With the Bellarine Netball League entering a general bye this weekend, Justin Flynn takes a look at Ocean Grove’s run home and future prospects in all grades.
A GRADE
Undefeated and primed for a three-peat. The Grubbers have had some tough games – namely against Torquay and Newcomb – but pulled together to will themselves over the line. Top three is a formality and only a loss to Geelong Amateur in round 17 stands in the way of a minor premiership.
B GRADE
Injuries have hit hard, but Grove is still in third spot despite three losses from the past three games. The grubbers have a tough run home with Drysdale (2nd), Geelong Amateur (1st) and Torquay (5th) to finish off the home and away season.
C GRADE
Like their A Grade clubmates, the C Grade team is unbeaten with a three-game gap on Torquay. With the minor premiership all but secured, the side will face three sides in the five over the final five rounds – Drysdale, Geelong Amateur and Torquay. A perfect lead-in to the finals campaign in which a rest during the first week is all but guaranteed.
D GRADE
Ocean Grove clings to fifth spot by a tiny amount of percentage from Drysdale. The team faces three sides currently in the top five – Torquay (1st), Barwon Heads (2nd) and Geelong Amateur (4th). Add a clash against Drysdale to the mix and it will be a tough run to make finals. The Grubbers have dropped their past two games by a combined total of five goals.
E GRADE
Half a game clear on top of the ladder, Ocean Grove faces Geelong Amateur (2nd), Torquay (3rd) and Barwon Heads (4th) and will start heavy favourites against Newcomb (9th) and Drysdale (10th). They should finish top three and guarantee a double chance.
19 & UNDER
It has been a learning year for the 19s with four wins and finals seemingly out of the equation. The Grubbers are in 6th spot, but are four and a half games outside the five, which seems a bridge too far. Matilda Bish has played B and C Grade netball this season.
17 & UNDER DIVISION 1
Unbeaten and on top of the ladder, top three is guaranteed and if they can beat Ammos (2nd) in round 17, they will earn a week’s rest come finals time. Emma Barry has also played a full season in E Grade where she has shot 236 goals to go with the 295 in the 17s. Ella Brown has had exposure to senior netball this season while several of the girls have gone up to the Under 19s.
17 & UNDER DIVISION 2
Undefeated with just a tie against Ammos in round 7, this side is pretty much guaranteed a double chance come finals time. The girls face three sides currently in the top five in the run home with the round 17 likely to decide the minor premiership.
15 & UNDER DIVISION 1
Sitting in 7th spot, two and a half games adrift of 5th, the Grubbers should win their next two and will probably need to win two of the other three – a tough task against Drysdale (4th), Ammos (1st) and Torquay (2nd) and hope other results go their way.
15 & UNDER DIVISION 2
Only a tiny amount of percentage separates Ocean Grove (2nd) and top side Drysdale. Top three is practically a certainty with the round 16 game against the Hawks likely to decide top spot.
13 & UNDER DIVISION 1
The Grubbers will play finals. Where they finish is very much unknown. Currently 4th with a small amount of percentage separating them from Drysdale, it could come down to the round 16 game to see who gets 3rd.
13 & UNDER DIVISION 2
Top of the tree and undefeated with a mammoth percentage (888.24), it could come down to the round 17 game against Ammos (2nd, 837.29) to see who finishes top.
