Harcourt Football Netball Club is celebrating after all four of its grand final contenders won their respective premiership showdowns in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League at Princes Park Maryborough on Saturday.
The Lions Seniors capped off their undefeated season with an 11-point win over Carisbrook to claim back-to-back flags.
The Lions 17 & Under, 15 & Under and 13 & Under netballers also came out on top adding another three cups to the Harcourt FNC trophy cabinet!
It was an incredible day for the local region with six of our local contenders claiming premiership honours including the Maldon 17.5s footballers and the Newstead 11 & Under netballers.
The Newstead 11.5s footballers and Trentham C Grade netball sides were unable to go all the way but should be incredibly proud of their stellar 2023 seasons.
In the Seniors showdown, it was a case of deja vu with Harcourt taking on last year’s runner-up Carisbrook who were looking for redemption.
However, the Lions signaled their intentions early smashing on six goals to two in the opening term to lead by 23 points at quarter-time.
To their credit, Brook lifted in the second term and kicked two goals while holding Harcourt to one straight kick to bridge the gap to 14 points at half-time.
The third quarter was a real arm wrestle with both sides applying a huge amount of pressure and only getting two goals each on the board.
The Lions held a 16-point advantage at the final break.
Carisbrook did not lay down and in the last term kept coming at the Lions, kicking three goals.
But Harcourt held their nerve, kicking two in reply to run out winners and secure back to back flags by 11 points.
The Lions’ Jordan Gartside won the Best on Ground medal.
Brook’s Harry Butler won the AFL Victoria Country Best on Ground.
Harcourt’s Alex Code lead the way with 3, Thomas Walters, Jed Rodda, Brayden Frost 2, Baxter Gurd and Kalan Huntly kicked 1 each.
Top contributors included Brayden Frost, Kalan Huntly, Thomas Walters, Cameron Anderson and Bryce Frost.
In the Reserves, Carisbrook had a 36-point win over Natte Bealiba.
Maldon triumphed in the 17.5s Football Grand Final defeating a spirited Carisbrook by 21 points.
The Donners made a strong start kicking three goals to the Redbacks’ one in the opening term.
Brook bounced back in the second stanza and kicked three goals while holding the Bombers to just one for the term and at half-time Maldon led by one straight kick.
Maldon must have received a rev up from their coaching staff at half-time as they came out firing after the break and kicked another two goals and stifled Brook’s attempts on goal, keeping them to just one point and extended their lead to 21 points at three-quarter-time.
Brook felt their finals hopes fading and threw everything they had at the Dons in the last term kicking another four goals. But Maldon showed their class answering the challenge with four of their own to win by 21 points.
Maldon’s Noah Thompson was named Best on Ground and the AFL Victorian Country Best on Ground medal went to teammate Xavior Noy.
Noy was on fire kicking 4 goals, Flynn Rowbottom 2, Brodie Doyle 2 and Thomas Smith 1.
Other top contributors were Callum Buchanan, Lochie Holman, and Blayne Cananzi.
In the 14.5s Football Carisbrook had a 90-point win over a valiant Avoca.
The 11.5s football final saw Newstead give their all against a dominant Natte Bealiba going down by 33 points.
Best for the Steaders were Fian Blundell, Jack Elliott, William Garsed, Elwood Ebery, Xavier Britt and Wilbur Bunting.
Netball
A Grade champs were Avoca who defeated Carisbrook 51-39. Best on Court was Stacey Blair of Avoca.
In B Grade, the tables were turned and the honours went to Carisbrook 33 who defeated Avoca 22. Best on Court was Brodey McKay of Avoca.
Trentham gave their all in the C Grade grand final but opponents Avoca eventually ran away with a 29-21 point win. Best on Court was Matilda Davis from Avoca.
Harcourt’s 17 & Under side 35 accounted for a determined Royal Park 23. It was an emotional match signalling Royal Park’s final match before the club merger. Best on Court was Tegan McKay from Harcourt.
15 & Under saw Harcourt 33 defeat Royal Park 22. Best on Court was Harcourt’s Madeline Springate.
In the 13 & Under final, Harcourt 35 triumphed over Natte Bealiba 12. Best on court was the Lions Ellie Clifford.
The Newstead 11 & Under Netballers 14 defeated Natte Bealiba 12 in a close battle that went down to the wire. Best on Court was Scarlett Ramsey from Newstead.
