Cats fall short of HDFNL flags

By Matthew Kappos

Sep 9, 2024

Lockington-Bamawm United went down in a close contest to White Hills, the Demons earning the HDFNL under-18s football title.

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The Cats went in the underdog, with White Hills having lost only once throughout the year.

LBU was the side to score that victory but had to come from third to make its way into the decider.

LBU’s Toby Coutts isn’t happy with his opposite man. Photo by Matthew Kappos

In a cagey first quarter, White Hills accuracy proved the difference and the Demons went into the first break with a slender 2.1 (13) to 1.3 (9) lead.

The minor premier had the best of the early running in the second and LBU was staring at a pretty sizeable defeat.

However, the Cats weren’t going down easily and a couple of goals late in the period returned the margin to a goal at the main break.

LBU eventually levelled and even overran the Demons during the third quarter, and supporters dared to dream of a Cats victory as their side took a two-goal cushion into the final period.

It wasn’t to be however, and White Hills was able execute better down the stretch to claim a 13-point win, 12.6 (78) to 9.11 (65).

Ben Masters was the grand final hero for the Demons, kicking five majors, while James Brentnall and Nicholas Mitchell led LBU with two each.

The Game- Under-18 Grand final

Scores

Lockington-Bamawm United: 1.3, 3.6, 8.10, 9.11 (65)

White Hills: 2.1, 4.2, 7.4, 12.6 (78)

Goals

Lockington-Bamawm United: James Brentnall 2, Nicholas Mitchell 2, Cody Betts, Eddie Dudley, Jacob Haines, Brayden Hull, Charlie Mundie

White Hills: Ben Masters 5, Kalan Hand 3, Jarrell Ratcliffe 2, Isaac Tzouroutis 2

Best

Lockington-Bamawm United: Toby Coutts, Jacob Haines, Riley Carr, Bowden Stone, James Brentnall, William Hann

White Hills: Jarrell Ratcliffe, Kalan Hand, Ben Masters, Noah Jorgensen -Slimmon, Angus O'Brien, Jackson McRae

Under-13s

In the 13 and under netball grand final day kicked off in style for Leitchville-Gunbower, who downed defending champions Lockington-Bamawm United to claim the 13 and under netball flag.

LBU’s Marley Carnegie looks to respond to a L-G move Photo by Matthew Kappos

The two sides had split regular season meetings this year and the came looked as if it would be a closely contested one after a quarter of play, the Bombers leading 5-4.

LBU reversed that scoreline by the major break, going into half time with a one-point lead of its own 11-10.

The halftime team talk by L-G appeared to have worked, as the Bombers dominated the third period at both ends, wresting control of the game away from LBU and taking a 23-13 lead into the final break.

HDFNL grand final day- 13 and under netball- L-G's Chloe Keating attempts to inbound past LBU's Sadie Laffy Photo by Matthew Kappos

The game returned to an even keel for the final period, but L-G’s third quarter was enough for the Bombers to take the title 30-19.

L-G and LBU have been the premier sides in 13 and under netball for the last several seasons, with the Cats taking home the 2023 flag, while the previous year L-G claimed the title.