Moama is the 2024 Murray 13-and-under champions, defeating Cobram 45-15 in the grand final. Photos: Aidan Briggs
After dominating the 2024 Murray Netball League 13-and-under competition, it was no surprise to see Moama take the championship in dominant fashion.
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The Magpies were well on top against Cobram and strolled to the title, winning 45-15, at Moama Recreation Reserve on Saturday, September 21.
The Tigers put up an initial fight against the minor premier in the opening minutes, but the Magpies demonstrated the quality that brought them to the decider undefeated, leading 16-8 at the first break.
Moama defeated its opponents at a rate of 597 per cent in the regular season, conceding just over 100 goals in the season, and that defensive pressure revealed itself in the remainder of the game.
The Magpies conceded just two goals in the second period while piling on 14 to be well in control at 30-16 at half-time.
Defenders Abby McCarty and Kayla O’Grady were giving nothing away in their goal circle, and Cobram was unable to mount an effective attack.
Cobram’s Emily Collins searches for options.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
At the other end, the Magpies Evie Clarke and Lucy Smith were draining goals with efficiency.
Moama continued the pressure in the third, and the result was all but decided by three-quarter-time.
The foot came off the throttle slightly in the final period, but the Magpies had done more than enough to take the title.
“To be honest, it hasn’t really sunk in,” coach Rachael Whitelegg said.
“For the first few minutes I was very nervous about how the day would end, but they came out and showed everybody here today why they’re the number one team in the league.”
Hayley Lebner looks to start the attack with a centre pass.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Moama continues to produce quality junior netball sides, earning the 13-and-under title for the third successive season.
With the members of the 2022 squad now all aged up into the 15-and-under, this year a new crop of netballers continued to dominate in their stead.
Whitelegg credited her squad for coming together so quickly as a new group, improving on their own benchmark week by week.
“These girls have come together, a new team this year, and they’ve just got better every week,” she said.
“They back each other. They’re an absolute pleasure to mentor and coach this season, an absolute delight and a bunch of great kids.
“Their parents should be very proud of them, and they should also be very proud of themselves, they really deserved the win.”
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