Sport
Goulburn Murray Women’s and Girls League heads to finals after regular season wraps up
The Goulburn Valley Women’s and Girls League has capped its first home and away season under the new branding with some big results.
While two of the top four qualifying sides got the chance to tune up with big wins, Nathalia and Echuca locked horns knowing they would do it all over again in week one of finals if the Murray Bombers could claim the points.
The clash at Nathalia did not provide a shootout between the competition’s two premier goal-scorers, with Kiara Cooper absent for the Purples, though she held on regardless to finish top of the charts with 53 for the year.
Echuca spearhead Paige Baksh notched the sole major she needed to complete a powerful half-century for the season as Kate Dixon led the way on the day with three in a comfortable 7.2 (44) to 1.1 (7) win for the visitors.
The result ensured Echuca would claim the minor premiership with a 12-2 record and, given the scores elsewhere, it was an important set of four points.
Had Nathalia served up a victory, Mansfield would have instead claimed top spot heading into finals action after holding bottom side Tatura goalless in a resounding 10.5 (65) to 0.3 (3) victory that had the Eagles finish second, half a game behind Echuca.
Meanwhile, Shepparton United overtook Nathalia in third after coming out on top of an all-local affair with Rumbalara in the town’s north.
Payten Johnson, just a goal shy of living up to her name with double digits a week ago, saw it all the way through this time to claim 10 in the massive 13.9 (87) to 1.0 (6) result.
Rounding out women’s competition was a clash between eliminated sides as Nagambie secured its third win of the season and moved up to sixth after knocking over Barooga, 4.6 (30) to 0.3 (3).
In the final round of Youth Girls competition, Rechelle Zammit was on hand at Princess Park to capture the Shepparton derby between the Swans and United on Sunday.
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Shepparton Swans’ Lara Bush takes her place after receiving a free. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 14
Shepparton United’s Zara Findlay and Shepparton Swans’ Eve Cook take the contest to ground level. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 14
Shepparton United gathers for a message at quarter time. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 14
Shepparton Swans girls look to regroup at the first change. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 14
Shepparton United’s Zara Findlay was in the action all day in the rout. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 14
Shepparton Swans’ Jean-Làtise Morgan stands the mark. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 14
Shepparton Swans dual-sport talent Phoebe Hawker kept busy on a tough day. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 14
Shepparton United’s Ellie Armstrong looks right for a wide option. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 14
Shepparton Swans’ Makayla Waters gains some territory on the flank. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 14
Shepparton United’s Leila Creevey and Zara Findlay celebrate one of a raft of goals. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 11 of 14
Shepparton United’s Leila Creevey got herself on the scoreboard as her side scored freely. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 12 of 14
Shepparton Swans’ Jean-Làtise Morgan takes another kick-in. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 13 of 14
Shepparton Swans’ Nyla Anderson gets a kick away in the mud. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 14 of 14
Shepparton Swans’ Phoebe Hawker collects another touch in tough conditions. Photo by Rechelle ZammitThe game on the day turned out to be a total blowout, though, with United flexing its muscle in all four quarters as Chloe D’Elia (six goals) and Charli Guppy (four) led the Demons to a shut out win, 17.9 (111) to 0.0 (0).
The minor premiership had been decided in advance, but Echuca United was able to put away Nathalia in a similarly dominant fashion to complete the perfect home and away record, winning 19.14 (128) to 0.0 (0) as Harper Delamare’s bag of five completed a 50-goal season.
There was one proper tussle to be found, though, as the two New South Wales outfits Moama and Barooga embarked on an arm-wrestle.
The Hawks did just enough to hold on, prevailing 3.9 (27) to 3.6 (24) to finish third with an even ledger at 7-7.