The Geelong & District Netball League A Grade finals began with a bang with two close games greeting fans at St Albans Reserve.
Inverleigh ended East Geelong’s season with a two-goal thriller on Sunday with both defences on top throughout the game.
Inverleigh’s Teagan Madden and East’s Stephanie Boyce gave their opposition goalers some headaches with superb defence and rebounding attack.
Cassidy Nelson was able to break free at stages for the Hawks with 18 goals, but with 15 misses, will be out to rectify her goalscoring percentage in the first semi-final this weekend. Still, Nelson presented time and again and was able to see plenty of the ball.
The Hawks won 31 to 29 to progress to Sunday’s first semi against Winchelsea, which had a close tussle with Belmont Lions in the qualifying final.
The Lions won by four goals, 45 to 41, after being one ahead at the last break. They will now meet Thomson to see who is the first side to get to this year’s grand final.
Ella Wasik was on target for Belmont, shooting 29 goals from 34 attempts while Zoe Tennant was great in defence for Winch, which now plays Inverleigh in a sudden death final.
SECOND SEMI-FINALS
Saturday September 6, St Albans Reserve
A Grade: Thomson vs Belmont Lions, 1.45pm
B Grade: East Geelong vs Thomson, 12.30pm
C Grade: East Geelong vs Inverleigh, 11.30am
D Grade: Inverleigh vs East Geelong, 10.30am
E Grade: East Geelong vs North Geelong, 12.30pm
FIRST SEMI-FINALS
Sunday September 7, St Albans Reserve
A Grade: Winchelsea vs Inverleigh, 1.45pm
B Grade: Inverleigh vs North Geelong, 12.30pm
C Grade: North Geelong vs Thomson, 11.30am
D Grade: Belmont Lions vs Bannockburn, 10.30am
E Grade: Belmont Lions vs Inverleigh, 12.30pm
