Hamilton, Belmont set up grand final rematch with one-set victories over Waratah, Shortland9/11/2018
Season 10 closed out with Hamilton taking a 10-4 victory over Belmont in the grand final, pulling away from a 4-all half-time scoreline to dominate the second half and lift the trophy for a record fifth time in the Newcastle Dodgeball League. Now, despite finishing in fourth place during the regular season, the Beavers have a second chance at redemption when they come face to face with their finalist rivals next Thursday evening, an opportunity they earned by upsetting first seed Shortland in a come-from-behind 7-6 victory in the semi-finals. It was a tight contest in the first clash of the final four on Thursday evening, as the Scotchies climbed to an early lead against Belmont, but in the end experience won out for the team in blue and gold, as they recovered a slow first half to claim a handful of set wins on the bounce and move just a single set ahead in the final round of the contest. Belmont's road to the semi-final saw them take on Raymond Terrace in the earlier quarter final, as the Raccoons again gunned for a final four position after making the finals for the first time in their organisation's history last season. The Beavers weren't the team to let them pass however, as they confirmed their match against Shortland with a 10-4 victory, and rounded out that leg of the finals. On the other side of the bracket, Kotara and Waratah entered the first round of finals as the sixth and third seeds respectively, but in the end the match couldn't have been much closer - the Cobras finished the clash with a 9-6 win, but their final three set wins split the 6-all tie heading into the final stretch of the match. Up until that point, the Kings had been taking the perennial-finalists Waratah to the wire, answering blow for blow as they looked to become the first team to head into the semi-finals from the lowest seed. Unfortunately, their fairytale finish wasn't to be, as the 'Tahs moved one with their three-set win to face off against their oldest rivals in the league - Hamilton. Once again the Waratah-Hamilton rivalry lived up to the billing, as two of the oldest teams in the competition pushed each other to the limits in a game of two distinct halves. The Stags cruised out to a dominant lead early in the first half, stretching their advantage to three sets by the half break, but Waratah refused to bow down to their biggest foes, even as they dropped to a 3-to-7 deficit early in the second stanza. From there, the Cobras nearly completed their recovery to book a ticket to the grand final, claiming three sets on the bounce to bring the game to within just a single set point before the comeback was cut short by the final whistle. Despite four teams falling in the playoffs so far, all four of the organisations had stellar runs in the elimination rounds - Kotara nearly upset third seed Waratah in what could have kick-started a miracle run to the final, before the Cobras bounced back to force their old rivals to the limits. The other side of the bracket saw similar high-quality dodgeball, as Belmont climbed from fourth seed back to the title decider with a strong outing against the ever-improving Raymond Terrace, before one of the closest matches the finals have ever seen went their way in the dying moments of the clash.
Now, in the final clash of Season 11, Belmont have the chance to end Hamilton's reign, and claim revenge for their second half defeat just one campaign ago, while the Stags are looking to confirm an untouchable dynasty atop the Newcastle Dodgeball League throne. The last match of the season - the title final - will begin at 7.30pm next Thursday evening. Another season has come and gone for the Newcastle Dodgeball League, and while the playoffs are yet to be decided, the best performing players have been confirmed. Below are the nomination points for the entire regular season, with Refs Best votes contributing a single point towards a player's total tally, and a team-based vote contributing two points to the tally. The six players with the highest vote count at the end of the season are the Team of the Season, while the player with the highest single vote tally is crowned Most Valuable Player for the campaign. 