Eagles victorious over gallant Joeys

NEWTOWN & Chilwell remained composed at West Oval Reserve yesterday afternoon (Saturday, September 2) to begin its Geelong Netball League finals campaign with an 11-goal win over returning finals participants St Joseph’s, 57-46.

The Eagles and Joeys traded blows early to begin the First Qualifying Final, with Newtown & Chilwell one shot ahead at quarter-time, leading 13-12.

Kirsten Hood’s side kept pace with Newtown & Chilwell in the second term, trailing by a mere three goals at half-time with scoring coming at a premium and the half-time scoreline at 27-24.

The Eagles, well-versed in finals action over the past decade, relied on their experience to wear down Joeys in the second half, getting out to a six-goal lead at the final break, 42-36.

Newtown & Chilwell saved its best quarter for last, limiting St Joseph’s to just 10 scores and outscoring its opponent 15-10 in the final stanza to secure the 11-goal win.

Newtown won all four quarters by one point, two points, three points, and five points respectively, slowly but surely increasing their lead over Joeys as the game went on.

Uneeq Palavi (10 goals) took a back seat up the scoring end for the Eagles, as captain Julia Woolley took on the main portion of the scoring load with 47 goals.

Joeys’ Emma Buwalda tallied 36 goals in the game, while Laura Bell added 10 goals of her own. Newtown’s Woolley, Mia van Wyk and Amy Wirth were all noted as best-on-court performers.

Newtown & Chilwell meet Colac in next Saturday’s Second Qualifying Final (September 9) in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final.

The Eagles and Tigers have split the season series with one win apiece, with next weekend’s winner to secure a spot in the 2023 GNL Grand Final.

St Joseph’s will reassess its tactics ahead of next Sunday’s (September 10) Semi Final matchup against either South Barwon or Geelong West at West Oval, dependent on today’s result.