The 2023 DOOLEYS Metro League Grand Finalists have been crowned after an exciting week of epic battles out on court across three nights and six matches.
Monday night kicked off the week with the Grand Finals for Division 3 and 4.
In Division 4, this battle began with a draw in the first quarter. Sutherland Shire and Bankstown City were here to prove who wanted the crown more. Bankstown City had fought their way into this Grand Final from 4th place whereas Sutherland Shire had finished minor premiers. The minor premiers showed just how they earnt that title in the second and third quarter, jumping their lead to 15-goals by three quarter time. Bankstown City were not going to let that be the story of their last game for the season and in the fourth quarter took the win by 1-goal! Sutherland Shire ultimately took the win with their outstanding performance through the second and third quarter and became the 2023 DOOLEYS Metro League Division 4 Grand Final Winners.
In Division 3, it was Manly Warringah against Randwick – not much separated these two teams at the end of the minor rounds. These teams had the same number of win’s, losses and draws, the only difference being their goal count. Finishing in second and third respectively, we knew this game was not for the faint hearted given the last time they met was a draw. Randwick inched their way out to an early lead, only separating themselves by one-goal going into the half time break. Their third quarter proved to be their premiership quarter scoring a whopping 19-goals. Randwick’s third quarter performance claimed their victory as the 2023 DOOLEYS Metro League Division 3 Grand Final Winners.
Tuesday night was one for the history books.
In Division 6, after finishing first in the qualifying competition and earning themselves a place in Division 6, Central Coast won their way to Minor Premiers and the Grand Final! Excitingly, Bankstown City finished second this season after entering through the qualifying competition this year. What an exciting match between two newcomers this year! A whopping 19-6 second quarter saw Central Coast surge in front, while the third quarter saw both teams with level scores. Central Coast proved why they finished Minor Premiers, taking the win by 22-goals and becoming the 2023 DOOLEYS Metro League Division 6 Grand Final Winners.
In Division 5, Sutherland Shire came in as Minor Premiers and Penrith District had fought their way from third place into the Grand Final. Sutherland Shire put out a strong front in the first half, going into the half time break at 25-22. Penrith District put out a show of force with an incredible third quarter, doubling their opponents score 15-7. This put them in good stead heading into the fourth quarter as they increased their lead. Penrith District turned their game around to become the 2023 DOOLEYS Metro League Division 5 Grand Final Winners.
Thursday night was a night of tough and tight match-ups.
In Division 2, while Manly Warringah claimed Minor Premiers at the end of Minor Rounds, it was Northern Suburbs who knocked them off in the Semi-Final to earn their place in the 2023 Grand Final. Manly Warringah came through with the win in their Preliminary Final, setting up another exciting match-up between these two skilful teams. Manly Warringah had not suffered a loss all season, Northern Suburbs providing the first and only draw in Round 12 and their first and only loss in the Semi-Final. Northern Suburbs came close to Manly Warringah in each and every quarter but the Minor Premiers came out victorious just inching out their lead every quarter until game-end with a 54-41 win claiming them 2023 DOOLEYS Metro League Division 2 Grand Final Winners.
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