Eagles rock
In a low-scoring game, the Eagles led narrowly at every change and were up by five halfway through the third quarter.
But Winch launched a fightback with Katrina Felice finding four unanswered goals to reduce the deficit to one with four minutes remaining in the term.
East held a two-goal lead that became five midway through the last quarter, but one final Winch challenge saw the scores at 27-24 in favour of the Eagles with just over two minutes remaining.
East Geelong steadied and stretched the lead out to five at the buzzer for a 29 to 24 victory.
In such a low scoring game, defence was on top and Eagles captain Maddie Solly was best on court at goal defence while fellow defender Steph Boyce was also superb.
Goal keeper Liv Barber and co-coach Maddi McKiernan at goal defence were the Blues’ best.
East Geelong’s Frankie Willson, this season’s Rookie of the Year, played in both of East Geelong’s premierships, also being an integral part of the 19 & Under win.
East Geelong coach Justine Radford paid tribute to Winchelsea and to her assistant Amy O’Neil.
“I absolutely couldn’t have done it without her (O’Neil), she gives them a spray when I’m too nice and then she’s not nice when I’m not so nice,” she said.
“The message today was, ‘be brave, go hard, stay connected and enjoy what you’re doing’ and I think you (the players) absolutely ripped it up.”
GEELONG & DISTRICT NETBALL LEAGUE
Grand finals
St Albans Reserve, Saturday 12 September
A Grade: East Geelong 29 def Winchelsea 24. Best: East Geelong – Maddie Solly, Alicia Kelton, Stephanie Boyce. Winchelsea – Liv Barber, Maddison McKiernan, Katrina Filice.
B Grade: Inverleigh 27 def Werribee Centrals 22. Best: Inverleigh – Vanessa Finley-McDonald, Melissa Whyte, Bailey Ryan. Werribee Centrals – Ruby Bouffler, Lara Robinson, Erin Robinson.
C Grade: North Geelong 31 def East Geelong 26. Best: North Geelong – Daria Beck, Brooke Mallia, Sarah Fitzsimmons. East Geelong – Dakota Ferguson, Jade Telfer, Amanda Borgia.
D Grade: Inverleigh 48 def Thomson 37. Best: Inverleigh – Lauren Fossey, Demi Holmes, Tiegan Lagalle. Thomson – Mackenzie Gorham, Teena Mifsud, Naomi Baker.
E Grade: North Geelong 33 def East Geelong 28. Best: North Geelong – Danielle Mosher, Shelbi Wilson, Jessie Williams. East Geelong – Brooke O’Leary, Georgie Arnold, Kellyanne Sheahan.
19 & Under: East Geelong 36 def Bannockburn 30. Best: East Geelong – Frankie Willson, Sylvie Jarvis, Mikayla Ferguson. Bannockburn – Lacey Penning, Ashley Carson, Charlotte Scanlon.
17 & Under: Bannockburn 32 def East Geelong 19. Best: Bannockburn – Pippa Brennan, Marli Levy, Ashley Carson. East Geelong – Maya Carlon, Dakota Ferguson, Samara Craig.
15 & Under: Bannockburn 19 def Inverleigh 18. Best: Bannockburn – Amelia Dudesin, Tara McClelland, Chloe Chapman. Inverleigh – Paige Mawson, Matilda Meek, Lowla Pettigrew.
13 & Under: Bannockburn 35 def Belmont Lions 15. Best: Bannockburn – Kailee Maaka, Maddy McClelland, Zayli Witney. Belmont Lions – Varko Gavin, Frankie Bensted, Grace Hepworth.