1 MVP POINTs - Brady Deacon (Shortland) - Morgan Willis (Kotara) - Emilia Flaherty (Belmont) - Nic Price (Belmont) - Gordon Murray (Raymond Terrace) - Laura Bailey (Kotara) - Andrew de Souza (Waratah) - Lewis Foot (Bar Beach) 2 MVP POINTS - Heath Kepreotes (Raymond Terrace) - Luke Fuller (Shortland) - Lachlan Craig (Hamilton) - Dan Janczuk (Bar Beach) - Joe Davis (Kotara) - Gracie Slater (Bar Beach) - Thomas McCallum (Hamilton) 3 MVP POINTS - Rynell Williams (Raymond Terrace) - Nathaniel King (Waratah) - Doug Byrne (Hamilton) - Callum Foot (Bar Beach) 4 MVP POINTS - Georgia Graham (Waratah) - Jaimi Bubb (Belmont) - Joseph Maynard (Hamilton) - Katrina Hailstone (Raymond Terrace) - Keagan Jones (Belmont) - David Franklin (Raymond Terrace) - Isaac McIntyre (Hamilton) - Maddie Jordan (Belmont) - Zac Gardner (Cooks Hill) - Tom Loosemore (Shortland) - James Billingham (Shortland) - Luke Deacon (Shortland) - Jacinta Mantle (Kotara) 5 MVP POINTS - Lucas Fowler (Bar Beach) - Brady Ainsworth (Shortland) - Rowan Toole (Belmont) - Luke Mallet (Kotara) - Eva Bailey (Waratah) - Benjamin McIntyre (Hamilton) Most Valuable Player Contenders Harry Gibson, Hamilton - 6 points > One of Hamilton's longest serving veterans, having played all eleven seasons in the Newcastle Dodgeball League and been involved in the Stags' record-breaking five titles, Gibson is always in the mix for the Most Valuable Player nomination, and even went on to become the only player to earn the claim the top gong twice. However, the Season 3 and 9 MVP had to contend with Hamilton's dip in form in the tail end of the season, as did many of the Stags. Nominations: 11-4 win vs Raymond Terrace (RD3), 12-4 win vs Bar Beach (RD7), 9-8 win vs Kotara (RD11). Jakub Lunarzewski, Waratah - 7 points > Another long-serving member of their club, Jakub Lunarzewski earned a place in the Season 11 TOTS after a shining tenth campaign, but in his eleventh season in the competition the Cobras stalwart was forced to share his points with a number of his red-hot teammates. Despite that, Lunarzewski was a key element as the team as they confirmed a third seed ahead of the finals, in part due to the major victory in the opening round against rivals Hamilton. Nominations: 7-6 win vs Hamilton (RD1), 11-4 win vs Raymond Terrace (RD5), Refs Best in 9-6 win vs Cooks Hill (RD9), 10-4 win vs Bar Beach (RD11). Liam Janczuk, Belmont - 8 points > Belmont's best for Season 11 came just two points, and one nomination, from confirming himself as one of the six best in the league, but despite that Janczuk will still be happy with how his campaign has panned out - early dominance in the first half of the season helped the Beavers stay in the battle at the top of the table, although Janczuk's form flagged - like most of Belmont - in the final rounds as they tumbled to back-to-back defeats and were punted to fourth place. If Belmont's leading forward can return to early season form the Beavers may have a return to the grand final, and a second chance at the title, in their future. Nominations: 10-4 win vs Bar Beach (RD1), 10-4 win vs Kotara (RD3), 4-9 def. vs Hamilton (RD5), 13-5 win vs Kotara (RD10). Dylan Hunt, Waratah - 8 points > The first of the MVP contenders to also be in his rookie season, Waratah's new explosive signing has proven that he can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best of them, as he missed a TOTS berth by just a single nomination, and shone bright in two of Waratah's biggest victories - their 4-set win over Shortland early in the season, and their come-from-behind one-set triumph over Belmont in the final round of the regular season to confirm third place and the leading quarter final seed in playoffs. Nominations: 9-5 win vs Shortland (RD3), 9-6 win vs Kotara (RD6), 9-4 win vs Raymond Terrace (RD12), 7-6 win over Belmont (RD14). Isaac Davis, Kotara - 9 points > Another rookie that fell just inches short of claiming Team of the Season silverware in his opening campaign in the Newcastle Dodgeball League, Davis was a lynchpin for the Kings in their early rounds, as he set the tempo for the new organisation ahead of their burst towards finals. Alongside the core of the Kotara outfit, Davis was crucial to allowing the Kings to play their fast-paced, exciting brand of dodgeball, and all eyes will be on his contribution