WAVERLEY District Netball Association (WDNA) has cleaned up at the 2021/22 Junior M-League Grand Finals night, winning three titles from three deciders. In the top grades of the Under 18s Mixed, Under 18 Boys and Under 15 Boys, the association claimed all three flags in comfortable wins.

UNDER 18 MIXED:

The tightest result was that of the Under 18s Mixed Grand Final, with WDNA Red triumphing over Doncaster District Netball Association (DDNA) by 13 goals, 57-44. Both sides were tight in the opening quarter to head into the first break with 11 goals apiece, but the top side kicked away win the second with a 17 goals to 11 second term. The move of Sophia Bloch from goal attack (five goals) into goal shooter (12) paid dividends, with Quinn Spencer coming onto court in the second term for Dejay Elliott to pair with Bloch in the shooting circle.

The third term was again tight, with another 11-goals apiece quarter, before WDNA Red found the extra gear in the final stanza, piling on 18 goals to 11 to take home the win. Millie Hogg won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her outstanding performance in centre for the entire game, as Bloch finished with 33 goals, whilst Spencer had 15 in a half. Leona Hristovska (34 goals) stood out in goal attack for DDNA in the loss, whilst Josh Ferris worked hard in goal defence.

UNDER 18 MIXED GRAND FINAL:

WDNA Red (57) defeated DDNA (44)

UNDER 18 BOYS:

WDNA Panthers took care of Darebin in the Under 18 Boys decider, getting up by 26 goals to more than double their opponents score. The Panthers showed why they were the team to beat all year, winning all three four quarters and setting up the win with a 28-9 first half. They did not slow down, comfortably winning the second half as well, though Darebin fought right to the end to only lose the last quarter by one goal (8-9).

Zac Mabilia was outstanding for the Panthers, playing three quarters in centre and one in wing defence, to provide plenty of drive in the grand final. Nick O’Meara came on to score 19 goals in the second half, sharing the load with Shane Maniapoto who played the entire game in the goal circle and finished with 21 goals. Jamie Shannon tried hard in the loss for Darebin, scoring 11 goals.

UNDER 18 BOYS GRAND FINAL:

WDNA Panthers (51) defeated Darebin (25)

UNDER 15 BOYS:

Completing the set, WDNA Black won the Under 15 Boys title, also defeating Darebin like the Under 18 Mixed grade, getting up by 40 goals. WDNA raced out to a 17-4 quarter time lead, and by half-time had 35 goals to 10 on the board. Not ever looking like giving up the lead, WDNA won the final two terms 12-6 and 12-5 to run away with the contest, 59-19 in emphatic fashion.

Kai Hickcox won MVP for his work in goal attack, scoring 30 goals in the victory, pairing well with O’Meara playing another grand final (21). Jonty Strickland was another crucial player in the midcourt, playing between wing defence and centre, while Matthew Lorback spent three quarters in centre. For Darebin, Luka Tse-Farrell scored nine goals in goal attack, with Michael Jones and Christopher Petroyiannis up against it in the defensive goal circle.

UNDER 15 BOYS GRAND FINAL:

WDNA Black (59) defeated Darebin (19)