What would have been the biggest shock of the MCDFNL A Grade season was avoided on Saturday, with Navarre clinching a spot in the top eight following a tight win over Avoca.
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The Grasshoppers dream of a fifth consecutive A Grade premiership is still alive following the three-goal win.
The reigning premiers fired out of the blocks in the first quarter, scoring 15 goals to six to gain a much needed early advantage.
Rebbekkah Seeary-Pye scored 10 goals from 11 attempts in a dominant shooting display to start the game.
Seeary-Pye finished with 31 goals from 38 attempts in a best on court performance.
Navarre coach Taylor Mason said it was an outstanding game from the goal shooter.
“Bek was crucial in our win,” she said.
“She shot beautifully. She is just so reliable with the ball in hand.”
Avoca fired back after its slow start, shooting 30 goals across the second and third quarters to cut the margin to just two goals.
“We tried to come out firing in the first quarter which we did,” Mason said.
“They made some changes to close the gap which worked well for them.”
With the game and their season on the line, the Grasshoppers won the quarter 11-10 to hold onto a three-goal victory.
The results from around the league fell the way of Navarre, with Maldon losing to Dunolly to fall one-game short in ninth position.
“We are stoked. We were really happy after the game,” Mason said.
“We did all that we could.
“We were definitely quite nervous after the game waiting to hear about the Maldon game but we were relieved when the results went out way.”
Navarre and Avoca will face off again next weekend after finishing eighth and fifth respectively.
Mason said her side will carry confidence from beating the Bulldogs during the season.
“We have beaten them twice now which is a nice mental edge to have,” she said.
“They will come out firing and give it everything they have got but we know that if we play our best netball that we are capable of beating them.”
“We have always got tricks up our sleeve but I am sure they do as well so it will be another interesting game.”
Navarre and Avoca games are more complicated for Mason than her other teammates.
“Personally I never like playing Avoca since my big sister plays for them,” she said.
“We usually match up on each other which is interesting since we know how we each play.”
All three of Navarre’s senior netball teams will feature in the 2017 finals.
“It is a huge credit to the club,” Mason said.
