Seymour's Elle Nexhip was a step ahead all afternoon to secure the Lions a top-six spot.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
The Goulburn Valley League A-grade netball’s round 18 was anticipated to be wild, and it certainly lived up to the hype.
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With finals spots and double chances on the line, clubs fought tooth and nail for a top six spot.
And now, the ladder is set, and finals beckons.
Stunningly, Euroa claimed top spot after the home and away season.
After a walk in the park against Kyabram, winning 107-16, the Magpies would score the minor premiership via a draw between Mooroopna and Echuca.
Despite its unlikeliness, Euroa got its wish.
In a gripping affair at Echuca South Recreation Reserve, the Cats overcame an early quarter-time deficit of four goals to create a nail-biter finish.
Mooroopna clawed its way ahead in the final term, but with a double chance on the line, Echuca charged home with nothing to lose.
However, salvaging a draw was still enough for Mooroopna to hold the advantage on the ladder by two premiership points, with the Cats booked for a double-chance final against Euroa, while Echuca is now set to play an elimination final against Shepparton.
Meanwhile, it was a drought-breaking day for Mansfield.
Despite the Demons defeating Echuca in round 17, Shepparton United was thoroughly well-beaten by the Eagles on Saturday, the 55-35 result handing Mansfield a finals berth.
Rising from a four-win season in 2025, the Eagles’ mid-season purple patch turned out to be more than just a phase, the round 18 victory slotting the blue and gold into fifth.
Shepparton claimed its third straight win ahead of finals, beating Rochester 68-51 to lock in sixth spot, climbing from outside the finals equation at the most opportune time.
Across at Tatura Park, it was Tatura left heartbroken by the aforementioned results.
The loser of the Bulldogs and Seymour clash were left to pray other scorelines would fall their way if it was to avoid final round agony, with the defeated side to slide down the table outside the top six for the first time all season - unless the Eagles or Bears lost.
However, with both Mansfield and Shepparton securing victory, Tatura’s 39-47 loss to the Lions has bundled the Bulldogs out of the finals equation.
Centre Elle Nexhip was terrific through the mid-court, playing a crucial hand in winning turnovers and scoring off Tatura centres.
The Lions have finished fourth after the victory, and will face Mansfield in an elimination final.
Seymour's Bridie Cantwell dishes off one handed.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
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Tatura's Zoe Hayes dumps the ball after the umpire's whistle.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
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Seymour's Lucy Zotti thrusts the Lions into attack.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
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Seymour's Ellie Black takes possession.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
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Tatura's Ella Harvey gets on the front foot.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
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Seymour's Elle Nexhip was a step ahead all afternoon to secure the Lions a top-six spot.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
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Tatura's Elise Boyer resets play.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
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Tatura's Elise Boyer fires to a leading teammate.
Photo by
Jazzy Johal
Additionally, the Shepparton Swans did everything right to earn itself a finals spot, but its courageous mid-season draw against Mooroopna ultimately proved the difference for the wrong reasons.
A two-point differential on the ladder saw the Swans finish seventh despite boasting a better percentage than sixth-placed Shepparton, a dampening ending to a fantastic streak that kept the Swans’ finals pulse beating until the last round.
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