![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2024\/08\/kylehowetipene_88169-1-682x1024.jpg?_t=1724821758\")
<\/p>\n
Edie Easterbyand Poppy Venn lifted the momentum to have Saints trailing by two points, going into the final 10 minutes.<\/p>\n
From here on Cougars showed composure and took control, while Saints were desperate, sometimes not choosing high percentage shots.<\/p>\n
Keryl Ousey and Ambah Beveridge each score six points in Cougars 16- point quarter, while Saints could only muster six.<\/p>\n
Saints\u2019 Ashlee Dean was named MVP for the Grand Final, after her strong and effective defensive efforts inside the paint.<\/p>\n
The men\u2019s grand finalists had contrasting entries in to the final game of the season.<\/p>\n
Panthers, not at full strength, scored easily against a gallant Cougars, who missed the strong work of injured junior Albert Peters.<\/p>\n
Bulldogs, on the other hand, were involved in a contest of attrition against Saints in their semi-final.<\/p>\n
Each team had the bare five players, a couple in each not fully fit.<\/p>\n
Bulldogs set up an eight point lead early and hung on to it despite several surges from Saints. Harry Wright did well to hold Jackson Bowden to 10 points while ever-green Simon Berkefeld scored a game high 32 points.<\/p>\n
Reliable Duncan Reid, nursing an injured ankle did not suit up for Bulldogs and injured, promising Teangi Stephens was missing from the Panthers\u2019 squad on Sunday night.<\/p>\n
It was all Bulldogs in the first half of the final as they took full advantage of Panthers\u2019 ineffective zone defence.<\/p>\n
Simon Berkefeld and Sam Lock were seen at their best, making baskets from all points of the compass.<\/p>\n
It was vintage Berkefeld, having 29 points at half time and Sam Lock scored 14 in the second quarter.<\/p>\n
Scores suggested that Bulldogs were in control and likely to pull off an upset, leading 58-44 at this stage.<\/p>\n
Panthers knuckled down early in the third, led by Kyle Tipene and stronger work inside by brothers Hein Rob and Mason along with Brad Jachmann, closed the margin to minimum points before a further 15 point haul by Berkefeld had the margin back to six at the final break.<\/p>\n
After a truly magnificent effort Bulldogs could not hang on after five minute mark and took the lead with four to play, then went on to score a somewhat lucky win, 99-92.<\/p>\n
The highlight of the game was the personal tally of 47 points built by the unassuming Simon Berkefeld, who is consistency personified in his basketball achievements. He was deservedly named MVP of the Grand Final.<\/p>\n