On Friday September 10 the Mininera and District Football League and Netball Association held a joint meeting and decided to declare the 2021 season over with no finals series to be played.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Mininera and District Netball Association administration secretary Chris Boyd said the choice was made to cancel the rest of the season was in the best interests of the club, to erase any lingering uncertainty.
Got a story to share? Get in touch - james.halley@austcommunitymedia.com.au
"The main message we received was that clubs would prefer a decision to be made now rather than linger for another few weeks to wait and see what happens," she said.
"We should be grateful that we have at least been able to take to the courts and get together to some extent.
"While it has been challenging, we are very grateful to the leaders at our clubs for their input as well. We have some very capable people in charge and hope that we can all take a break, recharge and come back bigger and better next year."
READ MORE:
Boyd said she was grateful how the MDFL and MDNA were able to come together and work together in such a difficult time.
"We also acknowledge the work of the MDFL Board and thank them for the way they have involved netball in their decision making. If nothing else, this season has been a big step forward in bridging the gap between our two codes," she said.
Being less than one week removed from when the MDNA grand finals were due to take place, it seems fitting to look back at the season that was.
A Grade netball
Final 5:
1 Woorndoo Mortlake
2 Glenthopmson Dunkeld
3 Penshurst
4 Tatyoon
5 Great Western
Minor Premier: Woorndoo Mortlake
Woorndoo Mortlake Tigers team:
Coach: Ashlea Spokes
Team Manger: Bianca Maher
Runner-up: Glenthompson Dunkeld
Glenthompson Dunkeld Rams team:
Coaches: Joanne Amott, Emma Sommerville
Team Managers: Kathy Sommerville, Gary Sommerville
Players: Kel Sommerville (Captain), Eve Duckmanton, Amy Knight, Laura Pyke, Georgia Hodge, Emma Sommerville, Jessica Field, Nicky Lowe, Joanne Amott,
The A grade Grand Final was set between the undefeated minor premiers, Woorndoo Mortlake and their great rivals, runners up Glenthompson Dunkeld. This match was set to be a rematch of the 2019 grand final when the Rams claimed the title with a 58 to 30 win. When the sides met in round seven Worndoo were victorious, winning 38-22.
B Grade netball:
Final 5:
1 Penshurst
2 Woorndoo Mortlake
3 Glenthompson Dunkeld
4 Ararat Eagles
5 Hawkesdale Macarthur
Minor premier: Penshurst
Coaches: Jessica Roll, Lauren, Killen
Team manager: Jodie Bennett
Players: Melanie Robertson, Alice Whitehead, Casey Rook, Georgia Rentsch, Jemma Casey, Jessica Roll, Kathryn Pickett, Lauren Killen, Nyrie Adams, Tahlia Nagorcka
Runner-up: Worndoo Mortlake
Coach: Jenna Clark
Team Manager: Kylie Casson
Players: Sarah Muir (Captain), Shona McGuigan, Brodie Humphtry, Brooke Eldridge, Ashlea Ranken, Taylah Casson, Erin McGuigan, Isabella Gilbin, Elise Killen, Abbey Burford
Penshurst dominated the home and away season, taking out the minor premiership. The Bombers finished the season with 10 wins and a draw. Runners-up Woorndoo Morlake had a terrific season, finishing with just one loss for the season to minor premier Penshurst. When the sides met in round nine Penshurst won 42-30.
C Grade netball
Final 5:
1 Great Western
2 Penshurst
3 Moyston Willaura
4 Glenthompson Dunkeld
5 Ararat Eagles
Minor premier: Great Western
Coach: Jessica Notting
Team Manager: Alanna Woods
Players: Natalie Bennett, Kyla Pearse (Captains), Kim Hay, Madison McCartney, Kimberley Crabtree, Felicia Dunford, Jacqui Ralph, Kate Martin, Rebecca Gilbert, Elyza Gooden
Runner-up: Penshurst
Coaches: Miranda Pye, Michayla McRae
Team Manager: Bethany Mirtschin
Players: Joanne Rentsch (Captain), Shaylee Walkenhorst (Vice Captain), Annie Mullins, Ashleigh Crane, Jacqui Jones, Libby Rentsch, Megan Mibus, Miranda Pye, Shannon Kelly
Great Western finished the season three games on top of the ladder. The teams that finished second to fifth were all on 32 points, including runners-up Penshurst. When the two clubs met way back in round one, Great Western was victorious 26-25.
