Erika Allen
MAFFRA will contest the 13 & Under Gippsland League netball Grand Final after overcoming Morwell in Saturday’s Preliminary Final at Sale Oval.
The young Eagles secured a 35–28 victory despite trailing by four goals at quarter-time.
Maffra shifted the momentum through key finals performers Emmy Gieschen and Tabbatha Coggan, who continue to lift when it matters most after also being named among the side’s top three players in both the Elimination Final and Semi Final.
Myah Henry was another standout performer in the Preliminary Final.
After drawing level at 14 goals apiece by half-time, the Eagles continued to build across the second half.
The third quarter proved decisive, with Maffra producing an 11-goal-to-six term to establish a five-goal advantage heading into the final period.
Another double-figure quarter ensured the Eagles booked their place in the Grand Final and earned the opportunity to challenge Traralgon’s perfect season.
The Maroons enter the decider without a loss to their name across either the home-and-away season or finals.
Traralgon previously defeated Maffra in the Semi Final, with Portia Weaver, Tessa Jennings and Lillian Zanella leading the way.
With nothing to lose for the Eagles and an unbeaten season on the line for the Maroons, the contest shapes as an exciting start to the 2026 Gippsland League Grand Finals at Traralgon Recreation Reserve.
Traralgon will have the strongest netball representation on Grand Final day, with teams also contesting the 15 & Under, 17 & Under and C Grade premierships.
Leongatha will meet Traralgon in the 15 & Under Grand Final after the Parrots defeated Moe by eight goals in the Preliminary Final.
In 17 & Under, Bairnsdale will also attempt to topple a minor premier when it faces Traralgon.
The Redlegs advanced to the decider with a 46–33 Preliminary Final victory over Moe.
Morwell may enter the C Grade Grand Final as one of the favourites for the silverware, but the Tigers will need to overcome an in-form Traralgon outfit.
The Maroons finished the home-and-away season in fourth position but have emerged as the dark horse of the finals series, continuing their impressive run with a 42–33 victory over minor premier Moe in the Preliminary Final.
Drouin will have two teams competing for premierships.
The Hawks’ B Grade side defeated Traralgon by five goals on Saturday to earn a Grand Final showdown with minor premier Leongatha.
The day will culminate with another chapter in the rivalry between this season’s A Grade powerhouses, Moe and Drouin, from 3pm.
The Lions will be attempting to make history by securing a fourth consecutive A Grade premiership.
Drouin has arguably been the team best placed to stop them throughout 2026.
The Hawks opened the season in dominant fashion and appeared almost untouchable before suffering their first defeat of the year against Moe in Round 14.
A draw with Bairnsdale the following week allowed the Lions to move into top position, with Moe maintaining its form through the remainder of the season and into the finals.
Drouin booked its Grand Final berth with a commanding 65–47 Preliminary Final victory over Leongatha.
League Best & Fairest winner and the season’s leading A Grade goal shooter, Mwai Kumwenda Mbwana, was again outstanding for the Hawks, with Ava Gaul and Ebony Mumford also among Drouin’s best.
If their previous meetings are any indication, Saturday’s A Grade Grand Final promises to be another gripping encounter.
Meetings between Moe and Drouin this season have been decided by five goals or fewer, setting the stage for a fitting conclusion to the 2026 Gippsland League netball season.
Photo: Andrew Day
