Round 17 of the A Grade netball competition featured a rematch between the Thomson Tigers and the Belmont Lions after both teams featured in the 2025 grand final last season.
The winner this game would determine who out of Thomson and the Belmont Lions would make it into the top five and deny their opposition of featuring in finals for the 2026 season.
With everything to play for, Thomson was able to pull off a six-goal win against the Belmont Lions in a hard-fought game despite trailing by three goals for majority of the first half.
The last time these two competitive teams met was in Round 3 which resulted in a two-goal win in favour of the Belmont Lions, an exact replica of the 2025 grand final margin.
With the home court advantage and a 50-game milestone celebration for Thomson player Ebony Harris, this was a thrilling and rewarding win for Thomson after last year’s ending.
Thomson A Grade coach Shannyn Leach has led the side since 2018 and was named 2025 Coach of the Year before being selected to coach the 2026 Interleague side.
“I think last year was a phenomenal side and to have probably half of those girls return, they’re just really invested,” Leach said.
“They want it, they’ve got the drive and they’re motivated.”
Prior to their game in Round 17 against the Belmont Lions, Thomson was sitting just outside of the top five in sixth place with the Belmont Lions only above them by a small percentage.
Whilst there is still one round left until finals and a chance for the Belmont Lions to sneak back into the top five, Thomson is already preparing for finals - treating every opponent like a finalist.
“It’s ironic that we played Belmont in the grand final last year and now we’re facing off to make finals, so it’s funny how things work out,” Leach said.
“We actually went into this game treating it like a grand final, which is kind of what it was for us at the end of the day.”
After their heartbreaking goal loss in the grand final last year, Leach made sure that her players were prepared to face the reigning premiers and deal with the pressure of gameday.
“We made sure to lift our intensity at training and focus on playing for a full four quarters which has probably been a challenge for us at times,” Leach reflected.
“Belmont are such a good side, so it was a really great game to not only coach, but to watch as well.”
The pressure of this game between Thomson and the Belmont Lions was evident from the first centre pass as both teams eased into the match and found their flow.
“Even before the game they were extremely nervous, and it’s the sort of nerves you see when you’re going into a finals series, let alone Round 17,” Leach said.
“They really settled into the game, and they took it on, which is exactly what we spoke about at training.”
With a mountain of experience in high pressure coaching situations, Leach reminded her players to embrace the moment and to remember what they’re playing for.
“My message was just to embrace how you’re feeling, take the nerves into the game, but settle it down once the game starts and ease your way into it,” Leach shared.
“It’s exciting, it’s netball, we’re passionate, and that’s why we’re so nervous."
Thomson trailed by three goals at quarter-time before levelling the scores heading into half time, allowing them to take control in the second half and secure a six-goal victory.
“The girls adapted really well and once they got a few goals up, they really calmed and settled into the game,” Leach said.
“It’s a reward for them. I think they deserve to make the finals after a tough end to the season last year.”
If Thomson are able to defeat Anakie in round 18 this weekend, they will officially progress into the elimination final and prepare to take on another finals' series.
“Anakie are really finishing the season off strong, so we need to treat that game like it’s a finals game as well,” Leach said.
“Last weekend against Belmont was like the start of our finals series, so it’s now about how we can keep stepping up every week.”
In the 2025 season, Thomson was minor premiers and finished the regular season in first place, meaning that they only had to play two finals games which included the grand final.
This season, Thomson will have to win three consecutive games in order to make the grand final, testing their determination and ability to play in a finals game every week.
“We didn’t have a lot of experience in finals last year, but I think that playing each week will be a definite positive for them,” Leach said.
“The way they played on the weekend was unreal, so if they can do that through the finals series, then they will hopefully win it this year.”
The last time Thomson won an A grade netball premiership was in 2017, though they have been grand finalists three times since then in 2018, 2019, and most recently in 2025.
Leach played in the 2017 A grade premiership side which has allowed her to understand the process and level of commitment it takes to become a grand finalist side.
“The end prize is what our focus is. We do focus on the grand final and hopefully we can work our way through the series to get there again,” Leach said.
“For the girls, they just focus on the game and challenge themselves to play better each week. They’re a really good unit and they always bring each other up.”
As a member of the Thomson Football and Netball Club since 2016, Leach recognises the importance of community and friendship in building success as a sports club.
“Having the support from the crowd, from teammates across other grades, and from family members and friends makes such a difference,” Leach shared.
“Whatever the result, I think the support from the bench and from the crowd is what really builds a great team.”
Support travels beyond the netball court, as the Thomson Football and Netball Club will be hosting an important fundraiser this Saturday the 15th of August.
The fundraiser is being held for Anouk Bock, a young under 11’s netball player who has recently been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumour.
The Thomson community will come together during round 18 this Saturday to support Anouk and her family during an incredibly difficult time.
“It’s so nice to see that our community can get around a family like that. We’re all wrapping our arms around her and keeping our fingers crossed that everything is okay,” Leach said.
“We don’t realise how privileged we are to be able to play a sport that we love.”
As Thomson prepares to feature in another A grade netball finals series in the coming weeks, the community will continue to rally behind one of its youngest members.
Donations to support Anouk and her family can be made through the GoFundMe Fundraiser.
