B Reserve, under 15s to fly All Blacks flag in finals

Some positives taken out of the game were the panthers never dropped their heads and gave 100 per cent effort all day. Some standout performances from the Panthers led the way.

David Button was outstanding in the midfield, winning plenty of contests. Tom Levy also worked hard through the middle, and Lachlan Norman had a great game up forward.

Although the results throughout the year haven't gone our way, the Panthers can hold their heads high knowing they stuck together to fight out a tough year.

Score: Benalla 4.8 (32) def by Greta 35.17 (227)

Awards: Tyrepower Award - David Button, Harry Brown Award - Tom Levy, Sports Power Award - Lachlan Norman

Reserves

The last game of the season saw Benalla travelling to Greta, and knowing it was going to be a tough outing, the boys went in with intent.

Jordan Smith was excellent down back with plenty of intercepts and created a lot of good ball movement out of the backline. Blake Marlborough showed his usual class all over the ground proving his dominance again. Tyrone Dellar dug in and competed all day in the ruck.

Greta was too polished and a class above the boys, proving why it is a strong finals competitor, as they defeated the Panthers by a big margin.

Score: Benalla 0.0 (0) def by Greta 23.19 (157)

Awards: Jordan Smith - Royal Hotel Blake Marlborough - Hollywood's Pizza Tyrone Dellar- Sportspower

Netball

A Grade

The final game of the 2025 season kicked off at a cracking pace, promising a thrilling contest between Benalla and Greta. Benalla matched Greta's intensity early on, trailing by just one goal at the first break in what was shaping up to be a tight battle.

However, early in the second quarter, momentum shifted when Jessie Ellis went down with an ankle injury. The loss proved a tough blow for Benalla, and despite its efforts, struggled to keep pace with Greta for the remainder of the match.

Despite the setback, there were plenty of standout performances. Elyse Felstead had a very solid game, starting in wing attack and later shifting to goal defence, where she worked tirelessly to stem Greta’s attack. Andrea Hooker was strong for all four quarters in goal keeper, making her opponent work hard for every opportunity. Emma Sangster also stood out in wing defence, applying consistent pressure and disrupting Greta’s midcourt flow.

While the 2025 season has come to a close, there’s plenty to be excited about. With strong individual performances and clear signs of growth, 2026 is already shaping up to be a promising year for Benalla.

Score: Benalla 30 def by Greta 60

B Grade

The Benalla Panthers were without several key players due to injury in their final game of the season, but thanks to the support of their talented juniors, they took to the court and made Greta work hard for their 63–25 win.

It was fantastic to see so many junior players stepping up to the senior level. Torah Heaps, Kiera Brown, and Alicia Langlands all brought valuable experience, having filled in throughout the season, while Ruby Crooke, Amali McKenzie, Isabella Lowry, and Harper Robertson made impressive B grade debuts. Each of the girls slotted in seamlessly, showing maturity, confidence, and the skillset to compete at senior level.

Melanie Reaper had an another strong game in the mid court, her exceptional work rate across the court was pivotal for the Panthers in transitioning the ball into the shooters. Holly Robertson had another standout performance in goal keeper, pulling in crucial intercepts and rebounds to help steady the defence. Up front, Kodi Mustey was a strong and reliable option in attack, combining well with the younger players and providing great leadership and guidance throughout the game.

Score: Benalla 25 def by Greta 63

Awards: Mel Reaper - Royal Hotel, Kodi Mustey - Stella Stella, Holly Robertson - Sportspower.

B Reserve

The Panthers travelled to Greta for their final game of the home and away season, determined to finish strong before finals. They came away with the win, but it was far from an easy feat against a determined Greta side.

The opening quarter was a tight battle, with both teams going goal-for-goal in a display of accuracy and pressure. The second quarter saw some smart changes, with McNair and Bradshaw finding their rhythm in goals, missing only one attempt between them and giving the Panthers some breathing space.

It was an extra special day for Bradshaw, who celebrated her 100th game in style, also notching her 200th career goal in the process. Joey Gall stepped into wing defence and immediately settled the team, applying immense pressure and creating vital turnovers.

However, every time the Panthers looked to break away, Greta fought back, refusing to let the game slip away. Catherine Dennis rolled out a full game in centre, displaying her trademark composure and compassion. Her ability to create space and opportunities for her teammates was instrumental in keeping the Panthers steady through the contest.

At the final siren, the Panthers had worked their way to a 10-goal victory, a confidence-boosting result and the perfect way to celebrate Bradshaw’s milestone, as they now set their sights on finals.

Score: Benalla 50 def Greta 40

Awards: Joey Gall, Brooke Bradshaw, Catherine Dennis

Under 17s

The Benalla All Blacks under 17s closed out their season on the weekend against Greta, going down 48-19. A very slow first quarter put them on the back foot, but the team quickly adjusted and played with far more confidence across the next three quarters, making it a much stronger contest.

It was great to finish the season with a full side on court and to see how much the group has developed over the year. Imogen Randell worked tirelessly in defence, reading the play well and tirelessly shutting down her opponent. She applied relentless pressure in the circle and provided strong drive through the court.

Alicia Langlands was calm and composed in the midcourt, steadying the play before making a smooth transition back into the defensive circle where she continued to impress. Eleanor Renkin provided smart leads through the midcourt and created great opportunities with her well-placed passes into the ring.

While the scoreboard didn’t go their way, the All Blacks showed grit and improvement right to the end. Congratulations to the under 17s on a great season.

Score: Benalla 19 def by Greta 48

Awards: Hollywood’s - Imogen Randell, McDonald’s - Alicia Langlands, Chill Out Smoothie Bar - Eleanor Renkin

Under 15s

For the final round of the year, the under 15s travelled to Greta on a cold Saturday morning to secure second place on the ladder. The first quarter was hard-fought by both sides, but the young Panthers brought strong defensive pressure saw them manage to edge ahead and take a five-goal lead into the second term.

Greta came out firing in the second quarter, but with Libby Renkin and Imogen English working tirelessly in defence and reading the play superbly, they forced multiple turnovers. This allowed mid court players Darcie Jackson and Sharni Hughes to deliver some beautiful feeds into the attacking circle. At half time, the team was urged to lift their intensity across the court - both in attack and defence - and to ensure they maintained balance in their play.

The third quarter proved to be their best of the game. With outstanding communication and strong leads to the ball, the Panthers extended their advantage to a nine-goal margin. Heading into the final term, the players were praised for their efforts but reminded that the job wasn’t finished. They needed to carry their momentum into the last quarter to finish their game strong and secure second spot on the ladder.

In the end, it was a brilliant team performance built on composure, communication, and relentless effort. Coach Jemma Smith is beyond proud of the team’s development and dedication throughout the year and is excited to see what they can achieve in the upcoming finals.

Score: Benalla 45 def Greta 38

Awards: Stella Stella Award - Harper Robertson, Benalla McDonald’s Award - Sharni Hughes, Spot 4 Ice cream - Lola Crook