Ocean Grove pulled away from a determined Queenscliff in the BNL qualifying final to set up an epic second semi-final showdown against Geelong Amateur next Saturday.
The Grubbers led by a goal at the last change, but finished off well to win 54 to 45 at Portarlington in an entertaining game.
The Grubbers’ superior goal conversion was the difference, shooting 54 from 59 attempts while the Coutas got plenty of looks but could manage just 45 from 71.
The Coutas were terrific for three quarters and will now meet Torquay in Sunday’s first semi-final.
Emma Jones again filled in for the injured Amanda O’Malley and was a key part of the win for Grove at goal defence. If O’Malley misses the semi with her ankle injury, coach Mel Holmes has found a ripper in Jones.
Arlee Bennett came back into the team after illness last weekend and was excellent in goal in tandem with co-captain Zanna Woods.
For Queenscliff, Ebony Rolph did well on Woods while Keely Kinsey patrolled wing defence with authority and Phoebe Knox was always threatening in goal.
The Coutas will meet Torquay in the first semi-final on Sunday after the Tigers defeated Newcomb in the elimination final.
Daisy O’Kane shot 37 goals from 43 attempts while at the other end of the court, Carly Sanders shot 32 from 33 for the Power.
SECOND SEMI-FINALS
Portarlington, Saturday August 30
A Grade: Geelong Amateur vs Ocean Grove, 2.30pm
B Grade: Geelong Amateur vs Drysdale, 1pm
C Grade: Ocean Grove vs Torquay, 11.50am
D Grade: Barwon Heads vs Torquay, 10.40am
E Grade: Geelong Amateur vs Ocean Grove, 2.05pm
19 & Under: Drysdale vs Portarlington, 10.40am
17 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove vs Geelong Amateur, 9.35am
17 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove vs Geelong Amateur, 1pm
15 & Under Division 1: Geelong Amateur vs Torquay, 11.50am
15 & Under Division 2: Torquay vs Drysdale, 8.30am
13 & Under Division 1: Torquay vs Geelong Amateur, 9.35am
13 & Under Division 2: Geelong Amateur vs Ocean Grove, 8.30am
FIRST SEMI-FINALS
Portarlington, Sunday August 31
A Grade: Queenscliff vs Torquay, 2.30pm
B Grade: Ocean Grove vs Anglesea, 1pm
C Grade: Portarlington vs Barwon Heads, 11.50am
D Grade: Geelong Amateur vs Ocean Grove, 10.40am
E Grade: Barwon Heads vs Torquay, 2.05pm
19 & Under: Geelong Amateur vs Torquay, 10.40am
17 & Under Division 1: Torquay vs Anglesea, 9.35am
17 & Under Division 2: Torquay vs Drysdale, 1pm
15 & Under Division 1: Queenscliff vs Portarlington, 11.50am
15 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove vs Barwon Heads, 8.30am
13 & Under Division 1: Drysdale vs Ocean Grove, 9.35am
13 & Under Division 2: Torquay vs Drysdale, 8.30am
QUALIFYING FINALS
Saturday August 23
A Grade: Ocean Grove 54 def Queenscliff 45. Best: Ocean Grove – Zanna Woods, Georgia Ryan, Emma Jones. Queenscliff – Ebony Rolph, Phoebe Knox, Keely Kinsey.
B Grade: Drysdale 42 def Ocean Grove 29. Best: Drysdale – Jess Maddock, Aleisha Walters, Isla Cuddy.
C Grade: Torquay 40 def Portarlington 21. Best: Torquay – Ashlee Job, Emma Corry, Sarah Ferguson.
D Grade: Torquay 27 def Geelong Amateur 25. Best: Torquay – Sophie Delahoy, Kelsey Dunlop, Jordyn Brown. Geelong Amateur – Kate Fagan, Kellie Gibbons.
E Grade: Ocean Grove 26 def Barwon Heads 20. Best: Ocean Grove – Emma Barry, Anabelle Sargeant, Mia Haritos. Barwon Heads – Edie Kerr, Kansas Graham, Kasey McKay.
19 & Under: Portarlington 35 def Geelong Amateur 32. Best: Geelong Amateur – Louise Shaw, Sophie Muhor, Georgia Howell.
17 & Under Division 1: Geelong Amateur 37 def Torquay 28. Best: Geelong Amateur – Chloe Aspinall, Scarlett Clarke, Loni Williams.
17 & Under Division 2: Geelong Amateur 27 def Torquay 15. Best: Geelong Amateur – Emma Redfern, Isla Rookes, Evie Dawson.
15 & Under Division 1: Torquay 27 def Queenscliff 14. Best: Torquay – Isla Webber, Sienna Mcginness, Isabella Hall. Queenscliff – Emily Speirs, Milla Saltalamacchia, Elise Newey.
15 & Under Division 2: Drysdale 25 def Ocean Grove 21. Best: Drysdale – Ella Samuelson, Heidi Connor, Sophie Harrop.
13 & Under Division 1: Geelong Amateur 33 def Drysdale 16. Best: Geelong Amateur – Charlotte Mooney, Lily Peters, Holly Brussow. Drysdale – Aislin Hovey, Aaliyah Markham, Courtney Carter.
13 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove 17 def Torquay 11. Best: Ocean Grove – Sophie Smith, Lucy Polgar, Neve Lindsay. Torquay – Violet Smith, Ember Costin, Edie Cooper.
ELIMINATION FINALS
Sunday August 24
A Grade: Torquay 48 def Newcomb 34.
B Grade: Anglesea 50 def Modewarre 34. Best: Modewarre – Annabelle Fitzgerald, Emma Finch, Katrina Fitzgerald.
C Grade: Barwon Heads 34 def Geelong Amateur 22. Best: Geelong Amateur – Rhiana Broadbent, Pippa Bullen, Sophie Nicholson.
D Grade: Ocean Grove 26 def Queenscliff 25. Best: Ocean Grove – Lily Davis, Caitlin Barbante, Tarryn Stanley. Queenscliff – Em Zammit, Isabelle Kidd, Laura Clarke.
E Grade: Torquay 27 def Modewarre 22.
19 & Under: Torquay 46 def Queenscliff 44. Best: Torquay – Mia Murphy, Abbey Ohanlon, Bella O’Dwyer. Queenscliff – Lucy Mawson, Molly Tyrrell, Olivia Remilton.
17 & Under Division 1: Anglesea 25 def Portarlington 14.
17 & Under Division 2: Drysdale 24 def Portarlington 16.
15 & Under Division 1: Portarlington 33 def Modewarre 18. Best: Portarlington – Teyana Ihimaera-Smiler, Ruby Eslick, Lilli McDonald. Modewarre – Cleo Roberts, Zoe Toull, Lily Drayton.
15 & Under Division 2: Barwon Heads 34 def Geelong Amateur 16. Best: Geelong Amateur – Breanna Lamb, Abigail Smith, Savannah Serra.
13 & Under Division 1: Ocean Grove 20 def Barwon Heads 17. Best: Barwon Heads – Sascha Gordon, Elsie Orgill, Sasha Halliburton.
13 & Under Division 2: Drysdale 24 def Newcomb 15. Best: Drysdale – Layla Creece, Indiannah Brown, Eva Fernandes. Newcomb – Issabella Marendaz, Zeta James, Lola-May McCallum Saxon.
