Latest news with #Comets
Perth Now
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Comets beat Roar to claim WANL premiership
Comets have exacted revenge for last year's grand final defeat to the Western Roar, defeating the minor premiers by 11 goals in the WA Netball League grand final on Saturday night. The Comets jumped out to a significant lead in the opening quarter, their shooting duo of Jasmah Haywood and Sloan Burton in the goal circle troubling the Roar's defence on the way to a 17-7 lead. The 2023 premiers extended their lead in the second quarter to as much as 18 goals against the shell-shocked Roar. Comets captain Georgia Morgan was a steady presence in the mid-court while Liz Dronfield was influential with intercepts in defence. For the Roar, newly crowned Jill McIntosh Medallist for third time Caitlyn Brown was doing her best to drag her side back into the game while Cleo Kenny provided strong passes to her shooters, including Sophia Lamers. Roar's 21/U MVP Kate Cunningham came on for the Open side as they tried to narrow the gap in the second half, bringing energy, pressure and intercepts, Maddie Hunter also influential as the reduced the lead to 14, 43-29. But the margin proved too large to peg back, Comets sealing the premiership 54-43. Haywood ended her day with 44 goals to claim the grand final MVP award, capping a fantastic return after missing the 2024 season with injury. Western Roar claimed their third consecutive 21/U title with a comprehensive 59-40 win over West Coast Warriors. The Roar extended their lead in every quarter, Grace Millichamp and Teagan Begovic leading the way in goals, while goal keeper Kate Cunningham was fierce in defence to claim the MVP award. For the Warriors, Eva Ferguson and Skyla Payne tried their hardest in goals while Ava Buselich put in a standout defensive performance. In the Men's division, Western Roar made it four premierships in a row, defeating West Coast Warriors by 13 goals, 56-43. Tom Harper was named MVP.
Perth Now
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Comets set up grand final rematch against Roar
Comets have set up a grand final rematch with reigning premiers Western Roar after defeating Southside Demons 52-49 in a thrilling WA Netball League preliminary final. The importance of the game was immediately evident from the first centre pass, with both teams demonstrating extreme defensive pressure in a tight first quarter. But Comets, looking to advance to a third consecutive grand final, took a stranglehold on the game in the second quarter, extending the lead to as much as 11. Jasmah Haywood was a focal point up front, shooting 26 goals alone in the first half on her way to 40 for the match. She was well supported by Sloan Burton, who applied defensive pressure with multiple deflections and added 12 goals of her own for the game. After winning the Super Netball reserves premiership last Sunday, Haywood and Burton will be among the athletes playing their third grand final in three weeks. The Demons would not go away quietly and almost pulled off the impossible in the final quarter. They outscored the Comets by seven goals as part of a determined fightback in the final minutes, Georgia Ettridge scoring six goals as the clock counted down. But the the groundwork of the Comets ultimately proved too much to overcome and they will seek redemption this Saturday night after losing the grand final to Roar last year. In the men's division, Western Roar qualified for their seventh consecutive grand final after a convincing 13-goal win over Comets. The minor premiers will be out for revenge against West Coast Warriors after a shock one-point loss in the first round of the finals forced them to take the long road to the decider. In the 21/U division, West Coast Warriors will take on Western Roar after thrashing Rangers by 19 goals in the preliminary final, 65-46. Roar and Warriors were the best two teams all season, with just one point separating them on the ladder, with Roar winning the qualifying final two weeks ago by six points.
