The Contax Netball Club have defended their title in the League division while Matrics Netball Club reigned supreme in Reserves as thousands descended on Netball SA Stadium for The Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League Grand Finals.
The night started with an epic clash between long-time rivals the Contax and Matrics in the Reserves Division.
Contax, as the reigning premiers, came into the match-up as favourites having claimed the minor premiership and gone undefeated for the entirety of the 2024 season.
The opening three quarters was a tight affair as the two sides went goal for goal for the majority of the first 45 minutes of action.
Just before the three-quarter-time whistle, Matrics started to pull away to take a 6-goal lead into the final break.
The Blues sought answers as they swung changes across the court in the final quarter, and it worked.
With three and a half minutes to play, there was just 3 goals in it.
A late turnover in Matrics’ attack line almost gave Contax the opening they needed to take back the lead, but a crucial intercept by goal attack Emily Sibley meant the Stars maintained their 4-goal margin with 2 minutes to play.
Calm under pressure, Matrics were able to weather a late storm to upset the minor premiers and claim the trophy with a 47-45 victory.
Matrics midcourter Audrey Jones was named Most Valuable Player of the Match.
In the League division, it was a battle between the reigning premiers, Contax Netball Club, and the minor premiers, South Adelaide Netball Club.
Contax were hot out of the gates, forcing two early turnovers to start the game 5-0.
South slowly built into the match and a series of key gains meant they entered the first break down by 4 goals, 10-14.
The two sides went goal for goal for most of the second quarter until Contax were able to push their lead out to 6 goals at half-time, 30-24.
South started the second half strong to quickly bring the margin back to 3 goals and another crucial intercept from goal keeper Ashleigh Bray brought the scoreline back to just 1.
A short pass call against Contax saw South capitalise and take the lead for the first time in the match with 6 minutes to play in the third.
At three quarter-time, scores were level as both sides sat on 38 goals apiece.
It was just as close in the final quarter and nothing split to the two sides with five minutes to play.
In the dying moments of the quarter, South goal attack Jess Paradiso slotted a goal to send the game into overtime.
South started overtime with a bang, taking a quick six goal lead and finishing the first period of overtime up by 5 goals, 61-56.
Contax got on top in the second period of overtime to bring the margin back to 2 with 2 minutes to play.
With just over 2 minutes to play, South goal shooter Maggie Kerr was sent to the bench by the umpire as South faced the final minutes with just one goalie.
Contax were able to capitalise on a two-on-one in South’s circle to take the lead in the dying moments.
At the final buzzer, it was Contax who reigned supreme, defending their title with a 64-63 victory.
The Blues’ goal attack Kayla Graham was named Most Valuable Player of the Match.
