Round 17 wrap up
What a weekend this was. Some great results in Netball & Football over Thomson, with a huge crowd of Past Players there to see it.
We start with our Reserves. It was a different team that took the field at Vic Park. Eager to even the ledger after a 3 point loss to Thomson at Thomson in the early rounds, the lads were ready to fire, and fire they did. They set the tone for the match, with physicality, speed and skill. Dominating early, the lads had a 7 goal to 2 goal lead at the half. Piling on another 4 goals, Thomson could only manager 2 goals, setting up an emphatic win by 44 points, firmly securing a top 3 finish and giving them a second chance in the finals.
Our Seniors, with a close win over Thomson, new they had to play their exciting style of football and that they did. They returned the 1st quarter favour that Thomson gave to us, kicking 7 goals to 1. They then continue to pile more goals leading by 14 goals at 3 qtr time. A small slip in the last allowed Thomson to kick 7 goals to our 4, but the damage was done. Our lads securing a 79 point victory. A win against Nth Geelong, will secure 3rd spot, whilst a loss may have them slipping to 5th. A double chance on the line this week.
In netball D Grade had a rough game of it against Thomson. It more resembled a football game at times by all accounts. The ladies threw everything they had at Thomson, falling short by 7 goals. A win other North next week will likely secure a finals birth. C Grade had a fantastic win over Thomson. Some great movement and play, they took it away from Thomson and never looked back. This win secured a finals birth, even with a loss against the 2nd placed Nth, they cannot miss out. Our B Graders had a tough game, but through everything they had at them. They went down valiantly losing by 14 goals. A Grade had a fantastic game. Down as many as 7, the ladies fought their way back into the lead by 2 with only a couple of minutes to go. With the final siren going, Bannockburn had knocked off Thomson who sit 3rd by 1 goal securing a finals birth.
There were no junior games played this weekend due to the season finishing the week prior and unfortunately no junior teams apart from our U15 girls making the finals.
Our U18’s had a scheduled bye, and they will take the field against Queenscliff in their last match of the round in front of the Reserves and Seniors at North Geelong. Our U15 girls had a bye as they won their final to secure a Grand Final spot this Sunday.
Our new Footy Fundamentals team played at halftime of the seniors. These kids are our future Tigers, ready for Under 9’s next year. Amazing to see the development in their skills in just the 3 weeks they have been going for.
This leads us into Junior Netball. It has been a pretty good season for our U19’s. This win was more special as they bet the 4th place Thomson and secured a finals berth. Playing with gusto, the girls skipped away for a 16 goal win over the fancied Thomson team. Our U17’s had a bye this weekend, but still sit top of the table. Our U15’s had a solid win over Thomson. They were too strong all over the court winning by 38 and securing 2nd spot and finals. Our U13 GDFL side, also made light work of Thomson, winning by 34 goals. With a win over Nth next week, that will secure top spot, with finals locked in. A close game for our U13 Black team. Having the lead in the last by 3, the ladies couldn’t hold eventually losing by 1 goal in the Elimination final. A gutting wrenching loss, but a massive congrats to the ladies for making that far. Our U13 gold had a tough game as well in their Qualifying final against South Torquay. This game could have gone either way, but our girls held on strong to win by 2 and secured a Grand Final birth next week. They eagerly await the results of the Prelim final. Our U11 Tigers came up against a determined and strong St Joseph’s gold. Nothing the girls could do to wipe away the deficit, eventually losing by 9 goals. U11’s Black played against Inverleigh and had a tough game. Playing well, they eventually came away victors, winning by 2 goals.
Great to see so many past players attend Saturdays round. Plenty of story telling and a couple of quiet beers had against them. Thanks to our Past Players committee for putting on a great day.
This coming week is our last round of the home and away season. Hard to believe this is the first time we’ve played a full season since 2019. We head to North Geelong this week, with plenty to play for. Second chances and finals spots are on the line.
