By Sophie Taylor
An enormous week of National Netball Championships is done and dusted, with over 70 matches played at Melbourne’s State Netball Centre over the past seven days.
The tournament showcased the best young talent in the country, and provided a vital high performance pathway for the progression of players, coaches, umpires and bench officials.
We run through the highlights.
NSW-SOUTH AUSTRALIA THREEPEATS
NSW and South Australia went head-to-head in both division grand finals in an astounding showing of state talent.
The 17/U grand final went down to the last seconds with South Australia claiming a massive 42-41victory to go back-to-back-to-back.
The two sides were neck and neck for the entire match, but South Australia weathered the storm to claim the title.
SA goal attack Elise Flood claimed the grand final MVP award with 24 goals to her name.
She teamed up effortlessly on the transverse line with captain Tayla McCarthy and in the circle with goal shooter Mischa Human to evade NSW’s defensive efforts.
Eva Carneiro stood strong in defence for NSW, plucking off crucial turnover ball in the final quarter to give her side a sniff at the title, while Akur Malueth was a crucial target in goal shooter with 25 goals.
NSW claimed the 19/U title with greater ease, firing on all cylinders in a huge second half to take home the trophy with a 39-29 victory.
With scores level at half-time, NSW burst out of the blocks in the third for an eventual 23-15 second half.
Skye Thompson and Jaz McKay shone bright throughout the week.
The matchup between 19/U tournament MVP McKay and GIANTS 11th player Skye Thompson was the one to watch, with the two going head-to-head in goal defence and goal attack respectively.
McKay’s smothering defence forced Thompson to put her footwork to the test and find increasingly more challenging avenues into the circle and Sophia Martinussen’s accurate hand.
Grand final MVP Paige O’Neill was dominant throughout the clash, particularly in the second half credit to a move into goal defence from goal keeper.
Injury to starting goal defence Harlym Jennings forced the change and could have given SA an opportunity to turn around the match, however the new-look combination in defence between O’Neill, Kelis Ogle in goal keeper and Isabella Maher introduced in wing defence flipped the game on its head.
VICTORIA GOES BRONZE
Victoria took home bronze medals in both divisions, defeating Queensland in the 19/U division in breathtaking fashion with a 36-35 victory in the dying moments.
While Victoria had the upper hand at half time, Queensland came out with a point to prove in the third quarter.
But a see-sawing final term and clutch shooting from Victorian goal attack Molly Moylan enabled the Vics to take home the medal despite impressive efforts from the likes of Charlotte Jonsen, who had an outstanding final quarter.
Victoria’s 17/U team put out a blistering opening half to claim a 55-35 victory over Western Australia.
Indi O’Connor was dominant in the goal circle with 34 goals to her name and co-captains Manon Muir and Cleo McLachlan were critical across the defensive transverse line.
WA captain Amelie Markovic had a massive battle with Abbey Hogg through the midcourt while goal shooter Skyla Payne was solid to post with 24 goals.
Fans packed out Melbourne's State Sport Centre in Parkville.
FINAL STANDINGS
In the 19/U division New South Wales claimed gold, followed by South Australia (silver) and Victoria (bronze).
Queensland rounded out the top four, followed by Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
The 17/U division saw South Australia come out on top with gold, followed by NSW and Victoria.
WA followed in fourth, with ACT, Tasmania and NT close behind.
Queensland captain Ruby Stanford claimed the 17/U MVP award after an excellent campaign in defence, while South Australia’s Jaz McKay claimed back-to-back MVP awards, clinching the 19/U award after sharing the 17/U accolade last year.
The National Netball Championships is proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Visit Victoria.
