Picola finishes year on a high

It wasn’t all easy going for the host, as Katunga showed improvement from the earlier meeting to force a contest in the first half.

In fact the Blues trailed after the first quarter by a point after the Swans narrowly edged the minor score count, 2.3 to 2.4.

Picola had a big quarter in the second, kicking six goals to open up a lead, but Katunga stayed right there with the host, adding four of its own to be down only 10 at half-time.

The Blues would continue to build through the third period, adding another seven to their lead, and would hold off any Swans comeback attempt with a three goals to two final period.

The result marks Picola United’s first win since early May, a quirk of the draw seeing the Blues play each of the bottom four sides in the opening month and not encountering them again until the weekend.

The club now heads into a new challenge, with the league dividing into North West and South East divisions for 2027.

Senior boss Jon Varcoe will again lead the side next year, the club recently re-signing its coach, while president Brad Caldwell also confirmed the current A-grade and B-grade netball coaches would return next year.

“Things are heading in the right direction,” he said.

“We've got those coaching announcements set so that we can get on about retention and recruiting for 2027 and beyond.”

Varcoe took over the role in the last off-season, dealing with the turnover of several key players after the previous two years under Rhys Woodland resulted in first round finals exits.

Picola United finishes this season in 12th place with a 5-1-10 record.