McIntosh Magpies swoop for Katanning Netball Association junior premiership in extra time over Kojonup Opals

McIntosh Magpies claimed the 2021 junior premiership in the Katanning Netball Association after a thrilling grand final victory in extra time over Kojonup Opals on Saturday.

It has been 15 years since Kojonup was in a junior decider and they had vocal supporters but Magpies prevailed by one goal in an absolute nail bitter.

The two sides went goal for goal for much of the match and they couldn’t be separated at the end of full time sending the game into extra time.

An intense two five-minute halves of extra time were played and the Magpies managed to shoot the last goal moments before the final whistle to claim the premiership, 28-27.

Piper Kennedy was best and fairest in the grand final.

The B-grade grand final started the day off with an epic contest between Kojonup 2 and All Stars 2.

The margin stayed at only a couple of goals until the final quarter when Kojonup 2 had a major injury in their defensive circle.

All Stars 2 prevailed 45-37 as Sedeena Woods was named best-and-fairest player in the decider.

C-grade was also a hotly contested decider with Kojonup 3 and Dumbleyung 2 travelling to Katanning each weekend to eventually reach the grand final.

In the end Kojonup 3 proved too strong for Dumbleyung 2, downing Dumbleyung 2, 60-38, as Monique Phillips-Ryder was named best and fairest in the decider.

Cardinals Force’s Maeve O’Brien was named best and fairest for A-grade ahead of runner-up of Nadine Milne from Kojonup 1.

Dumbleyung 1’s Phillipa Gooding was crowned the A-reserve best and fairest ahead of joint runner-ups Nakeesha Miniter (Kia Ora) and Amelia Nolan (Dumbleyung).

Courtaney Woods from Tambellup Bluebirds won the B-grade best and fairest from Cardinal Phoenix’s Tara Punch.

In C-grade Kojonup 3’s Phillips Ryder won the best-and-fairest award ahead of joint runner-ups Mia Hamon (Olympians 3) and Ashlyn O’Donnell (Dumbleyung).

The binaural Gail Butterworth volunteer of the year went to Davina Davies and Tina Briscoe.

Kristy D’Aprile was senior umpire of the year. Isabelle Marwick won the most improved junior in the seniors and O’Brien won the open division coaches’ award from the Great Southern Regional Championships.

In the junior awards Woods was named best and fairest in the junior competition and also won the junior umpire award.

Runner-up best and fairest was awarded to Mischa Rodney for NAB Lightning in the junior competition.

Kennedy won herself the development squad award and 15-and-under division coaches award from the regional champs.

Jamaia Urquhart was the 13-and-under best and fairest and Sofia Tunui was named 15-and-under best and fairest at the association championships.

Emily Davies won the 13-and-under coaches’ award from the regional championships.