Cairns Netball column: Finals take shape, teen steps up, school carnivals

All the netball news from around Far North Queensland is in Centre Pass, the Cairns Post’s weekly netball column.

Only two rounds remain in Cairns Netball Association’s Senior Division 1 competition and the finals picture is starting to become clearer.

It would take something catastrophic for the Phoenix Fierce to miss out the minor premiership, with a first-round loss to the Sharks the only blemish on their season.

Cairns Netball Association Senior Division 1 - Round 7. South Cairns Cutters v Phoenix Fierce. Cutters' Cassie Lavrick and Fierce's Jeda Nash. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

Sharks are destined to finish in second place and will be well positioned to defend their title in the finals, while Leps have locked up third spot.

Saints are fourth, but Cutters are a chance to sneak into the finals and will have the easier draw over the final two rounds.

■ Leprechauns recruit Grace Johnson has made a successful leap into Cairns Netball’s Senior Division 1 competition. The 16-year-old rising star has played two games for Leprechauns since making her Senior Division 1 debut for the club last month.

“She’ll give us that little bit of height in the circle, which has been lacking, and I expect her to be quite dominant,” said coach Kym McPhee-Smith.

2019 CISSA netball finals: St Mary's Catholic College v St Andrew's Catholic College. St Andrew's Grace Johnson. PICTURE: STEWART MCLEAN

MORE NEWS:

South Cairns young guns make cut for finals shot

Late Leps surge quells Cutters comeback

Far North set to host three Super Netball games

Under-18 wins set Brothers in good stead

■ The Fowlers Group Marlin Coast Netball Secondary School Carnival was held at Cairns Netball’s Martyn St courts yesterday.

More than 150 games were played by 37 teams across three divisions at the carnival.

St Mary’s topped the Grade 10/11/12 and Grade 8/9 divisions, while Trinity Bay took out the Grade 7 division.

Secondary schools usually compete in the Vicki Wilson Cup, hosted by Netball Queensland, but the annual tournament had to be cancelled this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Marlin Coast Regional Netball advertised a secondary schools competition and were overwhelmed by the response of schools in the district.

At last week’s Fowlers Group Marlin Coast Regional Primary Schools Carnival, Edge Hill defeated St Francis Xavier’s to claim the U12 division, while Isabella defeated Whitfield in the U10s.

Originally published as Cairns Netball column: Finals take shape, teen steps up, school carnivals