Netball
18 August, 2025
Kalkee finish third with win over Bombers
As the final round of the home-and-away season concluded, the A grade netball finals are set, with Kalkee’s victory over Noradjuha Quantong on Saturday helping move them up to third on the ladder.
Heading into the last round, Kalkee needed Rupanyup to defeat Laharum while also winning their own game against the Bombers to finish in the top three.
Playing at Quantong, little separated the two sides early on as the home side entered the first break with an 11-10 lead.
As Noradjuha Quantong continued to make positional changes throughout the game, Kalkee’s strong defence continually forces turnovers and difficult shots on the Bombers, with the visitors taking a 24-18 lead by half-time.
But the Bombers quickly fired back in the third quarter, imposing their own defence as Taya Quick capitalised on the shooting end, making it a 31-31 game at the final break.
The Kees managed to reignite their second-quarter play, with key defensive plays minimising the Bombers’ opportunities while Jarrah Martin continued to convert quality looks provided by her teammates.
Kalkee eventually finished as 48-39 winners.
Amelia McRae in centre and Emily Polack in goal defence were among the standouts for the winning side, while Taylor Shelley and Holly Nuske impressed for Noradjuha Quantong.
Jarrah Martin converted 29 goals, with Casey Rentsch adding 19 from goal attack.
Quick led the way for the Bombers with 24 goals.
Kalkee coach Paula Weidermann said she was happy to finish the last round with a win that ensured they finished in the top three.
“To finish it off with a strong performance on Saturday was extremely rewarding,” Weidermann said.
“We knew getting a win on Saturday would have placed us in second or third, depending on percentage."
Asked about the team’s final quarter, Weidermann said a strong focus on defence was crucial in helping them get the victory.
“We had lots of defensive turnovers throughout the game,” Weidermann said.
“Going into the last quarter we knew we just had to ensure we tightened our defence and took the opportunities to capitalise and reward the girls on their turnovers.”
At Rupanyup, the league leaders hosted a Laharum side missing multiple key players, including Maddi Iredell.
With the Demons having handed the Panthers their only defeat of 2025, Rupanyup were keen to reverse that result and showed their intent early, leading 12-6 at the first break.
The Panthers continued their momentum on both sides of the court throughout the game, holding a 25-14 lead at half-time and a 39-21 lead at the final break before winning 49-29.
Zanaiya Bergen led the way for Rupanyup with 25 goals while Holly Ross continued her strong season with a good performance in both wing defence and goal defence.
Courtney Taylor led Laharum with 18 goals, with Jemma Thomas having a solid performance at goal attack with 11 goals.
Along with Kalkee’s victory, the result moved Kalkee into third while Laharum finished fourth.
At Stawell, the Swifts prevailed over Pimpinio in a 52-49 thriller.
After an even opening quarter the Swifts were able to get a 31-24 lead at half-time, but a sharpshooting third quarter from the Tigers produced 16 goals as they levelled the game at 40-40 at three-quarter-time.
The Swifts quickly got out to a slight lead at the start of the fourth before eventually holding on.
Michaela Carey shot an impressive 30 goals from 36 attempts for the Swifts, while Jane Slorach registered 28 goals from 33 attempts for the Tigers.
Another tight encounter took place at Natimuk, where Taylors Lake raced out to a 15-7 lead in the opening quarter.
The Lakers managed to hold the lead for most of the game as Natimuk United slowly reduced the deficit.
After Natimuk briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter, Taylors Lake managed to finish strongly, claiming a 43-38 victory.
Chloe Klem was one of the best for Taylors Lake, leading the team with 20 goals.
Natimuk’s Keeta Scown impressed in goal defence, while Emma Uebergang scored a game-high 33 goals.
Harrow Balmoral finished their season on a high, producing a 44-38 victory over Kaniva Leeor.
Playing at Kaniva, the hosts got the edge over the visitors in the first half, leading 20-16, but a 16-goal fourth quarter ignited the Southern Roos' comeback.
Mia Rees led Harrow Balmoral with 30 goals, while Ruby Gordon knocked down 19 for the Cougars.
