Will Cats or Eagles win A grade cup?

by Angela Banbury
In the first season of the amalgamated Ellinbank and District Football Netball League, reigning premiers and champions Neerim South take on the ever-consistent Ellinbank in the A grade grand final.
Neerim South will go into the match as raging favourites, having not lost a game since the "COVID half season" of 2021.
Ellinbank have an extremely enviable finals record, having won a threepeat of premierships in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and having been in at least a preliminary final since. However, they will be underdogs come this Saturday at Yarragon.
Ellinbank were surprise winners in the preliminary final, defeating the more fancied Nilma Darnum, but will be up against a rested Neerim South who have the wood over them. In their two meetings this season, the Cats have disposed of the Eagles comfortably, 31 goals in round five and 22 goals in round 17.
Neerim South took the shortest way possible to the big dance, defeating Nilma Darnum in the second semi final in their closest margin all year - winning by just three goals. It was presumed this would replay itself come grand final day, but Ellinbank had other ideas.
Despite being down with five minutes to go, Ellinbank turned to its talented youth and a wily campaigner, holding their nerve to win their way through to the grand final and the opportunity to take on Neerim South for the 2023 flag.
On the court, there are going to be some match ups that are definitely worth the admission price. If Jane Bunn has the predictions right, the game will be played in hot conditions and be hot in the contest.
Starting in the midcourt, Neerim's Tarli Hillberg and Ellinbank's Alana Rippon will give their teams every opportunity with the ball.
They both have very agile wing attacks in the Cats' Mia McGarrity and Ellinbank's coach co-coach and captain Taylah Wallace.
The speed of Ellinbank through the midcourt will be hard to handle, but Neerim's full-team defence will make it tough to feed the goalers.
The wing defences of both teams will have their hands full, Neerim's Hayley Stringer versus Wallace and Leah Liddell from Ellinbank against McGarrity. If either of these can get the upper hand, it will provide their team a great advantage in the contest.
Its obvious games are won and lost in the goal ring, and both ends are going to be fiercely contested, making it hard to score. Yet, when the pressure is on, diamonds are made and goalers can be everyone's best friend.
Ellinbank are blessed with experience and youth with Abbey Bowman, Ebony Harper, Chloe Johnstone and Reagan Joyce all taking turns in the goal circle. Wallace, as wing attck, has a plethora to chose from and can change things depending on match ups and game scenarios.
The defence duo of Christie Urie and Paris Smith will have their work cut out for them against the different dynamics Ellinbank can put on the court. However, they have been the best unit for the year with the least amount of goals scored against them.
At the other end in Neerim's goal ring, Kim Edwards and Emma Wood have combined extremely well all season, despite it being their first year playing together. You wouldn't know it with the amount of goals shot and the connection they have. They can both change things up with their unique game style, making it difficult for defenders to read.
Ellinbank, however, have complete trust in their defenders, with co-coach and captain Rhiannon Haines leading the team. Combining with ever reliable Emma Robertson - or if home grown favourite Sam Walker takes the court - Edwards and Wood will know they in for a tough 60 minutes of netball.
Based on previous results, you'd expect Neerim to do this in a canter. However, with the predicted heat and Neerim used to only using seven players, the super fit Ellinbank will be ready to take their chances.
Experience in finals is priceless and Ellinbank have plenty of this and will use it when the game is up for grabs.
Whatever the outcome at around 4pm on Saturday, they victor will know they've earned every part of the premiership cup they will raise.
Player profiles:
Neerim South:
Christie Urie (defence): Coach and leader of this team. Role model at the club. What can't you say about Christie, league best and fairest who never shirks a contest. Will make it tough for any goaler she's up against.
Hayley Stringer (midcourt): Captain of this team who never gives up and will give her all for her club. Transitioned into more of a wing defence this season, but still has the mindset of an attacking player.
Bridget Halligan (midcourt/defence): Played mostly in B grade this year and will be ready go should she be called upon to take the court. Versatile player who can play midcourt or defence.
Emma Wood (goals): New to the club this year with a basketball background. Combines well with Kim and can interchange between goaling positions. The unknown of her style of play will be to her advantage.
Kim Edwards (goals): A steady and reliable goaler for Neerim. Can be unpredictable with her change in play, but always reliable and accurate under the post.
Mia Chandler (midcourt): Another young player who will come off the bench if needed. Tenacious midcourter who has played mostly B grade this year, but has experience beyond her years.
Mia McGarrity (midcourt): Returned to the club this year and has slotted in nicely to this A grade team. Has speed to burn and a deadly pass to her goalers. Will influence the attack end of the court.
Paris Smith (defence): Strong and reliable goal keeper who has stepped up and found her natural ability under the guidance of Christie. Confuses the goalers space well and will make it hard for any goaler with her reach.
Tarli Hillberg (midcourt): Starts the Cat's play from the centre and has an innate ability to read the play. Defensive pressure is amazing and controls the game from the midcourt. Is the link between the sisters - Christie and Kim - and gives Neerim plenty of opportunity either in attack or defence.
Ellinbank:
Rhiannon Haines (defence): Co-coach and co-captain for 2023, she is a consistent and competitive defender. Rejoining the club after a four year spell, she has provided the A grade team with a spark to take their game to another level in her always polished performance on the court.
Taylah Wallace (midcourt): Co-coach and co-captain and heart and soul of the A grade team for Ellinbank. Is fleet of foot with uncanny speed and agility to cut through any defence and find herself on the circle edge. Provides the ball on a platter to the goalers and does it for the full 60 minutes.
Abbey Bowman (goals): Has played more than 10 years of senior netball at Ellinbank. Is an experienced, strong and passionate goaler who is accurate and reliable in the goal circle.
Alana Rippon (midcourt): A workhorse through the midcourt who has the tank to run for days as well as blistering speed across the court. Consistent and makes every ball and opportunity count. She does all the one percenters for her teammates.
Chloe Johnstone (goals): At just 16-years-old, she is cool, calm and collected, beyond her years. She is an accurate, agile and tall target in goals but versatile in her position and can swing both ends if required.
Ebony Harper (goals): A hard-working goal attack who creates plays with her speed, agility and sharp angels. Can be relied upon by her teammates in the goal ring, especially from distance and when the stakes are high.
Emma Robertson (defence): Reliable and consistent defender always ready to make a difference on the court. Provides spark and voice when the going gets tough. Has a strong work ethic and always puts in a four-quarter effort.
Leah Liddell (midcourt): An experienced defender new to the club this year. Has great physical presence on the court and is not afraid to make it know to her opponent. Has deceiving hands and closing speed.
Reagan Joyce (goals): Another youngster from Ellinbank who is an enigmatic goaler. A fierce competitor who loves the challenge of a physical match despite her age. Her strong drives to the posts and ability to change the run of play are an asset to her team.
Sam Walker (defence): An experienced defender who reads the play like a book and makes life difficult for the goalers in her way. Has found her way back to the club this year and will command the goal ring, creating headaches for any goaler.