Sport

Eagles get beaks ahead in 17-and-under

By Matthew Kappos

Sep 20, 2025

Echuca United earned the 17-and-under premiership in a thriller over Moama. Photos: Jordan Townrow.

Echuca United has narrowly claimed the 17-and-under netball title in a thrilling finish at Moama Recreation Reserve.

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The Eagles fought back from a second-quarter deficit to take control in the third, eventually escaping by a single goal 47-46.

It was neck and neck throughout the first period, as neither side could break centre pass.

Moama eventually made a move late in the term and got out to a 15-12 lead.

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Moama commiserate after coming within seconds of tying the game. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

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Georgia Emonson and Maya Harris get on it for United. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

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Echuca United’s Coby Morgan won best-on court in the final. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

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Moama’s Tia Knight claims it high. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

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Echuca United’s Azahlia Palmer moves it through the mid court. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

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Echuca United share an embrace at the final whistle. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

It looked as if the defending champion may get away in the second, stretching the advantage to six goals, but in a key turning point of the game, the Eagles reeled off six straight to get things back on level term.

So it remained at the break, 24-all.

It was United that got the jump after the halftime break, but the Eagles couldn’t push more than a handful of goals ahead.

Moama got back level, but United again made a fourth-quarter run, looking like they may seal it, up 47-44 with around 60 seconds remaining.

Moama pulled back two and was making a final attack when the siren sounded, although very few on or around the court could claim to have heard it due to the sheer volume of noise coming from both sets of supporters.

However, at 47-46, the umpires signalled the end of play as the Mowers were making a final goal circle entry, Moama seconds short of potentially sending it to overtime.

“Just absolute pure relief,” Echuca United coach Leesa Hooppell said.

“I can’t believe we got over the line, excited for the girls.

“There’s a lot of girls there today that haven’t even been in a final, let alone a grand final so (I’m) extremely proud and excited.”

The briefly confusing finish slightly delayed celebrations but it was soon party time for United.

“I actually didn’t hear the siren,” Hooppell said.

“I knew it was close, because I had a timer, but there’s were a couple of time (offs) that got called during the last quarter.

“It wasn’t until all the girls were running that I went oh, we’ve got it, we’ve won it.”

The turning point in the second quarter, when her side was down six goals and roared back to parity, came down to the continued tenacity of Hooppell’s side.

“I think we just kept at them,” she said.

“That was our game plan going in.

“If they get ahead we need to stay on their hammer and just keep pushing, keep putting the pressure on so that’s what we did.”

League best-and-fairest Coby Morgan added another medal to her cabinet, taking home best on court in the final.