GIPPSLAND League Grand Final Day had the best possible start for Leongatha with two netball wins, in the Under 13s and 17s, both after thrilling contests and the Leongatha Reserves making a great start in the Reserves Grand Final.
The Under 13s had a big win over Maffra in the Second Semi-final but they didn’t have it all their own way in an up and down grand final.
Ultimately though, they broke away at the end to win by five Leongatha 28 Maffra 23.
Leongatha started awesomely well in the Under 17s to hit the first six goals of the game and it might just have made the difference in the end with Traralgon matching the Parrots from that stage onwards. Leongatha was in great shape though, leading 11-4 at quarter time.
In the second quarter Leongatha forced a few turnovers through the middle to get it out to 14-6 but the Maroons weren’t done with and strung a run of goals together to cut the lead to six.
Sari Hickey and Gemma Meadley were tight to the Traralgon goalers keeping them away from the ring or pressuring their shots.
Tyla Peters WD was getting a hand in and in transition and on the offensive end WA McKenna Anderson and centre Lara Gill the league medal winner were moving the ball with precision and positioning.
Leongatha’s goalers GS Audrey McGannon and GA Lucy Heber were hitting their shots but Traralgon’s defensive game was clicking into action and key defenders Indy de Dios and Quinn Adams seized on anything loose as they came back to be six down at half time. Leongatha 18-12.
The wind was up and goaling became more difficult. There was a bit of loose ball through the centre too and players from both sides had to hustle to track it down.
Leongatha missed a shot and Traralgon’s Hannah Smith hit one from medium range at the other end. They had the next centre pass and the difference was down to three quick as a flash.
The midcourt became more congested and both sides worked hard in and out to get the ball forward.
After a series of attempted entries where the three-second rule was tested Lucy Heber dropped a crucial goal from mid range to restore a four goal lead but it was goal for goal in a classy contest that defied the gusting wind.
Near the end of the term Leongatha lost the ball but forced an error at the Traralgon end and Audrey McGannon popped through a clutch goal.
Players on both sides were on the move with no pass safe. Sari Hickey blocked a pass in defence but Traralgon persevered and closed to one goal the difference in the shadows of three quarter time.
A late goal by Leongatha and there was just two goals in it in a cracking game mindful that these two had a 34-33 result in the second semi.
Three quarter time scores Leongatha 23 Traralgon 21.
The Parrots swung a few changes at 3/4 time with Lara Gill into centre and Tyler Peters into keeper.
Tyler forced a changeover in the midcourt and Leongatha grabbed a four goal lead then five.
The Leongatha defenders didn’t give up even when a goal looked certain and forced three interceptions in consecutive Traralgon attacks. With great positioning under the ring Audrey McGannon kept it alive for the Parrots but the wind was playing havoc with shots.
Great team work by the midcourt players and goalers got the ball to Audrey and she hit an important goal to get it to five again.
But a lost ball at the Leongatha end allowed a three-goal turnaround and the Maroons cut it to two again with a big, vocal maroon and white crowd behind them on the sidelines.
But just when it looked like Traralgon might cut it to one Gemma Meadley snatched a huge contested ball under the Traralgon ring and it was game over with seconds left.
Final score Leongatha 30 to Traralgon 28.