The 2019 State League season has come to a close, with the completion of the Grand Finals, this past weekend. With all 3 grades seeing the defending premiers come up against new challengers for the title this year, we were set for some great korfball.

As always the final scores, ladders and leading goal scorers can be found on the State League Page.

C Grade

We’ll start with the C Grade Grand Final, as the first match of the day. The game saw Boomers, who finished on top of the ladder. Taking on Arista, who finished second. These two teams had met five times throughout the season, with Boomers taking the season series 4 games to 1.

With both teams taking some time getting used to the size of the court. It was Boomers who struck first scoring the first couple of goals to build an early lead. With the momentum on their side they continued to play some good korfball, getting repeat efforts on the attacking ends and defending well. However goals would be hard to come-by as the half wound down, with the defence of both teams lifting for the final few minutes to see Boomers take a small lead into the half time break.

The second half saw a sluggish start, similarly to the first. Boomers started stronger early, before Arista closed the gap, with a couple of goals in quick succession. However it wasn’t to be enough, as Boomers regained the momentum, scoring a couple of more times in the last 8 minutes to push the lead out, before the siren rang out. Sparking celebrations for Boomers players and fans, as they claimed their third straight C Grade Premiership, winning 16-8.

The top scorers for the match were Boomers duo Stefan Scragg and Ben Walter, with 4 goals apiece. Whilst for Arista, three players, Antony Marshall, Bruce Bungey and Tessa Rice, scored 2 goals each.

B Grade

The second game of the day saw the B Grade Grand Final, with Boomers, who finished on top of the ladder, taking on Glenelg who finished the season in second place. These two teams had met three times throughout the season, with Glenelg having the advantage, winning two games with one draw as well.

The match started with a bang with both teams going goal for goal, throughout the duration of the first half. Before Boomers got a couple of goals late in the half, to take the lead into the half time break. However as the half time break approached, an injury to Glenelg saw them down to three girls and would have to play short at one end.

With the short end now, Glenelg’s defence rose to the occasion keeping Boomers out, whilst continuing to apply pressure from their attacking half. Allowing them to cause some crucial intercepts to allow them to have repeat attacks and they would go on to capitalise on a few of those opportunities. Boomers, on the other hand, struggled early against the short end, before they were able to put together a couple good attacks to regain composure in the match. The game was then tight for the remaining minutes, as the final siren rang out with the score 11-9 in favour of Boomers. Who were able to claim their second premiership in a row.

The top scorer for the match was Boomers’ Jack Curran, with 4 goals in the win. Whilst for Glenelg three players, John Chan, Issy Vardas and Toni Bell scored 2 goals apiece.

A Grade

The final match of the day saw the highly anticipated A Grade Grand Final, between North and Glenelg. North entered the game after finishing the season in first and gaining direct qualification through to the Grand Final. Glenelg finished the season in third and made it to the Grand Final after their stunning win of Arista in the Preliminary Final. These teams met three times throughout the season, with North claiming all three games in the season series.

The game started eerily similar to the Preliminary Final, with Glenelg starting hot, taking a quick 3-1 lead. Before North went on to the score 6 of the next 7 goals. To take a 7-4 lead into the first break. The second quarter saw North continue on with their scoring, with a further seven goals in the quarter.  As the margin grew to 7 goals at the major beak, 14-7.

The second half saw North dominate the game, as they scored 8 goals in the third quarter to Glenelg’s five. To push the lead out to 10 goals at the final change. With Glenelg having almost no answers to North’s attacks, with shot clock beating goals dropping for North. It just looked like it was supposed to be their day.

The final quarter saw North continue to hit the scoreboard. Scoring another 8 goals to Glenelg’s 2 to push the final margin out to 16. As North would go on to claim their 3 A Grade Premiership in a row, winning 30-14. Sparking scenes of celebration of those in red and white within the arena.

The Top scorer for the match was North’s Megan Papalia, in a superb performance with 9 goals. Whilst for Glenelg Patrick Branford was their top scorer with, 6 goals in the defeat.

Congratulations

A huge congratulations goes out to North and Boomers on their success in 2019, as they enter 2020 as the hunted once again.

We look forward to seeing you next season for another great State League Season. But keep an eye on the page for all the information for upcoming offseason activities