in the finals. Nominations: 4-10 def. vs Belmont (RD3), 11-5 win vs Cooks Hill (RD5), Refs Best in 8-10 def. vs Shortland (RD7), 12-7 win vs Raymond Terrace (RD8), 7-10 def. vs Shortland (RD9), Hannah Trypas, Shortland - 9 points > As Shortland marched to first place in their first season in the Newcastle Dodgeball League, many of their players proved they were among the best in the league, but key catcher Hannah Trypas shone brightest among the top-seeded squad in Season 11. Trypas was often called upon to bail the Scotchies out of tough situations where they had fallen behind, and many of her catches would turn the tide of a match, enough so that Shortland were able to recover for the win, and their eventual two point buffer atop the Season 11 standings heading into the finals. Nominations: Refs Best in 10-6 win vs Raymond Terrace (RD2), 8-6 win vs Belmont (RD4), 13-5 win vs Bar Beach (RD5), 9-6 win vs Belmont (RD11), 14-2 win vs Bar Beach (RD12). ** TEam of SEASON 11 ** Dan Jenkinson, Raymond Terrace - 9 points > Dan Jenkinson rose to the challenge of taking Raymond Terrace back to the finals in Season 11, after a strong Season 10 built the platform for his personal success. Known for his deadly thrown balls and inch-perfect catches, when Jenkinson was on-form in S11 the Raccoons were in with a major chance for a victory - although two of his nominations came in defeats against Shortland and Belmont, the close nature of the games could be marked through his Herculean contributions. Nominations: 6-10 def. vs Shortland (RD2), 13-4 win vs Bar Beach (RD6), Refs Best in 6-11 def. vs Belmont (R7), 7-12 def. vs Kotara (RD8), 6-9 def. vs Belmont (RD9). Molly Walker, Waratah - 10 points > After taking a season to settle into Waratah, Molly Walker has found her feet in the league, improving in leaps and bounds to claim the first place in the Team of the Season for S11. Catches, eliminations and dodges - as well as a fair heaping of sportmanship - are at the heart of Walker's improvement, with her massive efforts across the season contributing to the Cobras' third seed that the club confirmed in a blockbuster clash against Belmont in the final week of the regular season. Nominations: 4-10 def. vs Belmont (RD2), Refs Best in 11-4 win vs Raymond Terrace (RD5), Refs Best in 9-6 win vs Kotara (RD6), 13-4 win vs Cooks Hill (RD7), Refs Best in 5-12 def. vs Hamilton (RD8), 10-4 win vs Kotara (RD13), Refs Best in 7-6 win vs Belmont (R14). Zac Oke, Kotara - 10 points > Although there were many in Kotara that started the season strong, Zac Oke's was a tale of developing throughout the campaign - the Kings' flanker didn't collect a single MVP vote until round seven of the competition, but once he did the flood gates opened. After bagging his vote two-point collection against Shortland in an eight-set thriller in round seven, Oke then scored three two-point votes in rounds nine, ten and eleven, including against S10 grand finalists Belmont and Hamilton back to back, and confirmed his place in the top six for the season. Nominations: 8-10 def. vs Shortland (RD7), 7-10 def. vs Shortland (RD9), 5-13 def. vs Belmont (RD10), 8-9 def. vs Hamilton (RD11), 10-6 win vs Bar Beach (RD14). Alexander McIntyre, Hamilton - 10 points > Alexander McIntyre has returned to the ranks of the Team of the Season after continuing his strong 2018, and was the best performing Hamilton player as they look to defend their dynasty against a host of new and rising organisations in the Newcastle Dodgeball League. McIntyre's strength came in his consistency, as nominations came six times between the third and twelfth round, a virtue the Stags will be looking for as they prepare for their playoff campaign and a hopeful return to the finals next week at Oakdale Arena. Nominations: 11-4 win vs Raymond Terrace (RD3), 9-4 win vs Belmont (RD5), Refs Best in 12-4 win vs Bar Beach (RD7), Refs Best in 12-5 win vs Waratah (RD8), 11-5 win vs Raymond Terrace (RD10), 3-10 def. vs Belmont (RD12). Peter Goldthorpe, Raymond Terrace - 11 points > Last season's Most Valuable Player continued his dominant 2018 form, guiding Raymond Terrace back to the finals for the second time in the organisation's history, and once against clocked up double digit MVP points to slot straight into the TOTS. This season, however, he