac said the competitive nature of the match was welcome at this point in the season.
“Charlton is always tough, and they were at full strength, but we are looking pretty strong.”
Claire Smith, Isabel Soulsby and Remi Jeffery, who was later named as the team’s best-and fairest player for the season, were best for Charlton.
With all netball and football teams in the finals, it is an exciting week for the Magpies.
Isaac and her team may train on Saturday morning before going to Birchip to cheer on the B- and C-Grade netballers in their semi-finals.
She said her team was “super keen” to have another crack at the Redbacks on Saturday week.
“There’s a lot of things to work on – the girls all know that – and we’re pretty hungry for it.” 
Magpies’ best
Boort held its best and fairest count on Sunday.
A GRADE: Roxy Train. Runner-up Carly Isaac. Coach’s award Georgia Haw. B GRADE: Isabelle Hosking. Runner-up Emma Darker. Coach’s Award Britney Sykes. C GRADE: Ella Streader. Runner-up Anna Lanyon. Coach’s Award Anna Marcus.
C RESERVE: Brooke Arnold. Runner-up Kristen Gooding. Coach’s Award Kristen Gooding
UNDER 17: Anna Lanyon. Runner-up Hayley Yasa, Team Player Award Laci Streader. 
UNDER 14/GO: 14a Coach’s Award Amelia Hosking. 14b Coach’s Award Scarlett Crilly. Go Coach’s Award Mae McNally
Wally Manallack Award: Indie Gooding, Anna Lanyon.