Senior football
The local rivals, Benalla and Goorambat came up against one another in the Terry Socks it to Cancer round and being the last game of the season both sides were keen to come away with the points to finish the year off on a high.
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Jamie Dunne played a strong game for the Bats along with Ryan Burns, setting up plenty of their teammates up forward, with Charles Hunter and Sully Malay looking dangerous around goal.
Jesse Walker worked tirelessly in defence for the Panthers while under heavy fire he was composed and showed the great improvement he has made this season. Josh Hyland had a great first game back for the club in defence and kept his opponent to zero goals.
Dylan Beavis played well in defence for Goorambat with support from Alex Maloney, getting the visitors a win to wrap up the Bats season.
Final score:
Benalla 6.7 (43) def. by Goorambat 14.10 (94)
Goorambat best players: Jamie Dunne (Peter Davis Rural), Ryan Burns (Goorambat Royal Hotel), Charles Hunter (The Royal Hotel), Dylan Beavis (Hollywood’s Pizza), Sully Malay, (Benalla Bowls Club) and Jim Taylor (Sports Power).
A-grade
Goorambat faced off against the All Blacks away from home with a finals berth on the line.
The Bats played well against rival Benalla in the wet and misty conditions.
Brittany Button and Nikki Wallace started the game in defence and Ally Ellis joined the duo later.
Mid-court Amelia Gall, Mackenzie Wilkinson and Carli Hogan had great passages of play.
The Bats shooters Jenna Brunner and Kylie Relf worked well in ring and rotated it well, giving the Bats easy scoring opportunities.
The All Blacks’ ever-reliable mid-courter Meagan Hausner was best on for her team, and was a work-horse running out four quarters in the centre, taking multiple intercepts and helping to transition the ball down to attack end.
Alara Jones made a comeback to the Panthers side after a shoulder injury earlier in the season and stared down in the attack end. After a few weeks off, she came out firing, showing off her amazing accuracy in the goal ring.
The All Blacks’ Elyse Felstead had another good game down in the defence end, working hard on accurate shooters from Goorambat and managing to cause turnovers and helping to link the play down the court to our attackers.
The All Blacks were determined to stay in the game but Goorambat was too strong and ran away with a 26-goal win.
Although the Bats secured the win they were unable to make their way into finals, missing out by percentage.
Final score: Benalla 32 def. by Goorambat 58.
Benalla best players: Meagan Hausner (Ray White Award), Alara Jones (Celebrations Award), Elyse Felstead Milner (Watson Pharmacy Award).
Goorambat best players: Ally Ellis (Blacks Plumbing cash award), Carli Brennan (Hollywoods Pizza), Nikki Wallace (Macca’s Sharpening Services).
Reserves football
Benalla and Goorambat faced off at Friendlies Reserve with both teams supporting a great cause in support of local legend Terry Greaves by wearing pink and yellow socks respectively.
With fourth spot locked in for Benalla, the side was focusing on its game plan and line-ups for the finals.
In wet and slippery conditions, the first quarter was about which the team could adapt to the conditions quicker.
The Panthers were able to adjust quicker, and started getting the game on their terms, kicking four goals and three behinds to the visitors’ zero by the first break.
Dallas Spencer was back into the side for Goorambat and played a great game with plenty of support from Will Hoskins and John Cochrane, with the evergreens Todd Haslam and Gary Priest playing their reliable games for the team.
Benalla was able to keep the opposition scoreless for three out of four quarters and the side’s defensive effort was fantastic, and allowed for the midfield and forwards to focus on scoring, finally running out 102-point winners (108- 6).
Benalla now looks forward to a great opportunity to play in the first final against Moyhu on Sunday at North Wangaratta and put all the season’s lessons into practice with the hope of keeping its 2023 season alive.
Benalla best players: Joshua Kotvas (Brad Milligan/Sherridan Homes), Eoin Higgins (Royal Hotel), Michael Kelly (Benalla Golf Club), Mark McDermott (SportsPower).
Goorambat best players: Dallas Spencer (Bouwmeesters Bakery), Will Hoskins (Royal Hotel), John Cochrane (Hollywood’s Pizza), Gary Priest (Benalla Bowls Club), Todd Haslam (SportsPower), Daniel Lemmer (CrossFit Hustle Crew).
B-reserve netball
Despite miserable weather conditions, it was a huge day for Benalla B-reserves with captain Mel Reaper celebrating a milestone 369 games for Benalla All Blacks — a record for most club games by a netballer or footballer.
Benalla was keen to get out there and bring home the win for Mel, against local rivals Goorambat.
A solid first quarter with Hannah Ely and Jemma Smith in goals saw Benalla take a convincing lead of 18-3.
For the Bats, Kate Nolan started in shooting but found herself much stronger in defence alongside Elise Nolan.
Both Goorambat players made the Benalla shooters work hard to secure goals as Hayley Marciniak and Hannah Coote again played a great pressure game in defence.
Defence from Keeley Sheehan, Renae Hughes and Chloe Dods in the second quarter saw the lead extended with Goorambat unable to score, finishing the quarter 37-3.
Down the opposite end, Mel Reaper went on into goals, and as usual, used her ability to feed the ball, and her calm nature to keep the flow and shoot goals.
It was a team effort by Benalla and the side came away with a convincing win, 75-10.
Benalla B-reserve turns its attention to Sunday when it takes on fifth-placed Whorouly in the elimination final.
Benalla awards: Renae Hughes (Benalla Gold Cup Entry), Mel Reaper (Stella Stella Now), Jemma Smith (Royal Hotel).
Goorambat awards: Kate Nolan (Goorambat Railway Hotel), Emma Dowdell (Benalla Boutique), Carissa Parrant (Amcal Chemist).