Blues turn it on in second half to blow away Devils

WINCHELSEA has reaffirmed its status as a Geelong & District Netball League heavyweight with a convincing 32-52 win over the Corio Devils in today’s (Saturday, August 24) First Qualifying Final.

The Blues quickly gained the upper hand against the Devils, leading 7-14 at quarter time, but Shayna Brown and her side did well to cut that margin before the half-time break.

The Devils trailed 19-23, but a third-quarter barrage led by Katrina Biscan, Ebony Berg and Olivia Paatsch shocked Corio in the third quarter.

Winchelsea outscored its opponents 17-3 to take a 22-40 lead with 15 minutes to play.

The Blues ultimately walked off St Albans Reserve with a deserved 20-goal win and setting up a top-tier fixture with the 2022 premiers East Geelong next Saturday (August 31) for a spot in the GDNL Grand Final.

The Blues will next face 2022 premiers East Geelong next Saturday (August 31) for a spot in the GDNL Grand Final.

Biscan finished with 28 goals on the day, while Berg and Paatsch scored 12 each.

For Corio, Jordyn Fairchild scored 19 goals, while Brown scored eight and Jorden Nichols finished with five.

Today’s win was some measure of redemption for Winchelsea, who fell out of the finals in straight sets in 2023 and lost to Corio by seven goals in Round 4 this season.

Corio has the double chance and will play in next Sunday’s Semi-Final against either Belmont or Bannockburn in a do-or-die affair.

The Lions and Tigers meet in the Elimination Final tomorrow back at St Albans Reserve.

Belmont’s appearance will mark the first time in 22 years the Lions will be a part of A Grade finals action.