By David Nagel
ROC proved the dominant club in Outer East junior netball on Saturday, claiming all three premierships on offer.
Two were won comfortably, while an overtime thriller provided a thrilling start to the day.
Here’s how the three games unfolded.
17 UNDER
ROC 34 def Wandin 23
Best on Court: Declan Gallard (ROC)
ROC’s complete domination of junior grades on Outer East grand final day was rubber stamped with a comfortable 34-23 win over Wandin in the 17-Under premiership decider.
Already crowned champions at 13 and 15-Under levels, the Kangaroos wasted no time in making sure a clean sweep was a very real possibility.
ROC started the game brilliantly, scoring 10-5 in the opening quarter to have the Bulldogs on the back foot.
Caitlyn Bell, Hayley Cunningham and captain Jade McGuire were terrific for the Kangas through the midcourt, playing free-flowing netball when in possession and putting the clamps on Wandin in defence.
Ashlin Cattanach and Declan Gallard were strong and determined for the Kangaroos at the defensive end of the court, while Kaelah O’Shanassy and Grace Pryor were making the most of their scoring opportunities.
Wandin fought back well in the second quarter, winning the stanza 6-5 to cut the margin back to 15-11 at half time.
But any hopes of a complete revival were squashed by the Kangaroos in the third quarter, with a 10-3 scoring blitz ending the game as a contest.
Delaney Breeden and Mitzi Henry had an impact in the third term as the Kangas kicked out to an 11-goal lead at three-quarter time.
Katie Strickland then came off the bench in the final quarter, playing Centre, as ROC cruised to its third premiership success in a matter of hours.
Gallard was a well-deserving best-on-court medal winner after a dominant defensive game in the circle.
15 UNDER EAST
ROC 35 def Monbulk 21
Best on Court: Audrey Raja (ROC)
An unbelievably good first half has propelled ROC to a clinical 35-21 triumph over Monbulk in the 15-Under grand final at Officer.
The Kangaroos bounced out of the blocks with real purpose, storming out to a match-winning 13-3 lead at quarter time.
Molly Allen and Sanuli Bandaranayake simply gave nothing away in defence, while Emeelia Granger and Audrey Raja were sharing the load beautifully in attack.
Granger and Raja were being well supplied by midcourters Nicola Henshaw, Macy Watt and Raegan Ruddick as the Kangaroos played some of their best netball for the season.
ROC kept the foot down in the second term, scoring 12-5, to take a 25-8 lead at the half-time interval.
Monbulk showed great courage to bounce strongly in the third, with players like Isabelle Cross, Lara Stenhouse and Isla Stubbs helping to cut the deficit to 29-16 at the final break.
ROC players Maggie Le Guier, Indiana Mayne and Taya Spencer tried their best to deny the Hawks a comeback, with ROC in a commanding position with one quarter of the season left to play.
The last quarter was a real arm-wrestle, with the Kangaroos happy to protect their lead against an improving Hawks outfit.
The Kangas outscored the Hawks 6-5 in the final period of play to take out this year’s premiership cup.
Raja was named the best-on-court medal winner after showcasing her classy skills in Goal Attack.
13 UNDER EAST
ROC 23 def Narre Warren 21
Best on Court: Amelia Pryor (ROC)
Outer East grand final day could not have started in more spectacular fashion with ROC overcoming Narre Warren, 23-21, in an overtime thriller.
Narre Warren led 6-5 at quarter time with Chanelle Frazer, Olivia Lamb, Tiana Tufuga and captain Mahli Tonumaipea all playing fantastic netball.
But ROC refused to give up easily and took the lead at half-time after a 6-3 blitz in the second quarter.
Winnie Henry, Stella O’Kelly and Hope Ioriano were fantastic for the Kangaroos through the midcourt, while Tess Jones and Mia Spencer were proving a lethal combination in the circle.
Both teams scored four goals each in the third quarter to leave the Kangaroos with a two-goal cushion with a quarter left to play.
The Magpies fought back with real courage, with Frazer and Isabel McCarthy scoring four goals between them, while defenders Lamb and Jersey-Marie Pirere made scoring extremely difficult for ROC.
After four quarters; scores were locked at 17 each.
ROC made its move in the first period of extra time, opening up a handy break that would carry it through to a premiership.
Stephanie Bowes, Charli Maher, Beth Noonan, Amelia Pryor and Amelia Quinn all had bright moments for the Kangaroos; the 2024 13 Under East champions.
Pryor was named best-on-court for her fantastic game as Goal Keeper.