was overshadowed despite putting in a similar performance from his S10 form, and was forced to sit as the second most-voted for player across the league as the Raccoons head towards another quarter-final berth. Nominations: 10-6 win vs Kotara (RD1), 4-11 def. vs Waratah (RD5), Refs Best in 13-4 win vs Bar Beach (RD6), 7-12 def. vs Kotara (RD8), 4-9 def. vs Waratah (RD12), 14-6 win vs Bar Beach (RD13). ** MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - SEASON 11 ** Emma Hawes, Bar Beach - 14 points > Never before has the Newcastle Dodgeball League seen a player click so quickly, and become a leading light for their squad - the last time a first-season player claimed the title of Most Valuable Player was in the formation year of the league, when Timothy Leishman guided Stockton to the inaugural title and etched the Hunters' names in history. Now Hawes has announced her arrival in the NDL in a massive way - sweeping aside last season's Most Valuable Player and claiming the top gong by a massive three point buffer. Despite the fact Bar Beach as a whole found difficulty finding competitive points across their first season in the NDL, Hawes' performances were nothing short of unstoppable as she quickly settled in to a mid-court catching role for the Boomers. Incredibly, Bar Beach's leading lady managed to secure herself MVP nomination points in half of all regular season games she played this season, and went on a month long run between rounds 6 and 9 where she was the clear best player in the competition, grabbing an 8 point haul in that time against Belmont, Raymond Terrace and twice against defending champions Hamilton. Nominations: 4-10 def. vs Belmont (RD1), 4-13 def. vs Raymond Terrace (RD6), 4-12 def. vs Hamilton (RD7), 5-8 def. vs Belmont (RD8), 0-18 def. vs Hamilton (RD9), 6-14 def. vs Raymond Terrace (RD13), 6-10 def. vs Kotara (RD14). Sportmanship Award for Season 10 - Callum Foot - After fourteen rounds the final standings in the Newcastle Dodgeball League have been confirmed, but for the Waratah Cobras and the Belmont Beavers their positions were not locked until the final handful of games in their closing regular season clash. Heading into the last week of the league before playoffs, Waratah sat on 33 points, while Belmont lurked just two points behind on 31 - their eyes glued firmly to a favourable third-seed for the quarter-finals next Thursday evening. After falling in a one-set thriller last week to Cooks Hill, 9-10, Belmont knew their last outing before the elimination rounds would be key to their path back to the finals, but a late game surge from the Cobras was too much for the Beavers to overcome as they fell by a single point for the second time in two weeks. Although Belmont earned themselves an early lead in the contest, Waratah were able to take control in the middle period of the match, before staking their claim for the top quarter-final seed with back-to-back set victories in the final three whistles, moving four points ahead of their rivals with the 7-6 win. Although in the end it didn't eventuate, Waratah's one-set win could have also seen them move into second place after Hamilton had mixed results in the run in to the season's conclusion, with the Cobras levelling the Stags on competitive points after the defending champions secured a 9-5 win over Cooks Hill earlier in the same evening. Also at Oakdale Arena, Shortland collected a 12-5 win over Raymond Terrace to enter the finals on an eight-game winning streak, with their last loss coming at the hands of Hamilton - 5 sets to 9 - eight weeks ago. Finally, Kotara confirmed they would be playing finals in their first season in the competition with a 10-6 win over Bar Beach, locking in their sixth place finish. The quarter-finals will now begin on November 8, when Kotara and Waratah come face to face in the first elimination bout, while Belmont face off against Raymond Terrace in the other playoff fixture. Hamilton and Shortland await the winners of the opening finals round in the semi-finals, with Hamilton set to play the victor of Waratah-Kotara, and Shortland prepared for the winner of Belmont-Raymond Terrace. FINAL SEASON STANDINGS: Shortland (38), Hamilton, Waratah (36), Belmont (32), Raymond Terrace (24), Kotara (22), Cooks Hill (20), Bar Beach (16).
