THE PARKVILLE Panthers and Geelong Cougars will fittingly contest the 2021/22 Victorian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (VMMNA) Mixed Premier Division Final, after winning their respective semis on Wednesday night. The top two sides booked their place in next Wednesday’s decider with wins over Melbourne Quakes and Valley Wolves to justify their place at the top of the M-League table.

Parkville certainly established itself as the team to beat this season, remaining undefeated the entire way – including a Round 10 victory over the Cougars – and celebrated with a 19-goal win over Melbourne Quakes in the semi-final. The Quakes came into the match as heavy underdogs, but surprised the Panthers early, racing to a 14 goals to 11 lead. Rebecca Winch (eight goals) and Jayden Cowling (six) stepped up to get the ball rolling for the fourth placed side, as Caitlin Cooke and Simon Cartwright were holding don the fort up the other end.

After a quiet first term, it took just one quarter for the Panthers to click, As Connor Lilly – who shot five goals in the opening term – went to town with 11 goals in the second quarter. He and Amy Starzer formed a strong duo in the shooting circle, and Parkville piled on 18 goals to eight, to go from a three-goal deficit to a seven-goal lead. Riley Richardson was instrumental again in centre making his return having missed a couple of weeks, battling will with Billy Mahoney, whilst Jake Hederics and Georgette Paatsch got back on top up the defensive end.

Both sides had an even third term of 15 goals apiece, but again the Panthers came out firing in the last term, sinking 21 goals to nine, and winning by 19 in total, 65-46. Starzer and Lilly were able to share the load in the shooting circle as Elli Leydin was able to feed the duo, and Richardson control the midcourt. For the Quakes, Winch remained dangerous every time she had an opportunity, but the front third was always under pressure from the Panthers’ defence.

Meanwhile in the other game, Geelong Cougars accounted for Valley Wolves by 11 goals. The Cougars piled on 19 goals to five in the opening term to eventually set up the win from there. Cameron Allum slammed home 16 goals in the term, and would finish with 39 for the match before resting in the final quarter. The Cougars lost the second term by a goal (15-16), but soon got back on top, winning the third by four (16-12). They had done more than enough to secure the win, running out 56-45 winners.

Though the Wolves had a good regular season, the Cougars were always the better side, with Mel Bragg and Jake Noonan controlling the midcourt. That midcourt will be facing a stiff test up against the Panthers next week, with both teams littered with talent across all thirds, setting up a massive 2021/22 Mixed Premier Division final.

M-LEAGUE MIXED PREMIER DIVISION SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:

Parkville Panthers (65) defeated Melbourne Quakes (46)
Geelong Cougars (56) defeated Valley Wolves (45)