Perth Now
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Demons too hot for Warriors
Southside Demons issued a warning to their remaining rivals in the WA Netball League with a convincing 56-41 elimination final win over the West Coast Warriors. The Demons, who spent much of the season in second place before dropping to third late, jumped out of the blocks thanks to their consistent goal circle of Kelsey McPhee (19), Georgia Ettridge (16), Meg Gallager (15) and Brooke Marques (six). They were well supported by their defensive end of Kate Bunten, Chanel Gomes and Abbey Hanley, who did everything in their power to stop star Warriors shooters Jamaica Jauncey (32), as well as Beryl Friday (five), Hana Stokes (three) and Emily Dwyer (one). Your local paper, whenever you want it. The Warriors' mid court were persistent despite the score, with Honey Harrington, Kaylssa Rasmussen and Gardenia Asiata pushing hard up and down the court. Western Roar guaranteed their fifth straight grand final appearance in a dominant display over the Comets, winning the qualifying final by 14 points, 56-42. Roar's Maddie Hunter was a star in the mid court, finding crucial intercepts to turn the ball over, while Sophia Lamers (34) and Asha Parsons (22) flexed their muscles in goals. The Comets showed some serious defensive pressure throughout the game from the likes of Liz Dronfield, Mia Henderson and young gun Kianah Davey who were all able to find deflections and change pace. The Comets will have a second chance to make their third consecutive grand final when they face Southside Demons. In the men's division, West Coast Warriors won their way to the grand final with a thrilling one-goal victory over Western Roar, 47-46, in the qualifying final. The Roar will take on Comets for the other spot in the grand final after they overcame Rangers by four goals, 60-56, in the elimination final. In the 21/U division, reigning premiers Western Roar guaranteed back-to-back grand final appearances after beating the West Coast Warriors by six goals in the qualifying final, 54-48. The Warriors will face the Rangers in the preliminary final after they ended the season of the Comets by eight goals in the elimination final, 48-40.
Scoop
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Tactix Defeated The Go Media Stars 61-53 In Christchurch
The Go Media Stars have shown encouraging signs with a fantastic second half showing in a 61-53 ANZ Premiership loss to the Tactix in Christchurch. In what was very much a game of two halves, the first half was a difficult one for the Stars, with the Tactix flexing their muscles early and showing why they are the competition leaders with 19 and 17 goal quarters. The Stars struggled to build any momentum on attack in the first two periods and found themselves with a hefty 17 goal deficit at the half - down 36-19. Showing some great resilience, the Stars made a good fist of producing a competitive and winning third stanza, 14-13. The combination of the experienced Samon Nathan and Mila Reuelu-Buchanan in the Stars mid-court produced a lively performance on attack. Delivering precision ball at speed into the hands of Bell gave the Stars their best 15 minutes of the game to that point. At the other end, Johnson and Tokaduadua proved a handy defensive combination in taking the flow out of the Tactix game. Athletic and strong in the air, the pair played a strong hand in providing turnover opportunities while stalling the Tactix progress. Leading by 16 heading down the home straight, the Tactix were left looking over their shoulder when Marie Hansen, straight out of the Comets team in the National Netball League and making her senior debut in the final quarter, stepped in to provide an exciting finale. Showing no fear, the slightly-built Hansen calmly slotted five super shots on the trot to liven up the Stars performance, adding respectability against the well-drilled Tactix, who could look back on a strong first half buffer to get them over the line. The diminutive Crystal Maro, also elevated from the Comets, was a lively contributor from goal attack, including nailing a super shot. The Stars return home to host their Northern rivals the Mystics on Monday June 30th.
Edmonton Journal
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Calder Cup Finals: Who were gritty, grinding 2015 Utica Comets? Where are they now?
Article content The Comets simply ran out of gas against the juggernaut Manchester Monarchs in five games of the 2015 championship series. However, their long slog of five playoff overtime outings — including a four-overtime marathon in a seven-game Western Conference final series — is not forgotten. Ten members of the Monarchs advanced to the NHL, while just five from the Comets made it to and stayed in The Show. Maybe that's why Comets fans couldn't contain themselves from what was happening in 2015. There was a frenzy in upstate New York. 'It's kind of a legacy how the Utica Auditorium turned into a place,' then-Comets bench boss Travis Green told Postmedia. 'When we landed after clinching the conference final against Grand Rapids, we had a police escort, and fans waiting for us at the Aud. 'Pretty special in that league.' That Comets roster also included Sven Baertschi, Jake Virtanen, Alex Biega, Brendan Gaunce, Alexandre Grenier, Frankie Corrado, Nicklaus Jensen, Andrey Pedan, Adam Clendinning and Jacob Markstrom. Some advanced to the NHL, but many only had a cup of coffee.
