Sport
16 September, 2025
Five teams share netball premierships
History was made in the 2025 junior and senior grand finals, with four junior teams and two senior sides joining Avoca’s vaunted A grade team in the history books as premiers in 2025.
Action began with an exciting matchup, as the 11 and under season finale between favourites Natte Bealiba and Talbot went down to the wire.
After nothing could separate the two teams in the first quarter, the Swans built a four-goal advantage at half time courtesy of some great shooting from Emmie Ross and Olivia Jardine as well as some excellent team defence.
The Hawks clawed the margin back to three goals by three-quarter time, but couldn’t come any closer as the Swans held on 13-10 to win the first grand final of the day.
Despite being on the losing side, Talbot’s Alyssa Corcoran was named best on court for her terrific performance in the midcourt.
In the 13 and under grand final, Newstead dominated the first quarter and never looked back, defeating Talbot 30-16 to obtain the flag.
The Steaders outscored the Hawks 11-2 in the first quarter, with league best and fairest Scarlett Ramsey making the most of some early Hawks turnovers by netting eight in the first term.
The Hawks fought back in the final quarter, but it was too little too late, allowing Newstead to finish the year unbeaten and take the 13 and under crown, with Ramsey finishing as best on court.
The Steaders were hopeful of gaining a second junior premiership in the 15 and under. However, Avoca had other plans, beating Newstead 32-23.
It was the Bulldogs who sprang out of the blocks quickly, conceding just two goals in the first quarter to take a seven-goal advantage into the opening break.
Newstead fought hard to bring the deficit down to five by three-quarter time, but the Bulldogs were able to run away in the fourth quarter to keep their opponent at bay.
Layla White was a defensive rock on the big stage for Avoca, rightfully winning the best on court.
The Maryborough Giants remained perfect throughout 2025 in the 17 and under competition, taking a commanding win over Avoca 40-16, whose Cinderella run to the last dance after finishing eighth struck midnight.
The Giants’ midcourt was getting the ball to star shooter Lacey Broad almost immediately, allowing the heavy favourites to take an 11-goal lead into quarter time.
Despite improving throughout the rest of the match, the Bulldogs couldn’t recover from the early deficit, as the Giants cruised to their first junior premiership in the club’s history.
After orchestrating the midcourt throughout the contest, Mary-borough Giants’ Kayley Walhouse was named best on court.
After winning the C grade premiership in 2024, Natte Bealiba repeated the feat in style, ending the season undefeated with an impressive performance against the Maryborough Giants 51-25.
Following a strong opening quarter, the Swans put their foot down in the second term, outscoring their opponents 16-7 to give themselves a 17-goal buffer that the Giants couldn’t recover from.
Natte shooter Zali Mortlock was named best on court after scoring a game-high 38 goals.
In a rematch of the 2024 B Grade decider, Carisbrook avenged last season’s loss against the Mary-borough Giants, defeating their rivals 31-29 in arguably the netball grand final of the day.
The sequel was just as good as the original, which finished 33-30 in the Giants’ favour, as both teams went neck and neck throughout the contest.
After holding the lead at every major break, the Redbacks held their nerve to win the premiership.
With some crucial interventions throughout the match, Carisbrook’s Sophie Mark was named best on court.