Allstars1 win A-grade gold as Katanning Netball Association catches grand final fever

Allstars are the A-grade premiers after a strong grand final performance in the Katanning Netball Association on Saturday. The KNA held their deciders for senior and junior competitions at Katanning Leisure Centre in front of a big crowd. The highly anticipated grand finals were battled out with fierce competition from everyone who stepped out on to the court. After 17 weeks of competitive netball, Allstars 1 would face Kojonup 1 in the A-grade grand final. Allstars were strong favourites after only dropping one game all year and looked dangerous from the first whistle. Kojonup showed a lot of fight but could not limit their opposition’s firepower inside their attacking circle and Allstars powered to a 28-goal win, 69-41. Allstars claimed the title leaving Kojonup a little defeated after such a strong season. Allstars’ Kei-Leigh Miniter claimed best and fairest for her brilliant performance in the grand final. In A-reserves a rejuvenated Cardinals Force claim a two-goal win in an epic battle against Allstars 2. The Force have toiled at the bottom of the ladder for years but this season they proved they had the talent to match it with the best. Up against a mighty team of Allstars players, the match was never going to be easy for the Force. The ravenous Force snagged a two-goal buffer late in the piece and managed to hold on to a 53-51. In the B-grade Allstars 3 flexed their muscles with a strong 13-goal win over Te Tationga 2. The last time the two sides met was in the qualifying final where Allstars 3 booked their grand final berth in a one-goal thriller. Minor premiers Allstars 3 would ensure the game would not get that close again and they claimed the gold medal in their 44-37 win. In C-grade the unlikely Cardinals Phoenix become premiers after defeating Kojonup 3 by three goals. After finishing in third, a win against the minor premiers in Kojonup 3 would seem like a mammoth task. With only a couple of goals difference with little time left, the Cardies pumped up their game right at the end and secured a 42-39 win. The junior competition saw Nutrien Firebirds beat NAB Lightning to win the premiership. Leah Edwards won best and fairest for the 2023 season while WA State player Lara Rodney was named runner-up. Net-set-go kids had a last game at midday and had a crowd to show off too. All receiving their participation medals there were smiles all around. Katanning Netball Association is planning an over-30s carnival to be held in November this year. The KLC also run a social netball short season during the term four of school.