Tara Murray
A second half comeback from Riddell fell just short in the Riddell District Netball League grand final on Sunday.
Facing Woodend-Hesket in the decider for a second straight year, the Bombers were hoping to turn the tables and get that premiership they were after.
The Hawks started the better of the sides and led by five goals at quarter time and eight at half time.
The Bombers threw everything at the Hawks getting the margin back to one goal in the third quarter before it before it blew out again.
They threw one last attack in the final quarter and were again on the charge, but it wasn’t enough, losing 46-41.
Bombers coach Emily Ktona said they threw everything at them but it wasn’t enough.
“We were down 10 early in the game, but fought it back to two goals,” she said. “I’m really proud of the girls’ efforts but there’s always next year.”
Ktona said they had been trying their best to start strong and she felt they did early in the first quarter before the Hawks came into the game.
The Bombers were without Australian under-21 midcourter Ruby Shannon. Ktona said they knew after the semi finals that she wouldn’t be available but they had played several games without her this season to work around it.
After falling behind, the Bombers looked to make some changes.
Meredith Ball came on goal attack, Ellen Close in wing attack, Lauren Nolan in wing defence and Eliza Burge in goal defence.
The first three were the Bombers most experienced players.
“I think Meredith Ball’s experience on Ty Coppinger was a game changer for us,” Ktona said.
“She’s been playing for many, many years and she did an awesome job on that great defence end Woodend has.
“Eliza Burge come on and did a really great job in defence too. Hasn’t had a lot of game time for us this season.”
The Bombers kept fighting in the second half to try and close the gap, but the Hawks had all the answers.
Ktona said it’s the Riddell spirit.
“We don’t stop and we’ve done it all year,” she said. “We’ve had so many close contests and we were down by 10 goals at one stage and still fought it back all the way to one, two goals.
“Super proud of their efforts. It stings and it’s devastating for the girls two years in a row, but we’ll be back next year in 2025 better than ever.”
It was a mixed day for the Bombers with their under-19s winning in extra time and B-grade going back-to-back, but their C-grade side fell just short.
Ktona said it’s really great for the club to be in the position to have four sides in grand finals.
