KNA 2025: Allstars through to grand final, Kojonup left to fight it out in preliminary finals

Katanning Netball Association was set for a sturdy day of competition on Saturday, with junior games kicking off the preliminary finals.

Juniors had top team Kojonup Sapphires go down to second-placed NAB Lightning.

A stunning season with only one fault, it was not the right time to fall short for the Sapphires.

Lightning hammered down at the beginning and created a comfortable buffer to work with, finishing the game with scores at 52-16.

With Lightning straight into the grand final, the Sapphires will need to work hard in the preliminary final to make the grand final.

QFH Vixens and Nutrien Firebirds put on a good show for everyone, with a fight of all fights for a spot in the prelims as the two teams went until the final whistle.

A goal for goal game, each team attacked and defended their opponents like a mirror.

It was all down to the last minute with a turnover to create a one-goal buffer, but the Firebirds found an extra goal to lock in the win 40-38.

Seniors had hearts pumping on and off the court, as A1 had Cardinals Force and Olympians 1 taking on the battle for the preliminary final.

Quarter by quarter, the game was closely contested with a score not too far apart.

Olympians 1 held strong with an end of game goal boost, ending Cardinals’ season with a 46-35 victory.

Allstars 1 and Kojonup 1 had an almighty battle, with scores reflecting the game load involved in each end.

Allstars emerged victorious and Kojonup now need to battle on in the the preliminary final if they want to reach the decider.

A2 had Allstars 2 and Kojonup 2 up against each other, a gritty battle between two top teams.

Scores had only a few goals between them, Kojonup found extra fire at the end to try to chase Allstars down, but finished with a one-goal loss.

Te Taitonga 2 had a hard fight against Olympians 2, with both teams playing hard for a win.

Olympians had a damaging lead in the first half, Te Taitonga had the momentum to catch up, however couldn’t make it over the line ahead of their opponents, leaving Olympians to take the win.

In the A3 finals it was a battle between Kojonup and Allstars.

A similar scenario to both other grades, these two teams hammered down and both wanted the win.

Nail biting all the way through, it all came down to the dying minutes.

Allstars had the fire to push on and came out victorious, putting them straight into the grand final.

Te Taitonga 3 had Cardinals Fever to compete with, both teams taking wins in the seasons against each other.

With the extra grind and flare, Te Taitonga3 powered home in the last quarter and upped their score nicely to give them the win and the chance to fight on another week.