Live stream replays: Contax and Matrics claim Netball SA Premier League and Reserves silverware
Contax has emerged victorious over South Adelaide and claimed back-to-back titles after two periods of extra time in an epic Netball SA Premier League grand final. Watch all the PL and Reserves replays here.
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Contax launched an epic comeback in the second half of extra time to win one of the great Netball SA Premier League grand finals over South Adelaide and claim back-to-back titles.
South Adelaide, playing its first ever Premier League grand final, led by five goals after the first of two extra time periods but it was Contax who stormed home behind the fantastic play of shooter Kayla Graham, who won MVP of the night, to claim a dramatic 64-63 win.
The victory was not without controversy however, as dominant Panthers goaler Maggie Kerr was sent off by officials with three minutes remaining after she was adjudged to deliberately delay play, leaving South Adelaide a player down to close out the game.
Contax exploded out of the gates in the first term, taking advantage of a nervous Panthers outfit through commanding play by leader Chelsea Blackman and defender Jaz McKay and an efficient display by Graham in attack.
The reigning premier led by four goals at the first break and by six at halftime despite a more positive quarter by the Panthers which saw Maggie Kerr, star attacker Jess Paradiso and centre Charlotte Veart feel their way into the game.
While McKay and Blackman continued to impress defensively for Contax, it was South Adelaide who would take control of the game in the third term, with Ashleigh Bray making a number of key plays in defence and Paradiso beginning to dominate in attack with crafty movement and passing.
RESERVES GRAND FINAL REPLAY
The sides went into the fourth term all square and could not be separated before what would be a dramatic two periods of extra time, with Paradiso scoring a late leveller on the final fourth quarter whistle.
Paradiso, Kerr and South Adelaide landed the first blow to open added time through seamless ball movement and strong mid court pressure to hold Contax to just four goals and add nine of their own.
The tide would gradually turn in the final period of extra time however, with Kayla Graham (38 goals), Tabitha Packer and Jazmine Noye all producing when it mattered as Contax used its momentum to seal the victory.
Earlier, a surge late in the third quarter gave Matrics an eventually insurmountable lead in the Reserves grand final, with Grace Stevens putting on a show in the goal circle to give her side a 47-45 upset premiership win over a previously undefeated Contax.
Matrics started the faster of the two sides, with Stevens (36 goals) and Emily Sibley dominating in attack while Jemma Kelly and Georgia Kraft produced a top drawer display in defence to keep a potent Contax attack at bay.
While Matrics led by eight early in the fourth, Contax did not let their heads drop and remarkably cut the deficit to a goal through strong play from attacker Jazmin Noye before Stevens and Sibley sealed the win in the final seconds.
Impressive C/WA Audrey Jones was awarded the MVP for the Reserves game after a standout performance across the court linking up in defence and attack.
PREVIEW: HISTORY UP FOR GRABS
South Adelaide will chase their first-ever Netball SA Premier League title when they take on reigning premier Contax in what is shaping as a grand final for the ages.
The Panthers hit top form in ending Garville’s season last week, winning the preliminary final 73-55 to book a spot in their first Premier League big dance, but will need to overcome a strong Contax side aiming for the club’s second straight title.
It will be the first grand final not contested between Contax and Matrics since 2018, when Contax took on Garville.
You can watch all the action from the Premier League and Reserves grand final double header LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV from 6.45pm on Friday.
Check the full LIVE STREAM schedule below.
“I think mentally it was a great response and a lot more positive than the semi-final a week before against Contax,” star attacker Jess Paradiso said of the win over Garville.
“It was a great feeling. You can play for years and not make a grand final, so the fact we’ve done it and now have a chance to win is very exciting.
“Our preparation has been really good. We’ve had a great week on the track just focusing on our game plan and what we can improve on after last time out against them, so we’re feeling reasonably confident.”
South Adelaide finished top of the ladder after the preliminary rounds having defeated Contax twice, but the defending premiers beat them by 13 goals in the major semi-final.
Paradiso said the side was looking to make some adjustments for Friday night.
“We struggled a bit offensively in that game, so we’ve done some work around what we can do to combat the effectiveness of the Contax defence,” she said.
“They’ve got a strong attacking end as well so we know we need to be at our best in every area.
“We know that making the grand final is history for South Adelaide and it would mean so much to us girls, the coaching staff and the club to be able to go all the way.
“We have a fantastic support crew in the stands, so we’re not alone and we want to celebrate with them.”
Contax has experienced a number of challenges with player availability after winning the 2023 grand final over Matrics, but showed what they were capable of in the major semi-final to earn a two-week break.
Coach Leanne Eichler said her team was ready for the challenge of winning another grand final.
“The girls are ready have been working really hard through the past couple weeks,” she said.
“Our reserves are obviously also in the grand final. so the vibe around the club and the intensity of training has been great.
“It’s been a tough year with rotations and injuries as well, so we’re proud to have gotten through the adversity to put ourselves in this position.”
Eichler said the team was confident after their strong finals win over the Panthers.
“We take confidence from that result because we didn’t beat them in the minor round, but we know they’ll come out firing,” she said.
“We just need to focus on our game and what we control. Hopefully we can achieve the ultimate success at the end of it all.”
Contax will take on Matrics in a clash between modern rivals for the Reserves title.
REPLAYS: Panthers power into Netball SA Premier grand final
South Adelaide bounced back from their heavy major semifinal loss to set up an intriguing grand final showdown with Contax next Friday night. Catch up on the Reserves/Premier REPLAYS.
REPLAYS: Contax celebrate huge double at one of Netball SA’s big nights
Contax are through to the grand finals in both the Netball SA Premier and Reserves competitions. ALL REPLAYS from Friday night are now available to watch.