Ammos’ perfect season continues with win over Grubbers

GEELONG Amateur will enjoy an important week off as it waits to see who its opponent is in this year’s Bellarine Netball League (BNL) Grand Final.

The Ammos defeated rivals and premiership contenders Ocean Grove in Portarlington this afternoon (Saturday, August 24) 63-58, earning passage to a ninth-straight premiership decider dating back to 2014.

Both sides traded goals in the opening quarter of the Second Qualifying Finals, with the Ammos slightly in front at the first intermission, 17-15, but Mel Savage’s outfit jumped on the Grubbers in the second to more than triple its advantage and lead 33-26 at half-time.

Ocean Grove did its best to try to bring the lead back, but still trailed by seven at three-quarter time.

The offensive attacks picked up in intensity, as Ruby Watson and Darcy McFarlane led the charge for Geelong Amateur, and Bec O’Neill and Zanna Woods did the same for Ocean Grove.

The latter outscored Ammos 13-15 in the final quarter but could not overtake Geelong Amateur, going down by five .

Watson and McFarlane combined for more than 60 goals on the day, earning 43 and 19 respectively, while O’Neill and Woods scored 43 and 14 respectively.

Today’s Second Qualifying Final may set up a rematch in Leopold on September 7, if Ocean Grove can win next week’s Preliminary Final.

Aiming to repeat their 2023 flag success, the Grubbers will not know their opponent until the conclusion of tomorrow’s Semi-Final between Queenscliff and Torquay.

Geelong Amateur, meanwhile, is trying to avenge last year’s Grand Final loss and get back on the podium for the first time since 2022.