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S13
RD1: Fast-starting Waratah launch new campaign in style (02/08)
PRESEASON: Season 13's draw & key fixtures revealed (26/07/19) S12
Finals: Scotchies clinch first title with rampage over Belmont (21/06)
RD14: Shortland, Hamilton lead top seeds heading into playoffs (07/06) RD13: Glendale stun Belmont 7-3 to climb out of cellar (31/05) RD12: Jesmond bundle up Waratah to set race for top four alight (24/05) RD11: Beavers back on track with win over the Kings (17/05) RD10: Terrace back in the winner's circle with Hamilton upset (10/05) RD9: Belmont and Waratah locked at standstill (03/05) RD8: Stags down 'Tahs in grudge match battle for third (19/04) RD7: Belmont bounce back with spoiler win against Kotara (12/04) RD6: Scotches wave away Belmont bid to stay top (05/04) RD5: Waratah right season with Raccoons win (29/03) RD4: Shortland stay undefeated with fourth win (22/03) RD3: Hamilton claim revenge in grand final rematch (15/03) RD2: Bar Beach hold off Glendale to bag first win (08/03) RD1: Waratah sweep aside arch-rivals with major margin (01/03) PRESEASON: Season 12's draw & key fixtures revealed (08/02/19) PRESEASON: Rego now open for NDL Season 12. (01/02/18) S11
GF: Belmont edge out Hamilton in two-set grand final epic (16/11)
FINALS: Hamilton and Belmont set up grand final rematch (9/11) RD14: Waratah down Belmont in heated one-set thriller (2/11) RD13: Shortland oust Hamilton from first with one to go (26/10) RD12: Belmont upset Hamilton to blow first place race open (19/10) RD11: Shortland take second after thriller against Belmont (12/10/18) RD10: Waratah tumble into fourth place after slow start (5/10/18) RD9: Top four teams hold off finals-hopefuls (28/09/18) RD8: Hamilton claim first as league celebrates Ladies Day (21/09/18) RD7: Shortland and Kotara clash goes down to the wire (14/09/18) RD6: Waratah keep close on Hamilton's heels (07/09/18) RD5: Hamilton prevail in grand final rematch (30/08/18) RD4: Belmont tumble into ladder mix with defeat (24/08/18) RD3: Waratah cuts Shortland's undefeated streak short (17/08/18) RD2: Shortland break Terrace to continue strong start (10/08/18) RD1: Waratah open account against long-standing rivals (03/08/18) PRESEASON: Season 11's draw & key fixtures revealed (19/07/18) PRESEASON: Registrations now open for NDL Season 11. (13/07/18) SEASON 10GF: Hamilton extend dynasty with fifth championship (06/07/18)
SF: Belmont punch ticket to season decider with comeback (29/06/18) QF: Raymond Terrace scores maiden finals victory (22/06/18) RD15: Waratah confirm second place, first week bye (15/06/18) RD14: Waratah steady the ship with key three-set win (08/06/18) RD13: Belmont ensures the Waratah slide continues (01/06/18) RD12: Cooks Hill and Belmont remain level with draw (25/05/18) RD11: Waratah lose sight of first place after defeat (18/05/18) RD10: Raymond Terrace shock Cookers in sudden death (11/05/18) RD9: Cookers drop 'Tahs to second with 6-5 slug-fest (04/05/18) RD8: Hamilton take revenge in Battle of Oakdale (27/04/18) RD7: Bailey best on field as 'Tahs in cruise-control (20/04/18) RD6: Waratah break three-year hoodoo over old rivals (13/04/18) RD5: Hamilton reclaim first place with 13-0 masterclass (06/04/18) RD4: League's closest round sees 'Tahs take top spot (23/03/18) RD3: Cooks Hill record first point with 5-5 draw (16/03/18) RD2: Sudden-death deciders see Hamilton pip Belmont (09/03/18) RD1: Waratah-Hamilton classic ends in 6-all draw (02/03/18) |