Under 18s netball
Final 5:
1 Penshurst
2 Hawkesdale Macarthur
3 Glenthompson Dunkeld
4 Moyston Willaura
5 Great Western
Minor premiers: Penshurst
Coach: Sinead Hasell
Team Manager: Tania Hill
Players: Jemma Casey (Captain), Georgia Rentsch (Vice Captain), Tegan Kenny (Vice Captain), Abbey Hill, Alice Whitehead, Chloe McKenzie, Laine Kelly, Libby Fox, Libby Rentsch, Sophie Rentsch
Runner-up: Hawkesdale Macarthur
Coach: Nicole Hunt
Team Manager: Jodie Nicholls
Players: Olivia Nield (Captain), Sophie Parfrey (Vice Captain), Grace Cowland, Emasyn Bellville, Emily Gordon, Kaitlin Parfrey, MacKenzie Davidson, Maddison Sharrock, Mikaylah Sharrock, Montanya Young, Niamh McCrohan, Alexandra Lewis
Penshurst were dominate all season in the under 18s age group, ending the season undefeated. Runner-up Hawkesdale Macarthur only lost one game all season. When the two sides clashed in round eight Penshurst defeated Hawkesdale Macarthur 25-13.
Under 15s netball
Final 5:
1 Great Western
2 Woorndoo Mortlake
3 Penshurst
4 Glenthompson Dunkeld
5 Moyston Willaura
Minor premier: Great Western
Coaches: Kyla Pearse, Kiara Pitcher
Team Manager: Abbey Moar
Players: Chloe Moloney, Makala Basset (Captains), Amelia Fleming, Emily Kelly, Tamika Moyle, Miley Shalders, Ebony Spurway, Molly Walker-Sutton, Eden Woolley
Runner-up: Worndoo Mortlake
Coach: Brodie Humphrey
Assistant Coach: Sarah Cameron
Team Manger: Jenna Clark
Players: Elise Killen (Captain), Ava Wardlaw, Jordan Rohan, Hannah Leske, Lucy Barry, Bridie McGuigan, Olivia Schurring, Zoe Leske, Mia Richie, Lily Schurring
Great Western were undefeated in the under 15 age group, with their round one draw to Penshurst the only blemish to their record. Woorndoo Mortlake's only loss this season was in round six at the hands of Great Western by one goal.
Under 13s netball
Final 5:
1 Penshurst
2 SMW Rovers
3 Wickliffe Lake Bolac
4 Lismore Derrinallum
5 Moyston Willaura
Minor premier: Penshurst
Coach: Casey Rook
Team Manager: Becky Blanchett
Players: Anna Rentsch (Captain), Matilda Whitehead (Vice Captain), Noni Blanchett (Vice Captain), Adele Cook, Holly Rook, Jessica Mibus, Marli Blohm, Nellie Mullins, Sophie Hill, Sophie Whitehead
Runner-up: SMW Rovers
Coaches: Leesa Hamilton, Peter Hamilton
Team Manager: Linda Coutts
Players:Dervla Hayward (Captain), Sophie Read, Sophie Walker, Cheslea Jose, Kyra Rouhan, Parker Hamilton, Maggie Atkinson, Casey Jose, Catherine Coutts, Grace Read, Charlotte Box
Penshurst went through the under 13 and under grade undefeated and runner-up SMW Rovers won nine matches from their 11 matches. When the sides met in round five the Rovers lost to Penshurst 24-4.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Stawell Times-News. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the region, sign up here.