Sport
21 August, 2023
Finals set for MCDFNL A grade netballers
The final round of the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League (MCDFNL) A grade netball season was played on Saturday, with a late Navarre charge rewarded with the last spot in the top eight at Harcourt’s expense. All quarter by...
The final round of the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League (MCDFNL) A grade netball season was played on Saturday, with a late Navarre charge rewarded with the last spot in the top eight at Harcourt’s expense.
All quarter by quarter scores and major goalscorers were not available by print deadline.
Carisbrook 41 def Dunolly 23
Carisbrook completed an undefeated home and away season by defeating Dunolly by 18 goals at Carisbrook Recreation Reserve.
The result means the Redbacks also claim the minor premiership, and will open the finals with a meeting with Lexton.
For the Eagles, they were impressive in keeping the Redbacks to 41 goals for the afternoon, which was their third-lowest return of the year, but the Redbacks’ defence held firm throughout, showing why they continue to be the best defensive unit in the competition, conceding 23 goals for the afternoon.
Harcourt 18 def by Natte Bealiba 61
Natte Bealiba join Brook in the top two, taking care of Harcourt with a strong 43-goal victory.
The Swans were never really challenged throughout the bulk of the afternoon, and they warmed up for a meeting with Avoca in the first week of the finals.
For Harcourt, however, three losses in the final three games of the season mean that they fall out of the finals on the final day of the season, with Navarre taking the final spot in the top eight courtesy of a 10-goal victory over Newstead.
Navarre 46 def Newstead 36
The Hoppers were able to take enough control to make things comfortable, and they were able to ensure that they set up a meeting with Trentham in a cut-throat elimination final.
Campbells Creek 33 def by Trentham 48
The Saints will come into their finals encounter having won their past five games, including their 15-goal victory over Campbells Creek on Saturday.
That result means that Creek will also claim the wooden spoon, having lost 15 consecutive games after claiming victory in round one.
Lexton 45 def by Avoca 59
Avoca warmed up for their week one meeting with Natte Bealiba by defeating Lexton by 14 goals in a preview of things to come in the finals.
Both teams competed hard throughout the day, as evidenced by the high-scoring nature of the game.
Lexton had already booked their top four spot prior to the game, and were already locked into a meeting with the minor premier, with their game now confirmed against Carisbrook.
Maryborough Rovers 49 def Maldon 44
On an emotional day for the club, Maryborough Rovers booked their spot in the finals thanks to a five-goal victory over Maldon, a result which now locks them into sixth position, jumping Dunolly.
Despite Maldon finishing in 11th place, they have certainly proved to be a handful for many teams throughout the back end of the season, and that was the case for Rovers, who still managed to hold on to secure their finals berth in their final season in the competition.
Royal Park 45 def Talbot 17 Royal Park have finished their tenure as an MCDFNL club, with the emotions running high after taking a 28-goal victory over Talbot.
The Tigers got the jump on the Hawks early and never let up throughout the afternoon, and were able to celebrate long into the night as their tenure was finished with a 10th place finish.
It means that the focus now shifts into the finals, with rematches of the 2022 preliminary finals set to showcase week one, with Carisbrook and Lexton to meet at Camp Reserve, while Natte Bealiba and Avoca will meet at Newstead, with the winner of those two games getting the all-important week off.
Trentham and Navarre will meet in the first elimination final at Camp Reserve on Sunday, while Rovers and Dunolly will do battle at Newstead.