Moyhu a slim chance, Dees eager for crack at premiers

Minor premiers Milawa face reigning A grade premiers Bonnie Doon in what could be a grand final preview in their last match before finals. They only met for the first time in 2025 back in round 15, in a match which saw the Demons slaughter the Bombers by 30 goals. Milawa coach Kerrie Gray said her side’s consistency and willingness to work for each other was part of the reason behind their dominant campaign. “I feel like there’s a lot more determination, we’re playing a lot more consistent netball this season, and I’ve been really impressed with our connection as a group, playing for each other,” she said. “There’s lots of talented netballers in our team, but I don’t think I’ve seen us play as cohesively as what we are this season. “I just think we need to be switched on across the board. “There are times when our defence end is a little off and our goalers hold us up, but if our goalers are having a rough day the defenders need to stand up for them as well. “We’ve done that well, it’s one of the things we’ve done really well throughout the year, we’ve looked out for each other.” Looking back, it’s been a cracking home and away season in the top flight of O&K netball, with upsets, close calls and more drawn matches in a season than many can remember. “Across the board, we’ve played a lot of good netball as a league in A grade, so many sides are just so competitive, I think it’s been good for everyone,” Gray said. “Just playing consistently, turning up week in and week out, knowing you might not be playing a top six contender but they’re certainly going to give you a run for your money.” With the reigning premiers eager to make up for their thumping earlier in the season, Gray expected staunch opposition from the Bombers from the first whistle. “They certainly had a couple of players away when we played them last time,” she said. “We’re not going to sugarcoat anything, they’ve got some ripper kids coming through their midcourt, Amy Starzer is returning to the court and she brings a heap of experience and composure. “They’ve got such good depth across the board, they’ve got a really fast-running midcourt, they’ve got a really tall defensive end, and they’ve got experience at goals. “They’ll certainly be up and about this week, it should be a good match.” Elsewhere, “it’s still mathematically possible,” is the last grasp for fans to spruik their teams’ chances to make the finals, no matter how difficult the journey appears on paper - in terms of Moyhu’s odds of making the A grade grand finals, it’s still mathematically possible, but it would require a gargantuan effort. The Hoppers sit two points outside the six, but while it’s not inconceivable they make finals, a lot will have to fall their way. Moyhu will need to defeat Whorouly, in turn denying the Lions a top two finish and second chance in finals, and will need Bright to lose to King Valley – do this, and the Hoppers are playing finals. Other round 20 matches see Greta at home to Benalla, North Wangaratta away against Goorambat, and the Roos taking on Bright at Whitfield.

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