Eagles topple Joeys in Grand Final cliffhanger

NEWTOWN & Chilwell has tied South Barwon with a record eight Geelong Netball League (GNL) premiership, after a scintillating win over St Joseph’s in today’s Grand Final (Friday, September 27).

In a tight contest right up to the final siren, the Eagles secured the 34-38 win over the minor premiers to reclaim the mantle of GNL premiers for the first time in five years, following heartbreaking losses in 2023 and 2022.

Newtown captain Julia Woolley said the team’s experience was crucial in the late stages of today’s decider.

“Our experience today and our form over the last few weeks I think proved to be the difference.

“It was this time I think a couple weeks ago against Geelong West, where we won by seven goals or so, and that was a tough game.

“For four quarters we needed to cherish our possessions, and again the week after against South Barwon we needed to do that, and those two games helped us prepare for today.

“We just needed to maintain possession late today, and our experience helped us do that.”

Joeys got the game off on the right foot, utilising its staunch defence to limit the Towners to just seven first quarter goals and scoring 12 of its own.

Newtown answered back in the second quarter, outscoring Joeys 15-7 to hold a 19-22 lead at the main break, led by scoring duo Mikaela Vaughan and Julia Woolley.

In a game of momentum changes, St Joseph’s took back the lead heading into the fourth quarter, ahead 29-26 as the Eagles faced a potential third-straight Grand Final defeat.

In true Eagles fashion, the side flipped the script in the fourth, putting on its best defensive effort of the game to limit Joeys to just four goals in the final 15 minutes.

Newtown & Chilwell put the result beyond doubt with a Ruby Pekin-Schlicht interception in the final minute and a Woolley goal to put the side up by four with just eight seconds remaining.

Woolley, who has been a stalwart of Newtown & Chilwell over the past decade, was awarded the best on court medal for her efforts.

She said it was an emotional game for the group, which would take a different form in 2025.

“It’s a really special win,” Woolley said.

“I was getting a bit teary during the week knowing this would be the last game for this team as a group.

“Natalie Tomassini is stepping away after 10 years, and we have Amy Wirth potentially dropping down to D Grade due to the demand of playing at this level.

“So this flag is special, it’s a special group of player and we’ll enjoy it for a long time to come.”

Mikaela Vaughan and Julia Woolley shot 21 and 17 goals respectively for the Eagles. Georgette Paatsch finished the contest with 20 goals alongside Laura Bell’s 14.

Rounding out the other senior netball Grand Finals, Colac overcame South Barwon 34-40 in the B Grade decider, Leopold broke a 12-year senior netball premiership drought in a 43-42 win over South Barwon in the C Grade Grand Final, and a last-second shot brought St Mary’s D Grade Grand Final success over Leopold, 32-31.