Townsville Premier League netball finals locked in after thrilling battle for second place

The semi-finals of Townsville’s Premier League netball have been locked in following the final four games of the regular season. Catch up on Monday night’s action and see who’s playing finals.

Townsville Premier League netballers (L-R) Hilary McKenzie, Shakira Koskela, Megan Tomarchio, Amy Butterworth, Meghan Marbelli, Amie Taylor, Phoebe Stothart and Anna Child ahead of the 2024 Pre-Season Cup final. Picture: Shaantel Hampson / TCNAI

The semi-finals of Townsville’s Premier League netball have been locked in following the final four games of the regular season on Monday night.

Defending champions Saints will face Runaways in a qualification semi-final next Monday at 6.30pm – with the winner instantly progressing to the decider – while the losing team will face the winner of an 8pm elimination semi-final between the Burdekin and Highlanders.

The top four standings were only finalised after an epic 60-minute battle for second place this week where Runaways finished ahead of the Burdekin Silverlinks 59-53, earning a vital second chance in the impending finals.

It was high stakes for two teams that had already booked their tickets to the post-season.

In the end it was a fourth-quarter charge led by Bianca Theodore’s fearless shooting that got the red-hot Runaways over the line.

Jessica Freeman, Bianca Theodore and Imogen Everson playing in Townsville's Premier League netball in 2024. Picture: Townsville City Netball Association Inc.

Theodore drained all nine of her attempts in the final period of the game while Jorja James shot a perfect eight of eight as Runaways pulled away.

Two of Townsville’s top sides could barely be split as they trades blows, neither taking more than a two or three goal lead at any given moment.

Burdekin seemed to have an easier time scoring through shooter Mackenzie Linton, who finished 48/52, but perseverance and an ability to score tough shots kept Runaways in touch, entering the final quarter locked at 42-all.

Burdekin Silverlinks GS Mackenzie Linton shoots for goal. Picture: Shaantel Hampson / TCNAI

The goals dried up for the Silverlinks in the final quarter, shooting 11/17 as Alyssa Golding and Keely Warcon tightened the screws in defence, while Runaways scored 17 goals with the same amount of shots.

There’s every chance we’ll see these team face each other again in the preliminary final and what a match that would be.

Highlanders also pulled away in the final quarter to beat Marian Vixens 54-37.

Finals-bound Highlanders were tough on defence as they held their opposition to 13-5 in the final term to secure the club’s eighth win of the season.

Minor premiers Saints scrapped out a 51-37 victory over Neptunes, although Neptunes GS Lasharna Oswin was the best shooter in the game with an accurate 32/37.

Phoenix and the First Nation Academy of Excellence Roos bowed out of their seasons with an entertaining match, which Phoenix claimed 63-44 off the back of tremendous shooting by GS Shamika Griese who finished 46/56.

Premier League semi-finals begin on Monday, August 26, at Townsville Stadium from 6.30pm.

Originally published as Townsville Premier League netball finals locked in after thrilling battle for second place