Erika Allen
MOE will contest the 2026 Gippsland League netball grand final, chasing a fourth consecutive premiership.
The Lions’ opponent will be either Drouin or Leongatha, as Wellington hosts the stage for the final time this season.
Drouin, having led Saturday’s second semi-final for two quarters, was outplayed by the Lions in the final term as the minor premier extended its three-quarter-time lead from three goals to five at full time, winning 72-67.
Ashlea Mawer was prolific in the Lions’ goal third, shooting 55 goals. It is not often Drouin goal shooter Mwai Kumwenda Mbwana is outscored under the post, but the defensive efforts of Jordan Pyle and Raymay Taily could not be overlooked as Moe secured its second victory over the Hawks this season.
Alexandra Moody was another standout for the Lions with her work through the midcourt.
Wing defence Ava Gaul was Drouin’s best, followed by Charlize Traumanis (25 goals) and wing attack Reagan Joyce.
Either Drouin or Leongatha will now have the task of ending Moe’s premiership reign and denying the Lions a fourth flag in as many years.
A win at Sale Oval on Saturday would also bring a new grand final opponent into the mix, with Moe having faced only Warragul in 2024 and 2025, and Morwell in 2023, during its recent premiership run.
The Parrots carry momentum into the preliminary final after upsetting Bairnsdale 35-30 in the first semi-final.
Leongatha had already proved a formidable opponent for Bairnsdale, defeating the third-ranked side by a goal in round 11, and Sunday’s result showed that victory was no one-off.
Jayde Hall was named Leongatha’s best for her defensive efforts against Bairnsdale key shooter Chloe Felsbourg, who finished with nine goals.
Sally Deller again produced a defensive masterclass and was Bairnsdale’s best, but the Parrots did most of their damage in the second term, piling on 10 goals to five before largely maintaining their advantage to the final siren. They won the last quarter 12-10.
Across the grades, Traralgon and Drouin will meet for the right to play Leongatha in the B grade grand final, after Moe was eliminated by the Maroons on Sunday.
Morwell’s C grade side awaits either Moe or Traralgon, with the Tigers defeating Moe in Saturday’s semi-final and Traralgon eliminating Drouin by three goals on Sunday.
Eagles get another chance
MAFFRA will face Morwell in the 13-and-under preliminary final, with the winner to meet Traralgon in the grand final.
The Eagles have first-hand experience of the Maroons’ finals form, having been beaten by 23 goals in Saturday’s second semi-final.
Maffra trailed by just two goals at quarter-time, but while the Maroons improved their scoreboard conversion each quarter, the Eagles were held to just five goals for the remainder of the match.
Gemma Burley, Emmy Gieschen and Tabatha Coggan, who scored eight goals, were the Eagles’ top three contributors.
Portia Weaver led the way for Traralgon, with Tess Jennings and Lillian Zanella, who scored 21 goals, also among the standout performers.
Morwell, Maffra’s preliminary final opponent, defeated Bairnsdale by two goals in a Sunday thriller to end the Redlegs’ season.
The Eagles can take confidence from their regular-season encounters, however, having traded wins with the Tigers across the year.
Milla Reiss, who has been the Tigers’ leading shooter alongside Harper Parsons, will be among the players Maffra will need to contain. Parsons, who scored 15 goals, was rated among Morwell’s best in the semi-final, alongside goal keeper Georgie Harper and wing defence Isla Alexander.
Sale’s last netball team standing was knocked out of finals contention by Moe in Sunday’s 17-and-under semi-final.
Despite leading at half-time, the Magpies were overcome in the final period by a fast-finishing Lions outfit.
Taylah Youmard (28) was Moe’s standout, with Virginia Daley and Alexa Doherty also among the Lions’ best.
Jessica Gerrand led the way for Sale, followed by Mackenzie Lett (25) and Jasmine Taylor.
Moe’s victory set up a preliminary final against Bairnsdale, with the winner to take on Traralgon in the grand final after the Maroons defeated the Redlegs in Saturday’s second semi-final.
Meanwhile, Traralgon has its third junior team through to a grand final after its 15-and-under side defeated Leongatha by seven goals on Saturday.
The Parrots will meet Moe in the preliminary final after the Lions eliminated Bairnsdale 42-37 on Sunday.
Semi-Final Results
A grade: second semi-final: Moe 72 d Drouin 67; first semi-final: Leongatha 35 d Bairnsdale 30
B grade: second semi-final: Leongatha 51 d Drouin 38; first semi-final: Traralgon 50 d Moe 49
C grade: second semi-final: Morwell 34 d Moe 28; first semi-final: Traralgon 39 d Drouin 36
17 & under: second semi-final: Traralgon 42 d Bairnsdale 26; first semi-final: Moe 45 d Sale 38
15 & under: second semi-final: Traralgon 27 d Leongatha 20; first semi-final: Moe 42 d Bairnsdale 37
13 & under: second semi-final: Traralgon 38 d Maffra 15; first semi-final: Morwell 33 d Bairnsdale 31
Preliminary Final Schedule
Saturday at Sale Oval
A grade: Drouin v Leongatha, 2.35pm
B grade: Drouin v Traralgon, 1.20pm
C grade: Moe v Traralgon, 12.15pm
17 & under: Bairnsdale v Moe, 11.10am
15 & under: Leongatha v Moe, 10.05am
13 & under: Maffra v Morwell, 9am
