Murrabit 46 d Ultima 35
THE first weekend of Golden Rivers finals action is done and dusted in the A Grade competition, with Murrabit going directly through to the grand final with an 11-goal win over Ultima.
The game started red-hot for the Roos, who capitalised on their centre passes with accurate goaling by young gun goalies Madison Davies (12 goals) and Ash Sanders (23 goals) who couldn’t miss, the Roos going in to the first break two goals in front.
The reigning premiers rallied after the break with the agile Milla Bray starting to get her hands on the ball and causing headaches for Ultima’s attack end.
Murrabit were again without their goal shooter Grace Gillingham, however Montana Keating, who is no stranger to Murrabit’s goal circle, rose to the occasion.
The second quarter was all Murrabit, who turned around Ultima’s two-goal lead to enter half-time up by two.
Ultima coach Tayla Foster and Murrabit coach Elly Bookham battled it out in the midcourt in very warm conditions, with Murrabit seeming to have more run in their legs, whereas Ultima struggled with the heat.
The Blues increased their lead to four goals at three-quarter-time, before a big last quarter from Keating, who proved too fast in the goal circle for Ultima’s defence.
Keating scored 35 goals in a best-on-court performance for the reigning premiers and was assisted by the Emelia Shannahan (11 goals).
Murrabit took charge in the last quarter, outscoring Ultima 14 goals to seven, with the Golden Rivers powerhouse that is Murrabit’s A Grade once again booking a spot their spot in the decider.
Ultima now need to defeat Hay in Saturday’s preliminary final to qualify for the decider.
Hay 56 d Moulamein 44
THE Golden Rivers season’s biggest improvers in Hay went into their first semi-final match against Moulamein as favourites, and the Lions kept their season alive with a 12-goal win over the Swans.
Hay have been an exceptional side all season, dropping only a few games when some of their players were unavailable mid-season, while Moulamein went into the game without goal keeper Emily Michelmore and were always going to have a big job ahead of them.
Meg-Jordyne Rooney (20 goals) stood up for Moulamein in the first quarter, barely missing a goal with the Swans taking a one-goal lead into quarter-time.
It would prove to be the last time the Swans would be in front, however, as the Swans without Michelmore in defence had to sacrifice the midcourt run of Maddy Gleeson by playing her at goal keeper, exposing her to a defensive mismatch against Kellie Walker.
Walker shot 37 goals for the Lions and was just too strong and powerful, with Hay leading by three goals at half-time.
Moulamein’s Courtney Atkins was no match for Hay’s quick-moving Toni Rivett, who enabled the Lions to move the ball with ease, while Ellen Jamieson (19 goals) at goal attack had her work cut out for her on Moulamein’s Hannah Morton.
At the other end of the court, Moulamein’s Jorja McDonald (20 goals) started to miss under the defensive pressure of Hay’s Olivia Joyce.
Moulamein young talent Zarlie Featherby was moved from wing attack to wing defence in a bid to try and stop the Lions, but little could stop the feed to Walker.
At three-quarter-time, the Lions had extended their lead to four goals, before dominating the final quarter as the Swans ran out of options and fitness.
Hannah Morton, who has been an incredible asset for the Swans, was out hunting for intercepts to inspire her team, but just couldn’t do the job alone as Hay began to charge.
The 56-44 result sees Hay through to this Saturday’s preliminary final against Ultima, while the Swans 2024 campaign draws to a close.
