By Erika Allen
No upsets played out in the top division as the first week of Gippsland League netball finals got underway.
Drouin defeated Bairnsdale 51-29 in Saturday’s qualifying final, earning a second chance and the opportunity to secure a grand final berth when it faces minor premier Moe this Saturday.
The result continued a season dominated by the Hawks and Lions, who combined to win 33 of a possible 36 matches during the home-and-away season.
Drouin centre Stacie Gardiner, goalkeeper Ebony Mumford and goal shooter Mwai Kumwenda Mbwana, all instrumental in the Hawks’ successful season, were again named among their best.
League-leading goal shooter Kumwenda Mbwana scored 33 goals, while Charlize Traumanis added 17.
Bairnsdale’s Sally Deller was named the Redlegs’ best for her defensive efforts, with centre Paris Dunkley and wing defence Ruby Dunkley also impressing.
Bairnsdale will now face Leongatha in an elimination first semi-final after the Parrots ended Wonthaggi’s season with a 54-37 victory on Sunday.
Leongatha will host the first semi-final on Sunday, while Moe and Drouin meet in Saturday’s second semi-final at Morwell Recreation Reserve, with the winner progressing directly to the grand final.
Drouin and Traralgon also progressed through their respective B Grade qualifying and elimination finals at the weekend.
The Hawks set up a second semi-final against minor premier Leongatha on Saturday, while the Maroons will face Moe in Sunday’s first semi-final.
In C Grade, Traralgon eliminated Leongatha on Sunday with a two-goal victory.
The Maroons will now face Drouin in Sunday’s first semi-final, while Morwell, which defeated Drouin in the qualifying final, will meet minor premier Moe in Saturday’s second semi-final.
Eagles, Magpies still fighting
Maffra and Sale remain represented in the 13 & Under and 17 & Under finals series respectively.
The Eagles won a thrilling 13 & Under qualifying final by one goal against Bairnsdale on Saturday.
Maffra took a four-goal lead into quarter-time, but Bairnsdale levelled the scores by half-time before taking control in the third term with a 7-5 quarter.
The Eagles regained their composure in the final term, winning the quarter 5-4 to secure the narrow victory.
Dakota Traeger, Oceanna Greaves and Emmy Gieschen were named among Maffra’s top contributors.
Isla Dorning returned to the side and led the scoring with 15 goals.
Haddie McLeod, Ally Wood-Laird and Bella Brodribb were among Bairnsdale’s best.
Maffra will now face minor premier Traralgon at Morwell Recreation Reserve in Saturday’s second semi-final, with a grand final berth on the line.
Bairnsdale and Morwell will meet in Sunday’s first semi-final to keep their seasons alive.
Meanwhile, Sale’s 13 & Under side was eliminated by Morwell on Sunday.
The Magpies matched the Tigers in the final term but could not overcome Morwell’s strong opening three quarters, which left Sale trailing by 11 goals at the final change.
Morwell went on to win 34-25.
Chisom Anyanwu was named Morwell’s best, followed by Isabella Conway and Milla Reiss.
Amber Smyth led Sale’s efforts, with Poppy Inglis and Ava Fairhall also impressing.
After Sale bowed out of the 15 & Under competition, the club’s sole remaining junior representation is its 17 & Under side, which convincingly defeated Drouin by 17 goals in Sunday’s elimination final.
Jessica Gerrand was Sale’s top player, while Mollie Delaney and Ochre Fraser also made strong contributions.
Delaney scored 22 goals for the Magpies, with Mackenzie Lett adding 23.
Drouin’s best players were Fiona Nalder, Chloe Walsh and Amber Hammond.
Sale will now face Moe in Sunday’s first semi-final, with a place in the preliminary final up for grabs.
