Woodend-Hesket A-grade netballers continue to be the record setters, outclassing Wallan 59-34 in Saturday’s 2026 season grand final.
The winning margin of 25 goals was by far the biggest in the five Riddell League grand finals played at Romsey. Premierships in the other four grades were all decided by single figure margins.
Sunny conditions prevailed and partisan supporters from various clubs were out in force.
Could Woodend-Hesket A-graders make it a record four in a row in their fifth successive grand final?
Highly successful playing coach Tayissa Coppinger and off-sider Kellie Duff had the well-balanced Hawks primed for a big performance, staying calm and collected about the premiership battle ahead.
“Romsey beat ’em by 13 goals a few weeks ago … can’t see ’em winning,” one occasional netball follower stated before the match.
The answer was that the Hawks were nowhere near full strength on that particular day, and now it’s a full strength combination going out there to confront the Magpies.
Woodend-Hesket and Wallan finished in the top two positions, with the latter chasing its first A-grade flag in the RDFNL.
The addition of highly capable and experienced shooter Kaylia Stanton was a master stroke by the Hawks.
OUT TO AN EARLY LEAD
The first quarter began, there were quick positional movements and brilliant interceptions.
The Hawks steadied and their lead was slowly extended; when it reached double figures the warning signs for a Wallan side that had matched the Hawks for three quarters in their previous meeting were all too evident.
It was almost do or die for the Magpies when the third quarter began, but they could not build up a consistent scoring pattern to stop the Hawks scoring at the other end.
By three-quarter-time the lead was virtually insurmountable, and it blew out further as full time approached.
Wallan players produced some qualify netball across the match, and will have the challenge of wanting to bounce back in 2027.
Coppinger said afterwards she had always been confident the Hawks would be a strong chance, and while the victory might take time to sink in, there was no doubt in her mind that the Hawks had done precisely what was required.
The coach said all players had played their part, and they were really good to coach, staying loyal to the club.
Home-grown captain Sara Duff played her 100th game in the side, and her display was one of her best.
Stanton provided ample encouragement, and her swag of goals came from precision play. Being tall was a distinct advantage as well.
BEST ON COURT
Hawks’ goalkeeper Georgia Bowkett stayed in the position throughout, making it hard for talented opposition to find easy chances.
The 28-year-old Bowkett lives at Greensborough, and played with Wallan before coming to join the Hawks.
Sharing in four A-grade premierships is a fine reward for club loyalty by a talented player.
Expressing surprise she had won the best on court medal, Bowkett said she thought there were three players who may have been rated ahead of her … but she’s not about to give the medal back!
Coppinger has been re-appointed as head coach for 2027 and continues to be extremely keen to see younger players reach their potential.
This season Woodend-Hesket has four players who have moved through juniors and have now played over 100 senior games for the club.
This is how the Hawks lined up: Kaylia Stanton (GS); Natalie McDonald (GA); Emily Fitzgerald (WA); Sarah Duff (C); Jessica Martin (WD); Georgia Bowkett (GK); Subs — Holly Doricic, MacKenzie Svendson (Brown), Angelique Doherty — 100th game.