Sport
Goulburn Valley products gearing up to take on Victorian Netball League grand final head first
At least one Goulburn Valley product will have lifted the Victorian Netball League trophy by 10pm on Wednesday.
Melbourne’s State Netball Centre will host the decider to see which elite side will be crowned queens of the court, and steaming into the championship grand final as favourite is Jacinta Todd’s City West Falcons.
The Shepparton mentor was a part of the Falcons’ premiership sides in 2022 and 2023, and after only dropping one game in 2024, Todd and company are again at short odds to hoist the cup for a third time.
However, there’s one thing worth noting.
Falcons’ only loss came against Boroondara Express in round one and the reigning premier will suit up against none other than the Express in Wednesday’s big dance.
Star Seymour duo Sarah Szczykulski and Ally Black, alongside rangy Euroa goaler Olivia Morris, all ply their trade for the Boroondara outfit, but fell to the Falcons 77-54 in the first round of finals.
However, Todd knows anything can happen in a grand final and is prepared for whatever transpires.
“We are pretty excited — we had a really great game (against Boroondara last time),” Todd said.
“It was a tight tussle in the first quarter and then I think midway through our second quarter we started to open up the game a bit.
“I know there’s quite a number of girls who are going in for their third grand final and we’re hoping to take out the three-peat.
“That would be lovely because I think no club in the history of VNL has actually ever done that.”
The Falcons are brimming with confidence and ability to boot, having won 20 games on the bounce since dropping their first game against Express.
The 58-57 defeat in the season opener proved to be an anomaly and was something Todd chalked up to early teething problems.
“Round one is a bit of a nemesis for us,” she said,
“I don’t know what it is, we had new players into the mix, so whether we were just building different combinations, we lost our first round game, but it was literally by one goal and we had the opportunity to draw it on full time.
“So to only lose one game by one goal just on full time and then to kick on to be in the position that we’re in is remarkable I think for those girls.”
While City West has relied heavily on the talents of Jane Cook and Sophie Hanrahan — who both played for Shepparton in the Goulburn Valley League in 2023 — another Bear has quietly ticked away for the Falcons.
Genna Ogier is based in Melbourne and originally reached out to the club for training.
Now she finds herself on the brink of a history-making tilt.
“She didn’t realise that training would then lead to an opportunity to be part of that championship team,” Todd said.
“She’s been with us since the start of the season basically and has really enjoyed the experience I think.”
Meanwhile, Seymour’s Ella Tennant remains the only GV product heading up the 23-and-under grand final as her North East Blaze side knocked out Melbourne University Lightning, featuring Mooroopna duo Dayna Williams and Asha Gray, in the preliminary final.