Geelong Amateur stormed into the Bellarine Netball League A Grade grand final, aided by a starring performance from goal shooter Kim Hammond.
Ocean Grove had no answers for Hammond, who only just resumed playing after a lengthy stint on the sidelines with an injured knee.
Ammos proved too good, pulling away late to win 49 to 42 in a gripping second semi-final at Portarlington on Saturday. After winning its first 16 games of the season, Ocean Grove has now lost to Amateur twice inside a month.
Hammond’s entry to the game at quarter time changed the dynamic. Ocean Grove started the better of the two sides and led by six at the break. Hammond shot 38 goals from 44 attempts in three quarters and showed no signs of the knee injury that has bothered her all season.
Coach Kaitlyn Sheringham, who played a starring role herself at wing attack, chose to start with Kayla Donnellon at goal shooter.
“Kayla’s been doing such an amazing job this whole year, so she has probably carried us a little bit through the year and has been playing beautifully,” she said.
“And she did as well (on Saturday) – her movement in that goal circle on the two talls. We wanted to try something different and see what could open up and it did.
“We’ve just been working her (Hammond) into matches and she came on and had a stellar performance. We were all very happy for her and I think she was happy within herself as well, which was great to see.”
Ammos get another week off while they wait for the winner of the prelim and Sheringham said it was a reward for hard work.
“We always say it every year that it goes super fast, but we’re back in there, which is great,” she said.
“It’s just a really special achievement from the girls. So I’m really happy for them.”
Ammos are also in the B Grade grand final, and have a deep squad in which every player knows their role.
“It’s just a special group to be a part of and that was built from when Riley (Richardson) was there and then when Mel (Savage) was there and it’s just continued through,” Sheringham said.
Ocean Grove must defeat Torquay in the preliminary final to have any chance of going for a historic three-peat.
“I guess now we know who we’re playing and we have to move on pretty quickly,” Ocean Grove coach Mel Holmes said.
“We’ll train according to who we’re playing and what we need to do. We’ll go back to that. Keeping it simple.
“It was actually our errors that were costly. We made too many unforced errors, and that was from the pressure they (Geelong Amateur) created. We know we’ve got work to do this week, we’re still trying to be positive.”
Holmes said her battle-hardened team would relish the chance to play in another big final, but also said Torquay would be tough opponents.
“We live another day to go out and just have a crack at it,” she said.
“They do know how to play on the big stages. Torquay are a good side and will be tough to play against.”
TORQUAY hung on in a nailbiter against Queenscliff by one goal.
Goaler Daisy O’Kane looms as a key component in the Tigers’ quest for a grand final berth. O’Kane scored 38 goals and will be another tough match-up this week for Grove’s Georgia Berry or Amanda O’Malley.
Queenscliff lost no admirers with stars Kaitlin Gladman and Phoebe Knox missing through injury. To be one goal away from a preliminary final is testament to the belief at the Couta Bowl.
PRELIMINARY FINALS
Grinter Reserve, Newcomb
Saturday September 6
A Grade: Ocean Grove vs Torquay, 2.30pm
B Grade: Drysdale vs Anglesea, 1pm
C Grade: Ocean Grove vs Barwon Heads, 11.50am
D Grade: Torquay vs Geelong Amateur, 10.40am
E Grade: Ocean Grove vs Barwon Heads, 2.05pm
19 & Under: Portarlington vs Geelong Amateur, 10.40am
17 & Under Division 1: Geelong Amateur vs Torquay, 9.35am
17 & Under Division 2: Ocean Grove vs Torquay, 1pm
15 & Under Division 1: Torquay vs Portarlington, 11.50am
15 & Under Division 2: Drysdale vs Ocean Grove, 8.30am
13 & Under Division 1: Geelong Amateur vs Ocean Grove, 9.35am
13 & Under Division 2: Geelong Amateur vs Torquay, 8.30am
