Anxious wait for netballers as Nyora face heartbreak

Local netballers face a frustrating wait to learn if finals will proceed and, if so, in what form.

For Nyora, whose A grade side had qualified for its first finals series in 28 years, the wait has been especially hard.

EDNA

EDNA clubs met on Monday night to discuss options, but no official decision has been announced. 

It is understood the netball association could opt to take a different path to the football and options put forward were a top two final or abandonment.

Two of the 11 clubs - Catani and Lang Lang – are in metropolitan lockdown.  The league also stated 20 per cent of its players, coaches and team managers across 10 clubs were impacted by metropolitan restrictions.

Nyora’s A grade finished the 10-game season in fourth spot but may have to wait a further year to achieve its finals dream.

Club spokesperson Jassy Batrouney admits “chances are pretty slim” of the Saints playing finals this year.

“It’s definitely not looking good,” she said.  “Just waiting for the bad news to come has been hard.  I think it’s just because there is that unknown.”

“It’s obviously pretty heartbreaking and really hard for us.  We’re taking every day as it comes.  It’s hard, definitely hard.”

Catani, with five of its six sides in the top five – including two junior teams in the top two, cannot play or train due to its Cardinia Shire location.

The club advised 22 of its 28 junior netballers reside in the metropolitan region and 19 of its 28 senior netballers.

Lang Lang, also in Cardinia Shire, has two of its senior teams in the top five.

Mid Gippsland

The final round of netball will be played on Saturday but it’s unlikely a top six finals series will follow immediately after as scheduled.

Fish Creek, currently fifth on the A grade ladder, was forced to forfeit its game last weekend with 75 per cent of its team being locals now based in Melbourne.

Vice president (netball) Jenni Blackshaw said the affiliated league would meet with clubs early next week to discuss its finals roadmap. 

“Finals won’t be next week at this point.  But as to what it’s going to look like, who knows yet.”

Jenni said the focus was on each team playing each other once in the home and away season.

“At the conclusion of the home and away season, we will re-visit with all of the clubs and discuss different options for finals scenarios.”

“If they agree to wait for Melbourne-based players, we need to wait”

The grand final was scheduled on September 18 but could be pushed back to the AFL grand final public holiday on Friday, September 24 or the absolute final option of Saturday, October 2.

Under its roadmap, contingencies are in place if a top six finals structure cannot be played.  Options include a modified top six, top four, cutthroat top four or top two.

Gippsland League

Junior netball resumed on the weekend and will play its final round this weekend.  However, a decision on senior play is yet to be made.

Warragul is third and Drouin fifth in A grade, with Warragul also having its B and C grades in the top five.

WGFNC

Having not played since July 10 and with half of its clubs in lockdown, West Gippsland’s netball competition is on shaky ground.

Clubs have voted to enter straight into finals when possible.  It currently has a top five structure.

Bunyip has its four senior netball teams in the top five and Warragul Industrials has three netball sides in finals contention.