On-target Finigan sets up win with third term blitz

Magpies 1 have set up a third straight grand final showdown with Royals Saints 1 after advancing from last Saturday’s Albany Netball Association A1 preliminary final.

Magpies got off to a hot start, jumping opponents Narrikup as they led by as many as seven in the first quarter before Narrikup managed to stop the run a bit and trail by only four goals at the first change.

Both sides defended very well in the second quarter as the margin remained four goals at half-time.

Star Magpies shooter Brittany Finigan produced a dazzling display in the third quarter, as she pushed the margin out to six goals by the last change on the back of 13 goals at 100 per cent for the quarter.

Narrikup tried to fight their way back into the game in the last term, outscoring the Magpies eight goals to six but it was not enough as they fell short, 34-38.

Finigan worked well with goal shooting partner, Caitlyn Wheatley, while defender Grace Hardiman was also a strong contributor in the win that sent Magpies into a fifth grand final in six years.

Magpies coach Lisa Goodliffe was delighted with her team’s performance in a preliminary final.

“I’m super proud of our girls — we have worked so hard to get here and coming from fourth is a great effort,” Goodliffe said.

“We always knew that we could do it, a big key to winning the game was our shooters, Britt and Caitlyn worked so well together and worked out the defenders.”

Narrikup coach Lisa O’Farrell said her team gave everything they could.

“Even though it’s disappointing we lost, there is no better way to finish the season than to fight right till the end like we did today,” she said.

“We left nothing out there on the court and I couldn’t be prouder of my girls.”

Defensive pair Bree Dale and Darcy Kerr were solid in defence while Kristie Slater ran hard in centre the entire game.