Merrigum's Ciarah Lopatecki celebrates a win for 2025.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Finishing outside the top two on the ladder is supposed to be a distinct disadvantage when it comes to finals, as was the case on Kyabram District League grand final day on Saturday, with six of the seven netball sides that hoisted the cup having finished first or second.
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Someone forgot to tell Merrigum’s under-17 side.
In stunning fashion, the Bulldogs claimed a miraculous 42-37 victory over first-placed Shepparton East in the decider at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve at the weekend, having finished fourth after the regular season and being forced to win three do-or-die finals en route to the flag.
In defiance of both of their past meetings, included a round four rout which saw the Eagles win by 14 goals, it was Merrigum that enjoyed the lead at the first break, starting strongly to enter the quarter-time huddle up 12-11.
The Bulldogs were playing with heart, and the confidence they had built throughout their cutthroat run to the decider yielded a gap on the scoreboard, as they pulled away from Shepparton East nearing the half-time break to lead 22-19 at the main interval.
Merrigum's Alyssa Christou was named best on court by the umpires in the 17-and-under decider.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
With a premiership on the line, the Eagles lifted after the break, and closed within one-goal of the lead, but it only seemed to fuel Merrigum, as the Dogs reinstated the half-time margin before forging even further ahead, forcing turnovers which they converted and scoring quickly off their centre passes to keep the pressure on, opening a game-high 33-26 lead at the final change.
The fourth quarter looked to be a procession, as Merrigum’s lead hit nine goals, however the Eagles found a second wind, whittling away at the lead as the Bulldogs began to falter, closing back within four as the clock wound down.
It proved a futile comeback, however, as the final siren sounded before the Eagles were able to get close enough to really worry the Bulldogs, who celebrated their phenomenal triumph accordingly.
Bulldogs centre Alyssa Christou was monumental in orchestrating the victory, and was deservingly named best on court by the umpires for her role in the win.
