Nar Nar Goon will play Korumburra-Bena in this week’s 2025 WGFNC A Grade grand final at Garfield after an extraordinary finish to its preliminary final against Tooradin-Dalmore on Saturday.
The Goon looked gone for all money with two minutes left on the clock; the Seagulls two goals ahead with a centre pass to follow.
But some errant passing and missed opportunities in the circle gave the Goon one last sniff…and it pounced.
The Goon scored the last three goals of the match, with star-goaler Kyra Esler nailing a magnificent shot from long range – with the last possession of the match – to end a wonderful contest with the scoreboard reading 46-45 in the Goon’s favour.
Tooradin-Dalmore’s brave run from sixth place may have ended, but the Seagulls proved themselves a worthy preliminary final participant.
The pressure was enormous from both teams from the outset, with every pass and every single possession meaning something for both clubs.
The Goon and Seagulls both showed some understandable nerves in the opening minutes of the grand final qualifier, both making some uncharacteristic mistakes.
But the two combatants soon settled into their work, the Goon leading 11-10 after a very even first quarter.
The battle of the midcourt was intriguing, with Seagulls’ Stacey Sawyer, Keely Freestone and Summah Boyd standing up strongly to the experienced trio of Olivia Hamilton, Meaghan Winter and Alex Fenton.
Goaler Alex Maher was proving a reliable force for the Gulls, while Esler and Darcy Utber were combining well in the circle for the Goon.
The Seagulls played the better netball in the second quarter, leading 25-21 at half time.
Ash Bowden and Kelly Haynes tightened things up in defence…while the midcourt pressure was elite.
Nar Nar Goon’ s defence was right under the pump, with Taylah Boatwood and Morgan Harris doing everything they could to keep their team in the contest.
Harris paid the price, just before half time, with a collision of heads seeing her leave the court with a damaged nose and she would not return for the match.
Chantelle Dale filled her shoes and did a terrific job alongside Boatwood in the second half.
The Goon edged closer in the third term and trailed by one goal – 34-33 – as the last quarter began.
The last quarter had everything, including a magnificent atmosphere, as a large contingent of vocal supporters tried to lift their teams for one final effort.
Both teams lifted their intensity in the final term, with the Seagulls scoring three unanswered goals to lead by that margin midway through the quarter.
Nar Nar Goon then went on a run of its own, scoring five of the next six goals to lead by one.
But the Seagulls would not be denied, nailing three in a row to take a two-goal lead, with two minutes left on the clock…and the centre pass to follow.
The pass missed its intended target; while some uncharacteristic missed shots at goal would ultimately prove costly.
The Goon went bang, bang…tying away the scores, before Esler produced the greatest shot of her career so far to book the Goon a ticket to the big dance.
The contrast between the pleasure and pain of sport was evident; the Goon celebrating wildly while the Seagulls were left to ponder the big fish that got away after a brave run through finals.
Bring on the big one…Korumburra-Bena taking on the Goon!
