2025 Netball Australia First Nations Tournament: Watch Day 5 of the carnival here
Traditional rivals Queensland and NSW Waradas fought out a thrilling grand final at Sunday’s Netball Australia First Nations Tournament, with the Waradas claiming gold. Watch the REPLAYS.
NSW Waradas have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, overcoming defending champs Queensland to claim the Netball Australia First Nations Tournament gold medal in an overtime thriller on Sunday.
In a contest that was well worthy of what was up for grabs, it was the Waradas who reversed a 16-goal defeat against the Maroons on Saturday to a 53-51 win just 24 hours later.
The loss was Queensland’s first of the tournament after going through the round stage undefeated.
NSW’s Mia Evans was named grand final MVP after a stellar game in centre court.
After trailing at both the first breaks, it appeared that the dream of two consecutive titles for Queensland may have been just that.
WATCH THE FULL MATCH REPLAY ABOVE AND SUNDAY’S OTHER GAMES BELOW
But despite the Waradas scoring the opening four goals of the second-half, a spirited Queensland fightback ensured this game still had plenty of twists and turns.
A six-goal deficit was eventually cut to two before a run of six straight Queensland goals late in the third-term saw scores deadlocked at 29-29 with under two minutes before the final break.
Queensland would then score three of the next four before the siren to take an unlikely two goal lead into three-quarter time.
But the Waradas wouldn’t go down without a fight and re-took the lead early in the final quarter.
Scores were tied again at the eight-minute mark, with Queensland’s Georgia Lindsay going 1/3 in consecutive shots to keep the Waradas in the game.
Charlotte Ryan then locked scores again with a 90 seconds on the clock before teammate Jayda Grant helped NSW snatch the lead with just over a minute to play.
But some smart attacking play off Queensland’s centre pass, allowed the defending champs to maintain possession long enough for captain Lily Cubby to score once more and send the game to overtime.
It was much of the same in the overtime period, with the two trading the lead four times before the Waradas eventually claimed the gold.
In Sunday’s other medal matchup, it was Lutruwita (Tasmania) that knocked off host state Victoria to claim the bronze medal.
The 35-25 win was a stellar showing from the girls from the Apple Isle, who led at every change in an impressive display.
REPLAYS
2025 First Nations Tournament Day 5 Presentations
TAS v VIC (bronze medal)
SA v WA
ACT v NT
PREVIEW
Grand final glory will be up for grabs when the final day of the Netball Australia First Nations Tournament begins on Sunday.
After four days of high-quality competition, the final day of action in Victoria will see both the gold and bronze medal matches wrap up what has been another successful edition of the tournament.
It all kicks off from 9am, with the 7th v 8th playoff, before the 5th v 6th playoff follows at 10.15am.
Medals will then be up for grabs from 11.30am with KommunityTV to once again bring you all the action live and exclusive.
See the full schedule of play below.
Reigning champions Queensland will head in as favourites for the gold after knocking off their closest rivals – and potential grand final opponents – NSW Waradas 51-35 on Saturday.
They followed that up with another dominating win over Lutruwita (Tasmania) – 40-21.
They head in as the only undefeated side with NSW Waradas only loss the one they suffered at the hands of Queensland on Saturday.
Lutruwita locked themselves into Sunday’s bronze medal match with a 38-30 win over the ACT to start Saturday’s proceedings.
They’ll face host state Victoria who ensured their spot win a hard-fought win over Northern Territory late on Saturday.
Originally published as 2025 Netball Australia First Nations Tournament: Watch Day 5 of the carnival here
