LEARMONTH has staked its first Central Highlands Netball League A-grade grand final spot since 1994 – and that was a match the Lakies lost.
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In the Ballarat Football League, North Ballarat City has its chance to play for the club’s first A-grade flag since a failed bid two seasons ago.
Both clubs entered finals undefeated this season.
Learmonth lost its qualifying final a fortnight ago, falling five goals short of Buninyong, but pushed past Ballan in a semi-final and claiming a seven-goal win against defending premier Skipton at Learmonth on Saturday.
Only one goal split Learmonth and Skipton at the final break. Learmonth was forced to reshuffle early in the fourth quarter when wing attack Rachel Cahir rolled her ankle, and the Lakies’ versatility proved the key.
Learmonth coach Jordan O’Keefe said it felt so good to get past the preliminary final hurdle. The club’s A and B grade teams have reached the grand final and will continue to train as a full senior squad this week.
“We’re really relieved and happy to be part of a grand final week,” O’Keefe said. “It’s been a long time for the club, it’s my first A-grade final as a coach, and it’s really important for all the girls that have never played in a final at this level before.”
Learmonth awaits to learn its rival. Buninyong and Springbank face off in a preliminary final on Sunday.
Meanwhile, City has kept its unbeaten streak intact in the BFL A-grade.
City surged through to the BFL final with an 18-goal win against Lake Wendouree in a semi-final at Eastern Oval on Saturday. The result sends the Lakers into a preliminary final against the winner of tomorrow’s East Point and Sunbury showdown, also at Eastern Oval. City can enjoy a two-week grand final build-up.
North Ballarat coach Annie McCartin said everything fell into place for her team, in a true full-team effort. City held an eight-goal lead at half-time and hit hard in the third to take a 22-goal lead into the final term.
“We’re so excited to be able to say we’re in a grand final now,” McCartin said. “I’m so proud of the girls. I said to them to just work as a team and do the job you’re assigned and they did exactly that.”
