Road to grand final becomes a reality

The road to the grand final continued at Catani on Saturday, with six second semi finals played in ideal conditions for netball.
Despite overcast skies, there was no wind to contend with, allowing for some great netball in front of a large and vocal finals crowd.
With a direct passage to the grand final awaiting the winner of each match, the stakes were high. For the losing sides, the double chance means their season remains alive, with a preliminary final this weekend providing one last opportunity to earn their place in the big dance.
A grade: Neerim South 50 defeated Ellinbank 32
Reigning premiers Neerim South booked their place in another grand final with a comprehensive 18-goal win over Ellinbank, extending an extraordinary unbeaten run that now stretches back to the 2024 grand final.
The contest opened with plenty of intensity and strong defensive pressure from both sides. Neerim South's circle defence created early opportunities and the Cats capitalised, stringing together six consecutive goals on their way to a 13-7 quarter-time lead.
Ellinbank responded strongly in the second, increasing their pressure across the court and disrupting Neerim South's normally settled structure. The Eagles matched the Cats both with 10 goals for the quarter.
Ellinbank came out firing after half time, briefly cutting the margin to just three as every possession became fiercely contested. Neerim South steadied under pressure, however, rebuilding their advantage to lead by seven at three-quarter time and setting up an intriguing final term.
The Cats then showed exactly why they remain the competition's benchmark. A decisive run early in the fourth pushed the margin into double figures, and from there Neerim South took control, producing their highest-scoring quarter of the match with 17 goals to six to win comfortably.
Best on court: Neerim South goal attack Kimberley Edwards.
B grade: Ellinbank 47 def Bunyip 34
Minor and reigning premiers Ellinbank continued their strong season with a 47-34 win over Bunyip to secure their place in the grand final.
The opening minutes were fiercely contested, with both teams going goal for goal and applying pressure across the court. Ellinbank eventually created the first break and finished the quarter strongly to lead 16-10.
Bunyip continued to fight hard in the second term, but Ellinbank's defensive pressure made clean possession difficult and the Eagles stretched their advantage out to nine goals by half time. The Bulldogs refused to go away after the long break and continued to compete strongly, particularly in the defensive circle.
Bunyip produced their best scoring quarter in the last with 10 goals, but the Eagles had already established the decisive advantage to take the win and a direct passage to grand final day.
Best on court: Ellinbank vice captain and centre Cassandra Charles for an influential four-quarter performance.
C grade: Lang Lang 36 defeated Ellinbank 32
The opening quarter set the tone for the C grade game between Lang Lang and Ellinbank, with both sides applying strong defensive pressure with neither able to establish a decisive break. Ellinbank repeatedly pushed ahead, only for the Tigers to respond.
Lang Lang made their move in the second quarter, levelling the scores and capitalising on a turnover to take the lead going into half time one goal ahead, 19-18.
Both teams made changes through the third term in an effort to gain control, with the Tigers extending the margin slightly to lead 27-25 at the final change.
Ellinbank struck first in the last quarter, but Lang Lang answered with composed connections in attack and maintained control in a high-quality finish. The Tigers prevailed 36-32 to earn their grand final berth, while last year's premiers will head to the preliminary final.
Best on court: Ellinbank centre Kristi Brinksma was named best on court after an outstanding performance through the middle.
17 and under: Catani 40 def Yarragon 38
Catani came out with tremendous intensity to start the 17s match, combining team defence with confident attacking play to establish a 14-9 quarter-time lead against minor premiers Yarragon.
The Panthers responded in the second term and continued to apply pressure, but Catani maintained their composure and took a 23-19 advantage into the main break.
Yarragon lifted again after half time and closed the margin, but Catani continued to answer every challenge. The Blues held a narrow two goal lead at three-quarter time, setting up a huge final quarter between two sides that had been separated by just one goal in round two before drawing in round 16.
Yarragon threw everything at Catani in the last, but the Blues refused to surrender their advantage. In a gripping finish, Catani held on by two goals.
Best on court: Catani centre Miley for a brilliant performance in the middle.
15 and under: Poowong 25 defeated Buln Buln 22
Poowong booked their place in the grand final after holding off a determined Buln Buln side.
The Lyrebirds started strongly and led 7-5 at quarter time, with their defensive pressure making Poowong work for every possession. The Pies responded in the second term, settling into the contest and turning the two-goal deficit into an 11-9 half-time lead.
The pressure lifted again after the main break. Buln Buln scored the opening three goals of the third quarter and the match became a genuine arm wrestle, with neither side prepared to give an inch. With the game on the line, the minor premiers showed their composure.
Poowong produced an eight-goal final quarter to Buln Buln's six, finishing three goals clear and earning direct passage through to the grand final.
Best on court: Poowong centre Mia after an outstanding four-quarter performance.
13 and under: Buln Buln 37 defeated Yarragon 25
The 13s opened the days action, with undefeated Buln Buln taking on Yarragon for the first place in the 2026 grand final.
The Lyrebirds made the stronger start, with their defensive pressure and ability to rebound the ball helping them establish a 9–5 quarter-time lead.
The contest was played with plenty of intensity, with Yarragon working hard to challenge the competition leaders. Buln Buln's ability to stay composed, apply pressure across the court and make the most of their opportunities ultimately allowed them to build the decisive advantage.
The Lyrebirds finished the match strongly to secure the 12-goal victory, 37-25 and direct passage through to the grand final.
Best on court: Buln Buln centre Macy for an excellent performance through the midcourt.