It’s grand final time in SECBL winter season

WOMEN: SAINTS 72 (M. Burke 25, P. Venn 19, P. Paul 9) defeated ROOS 52 (E. Bouchier 29, C. Nulty 6, L. Norman 5).

Saints relished its return to full strength by building a healthy lead after ten minutes of play and then stamping their authority on the game, leading 48-23 at the main break. Macca Burke and Poppy Venn finished off well for the home side. In contrast, quiet achiever, Ellie Bouchier was impressive in her lone hand performance for Roos. Cara Nulty and Macy Griffith, however, struggled to produce their form of previous weeks. The unavailability of Stella Mobbs added to Roos’ pre-match pressure.

MEN: BULLDOGS BLUE 83 (S. Berkefeld 26, B. Young 20, D. Reid 14, Shaun Lock 14) def PANTHERS 82 (O. Thomson 26, K. Tipene 17, T. Stephens, T. Brumby 10).

An absolute blinder of a game as a prelude to what is likely to be best grand Final for some seasons. It was tough and entertaining in which players showed relentless application. Panthers’ Ollie Thomson, in his typical unobtrusive style, kept Panthers in front despite the defensive work by Blue. At half time Panthers led 55-46 and 68- 60 at the final break. Blue, then led by the ever-brilliant Simon Berkefeld, lifted in defensive pressure, and forced Panthers to foul in their desperate attempts to curb the surge.

The outcome was decided in last 10 seconds when Simon Berkfeld found the hoop with a perfect and timely three to give Blue a one-point lead,83-82. Not to denied, Ollie Thomson drove through heavy traffic in the final 4 seconds and put up a shot only to see the ball rim out; oh, so close. Bulldogs Blue, led by Simon Berkefeld, will now get another crack at the Saints’ young guns. While the result was disappointing for Panthers, there are obvious gains in store for their four participating juniors, who all had valuable court time.

GRAND FINALS being played at the Peter Seebohm Stadium, Millicent on Wednesday, September 20

Women: 6.30pm Saints v Bulldogs

Previous game results suggest that Bulldogs will start favorite, but the return of the Saints class duo, Edie Easterby and Poppy Venn, give the team a very different look and rates a different performance as shownlast week. There will be critical contests all over; Edie Easterby, Poppy Venn and Macca Burke receiving close attention from Bulldogs under the guidance of Coach Sharon Adams. Ava Collins the form player of the season, and Tenille Human will be under the watchful eye of Coach Damain Venn. Saints, based on a predicted full line-up may start pre-match favourite.

Men:8pm Saints v Bulldogs Blue

There could not be a better game as the climax to the 2023 SECBL Winter Season than the Men’s Grand Final between Saints and Bulldogs Blue. A mere 7 points dragged Saints over the line in the semi-final, and a basket in the closing 10 seconds earned Blue a place in the Grand Final. Simon Berkefeld, Ben Young and Shaun Lock are the form players for Blue, while trio Harry Mules, Jackson Bowden and Jack Haggett have finished in magnificent fashion for Saints. Austin Fuller and Jackson Dean along with Harry Wright and Sam Lock play effective support roles for their respective teams. These players could have crucial impacts on the final outcome. It is almost impossible to select a winner except that when Simon Berkefeld suits up in a game the result will not decided until the final siren.

Team and Individual Awards will be presented on the Main Court of the Peter Seebohm Stadium.