The 2026 Central Highlands Netball League finals series is gathering momentum, with another big weekend of netball producing convincing wins, tight finishes and season-defining performances across the senior and junior competitions.

After a highly competitive home-and-away season, the pressure has stepped up as clubs battle to keep their premiership hopes alive and earn a place in the next stage of the CHNL finals.

The weekend of 29–30 August saw finals action continue across the region, with matches played at venues including Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve and Bungaree Recreation Reserve.

Semi-Final Weekend Highlights

There was plenty to take from the weekend’s action, with several matches decided by only a handful of goals.

Saturday 29 August – Semi Finals at Creswick

• A Grade: Springbank 57 defeated Gordon 37
  Best on Court: Bethany Smith (Springbank)
• B Grade: Buninyong 36 defeated Springbank 26
  Best on Court: Anne Robilliard (Buninyong)
• C Grade: Waubra 48 defeated Carngham-Linton 47
  Best on Court: Kate Cleary (Waubra)
• D Grade: Buninyong 31 defeated Gordon 22
  Best on Court: Abbey Thorne (Buninyong)
• 17 & Under: Ballan 29 defeated Carngham-Linton 26
  Best on Court: Charlotte McVeigh (Ballan)
• 15 & Under: Learmonth 36 defeated Dunnstown 34
  Best on Court: Ruby Hines (Learmonth)
• 13 & Under: Skipton 23 defeated Ballan 13
  Best on Court: Charley King (Skipton)

Sunday 30 August – Semi Finals at Bungaree

• A Grade: Learmonth 80 defeated Skipton 35
  Best on Court: Kaitlyn Balazic (Learmonth)
• B Grade: Hepburn 31 defeated Bungaree 19
  Best on Court: Jane O’Donohue (Hepburn)
• C Grade: Dunnstown 30 defeated Hepburn 25
  Best on Court: Holly Keating (Dunnstown)
• D Grade: Bungaree 20 defeated Hepburn 18
  Best on Court: Aleara Tranter (Hepburn)
• 17 & Under: Rokewood-Corindhap 34 defeated Buninyong 32
  Best on Court: Scarlett Jones (Rokewood-Corindhap)
• 15 & Under: Beaufort 20 defeated Clunes 17
  Best on Court: Hannah Jarvis (Beaufort)
• 13 & Under: Springbank 23 defeated Bungaree 14
  Best on Court: Misty Paizis (Springbank)

The one-goal C Grade result between Waubra and Carngham-Linton was one of the weekend’s closest contests, while the junior competitions also produced several matches decided by only two or three goals.

Springbank Keeps A Grade Premiership Hopes Alive

Springbank made an important statement in A Grade, accounting for Gordon by 20 goals.

The Tigers entered the finals after finishing fourth on the home-and-away ladder and showed why they remain a serious threat in September.

The top of the A Grade competition has been particularly strong this season, with Hepburn and Daylesford both finishing the regular season on 64 points, Learmonth close behind on 60 and Springbank fourth on 56.

That depth has set up an intriguing run towards the 2026 CHNL Grand Final.

Senior Best & Fairest Celebrated

Finals weren’t the only major CHNL story during the past week.

The league’s senior Best & Fairest celebrations also recognised another outstanding season of individual performances.

Springbank’s Lydia Jordan claimed the 2026 CHNL A Grade Best & Fairest, adding one of the league’s biggest individual honours to an excellent season. The Courier described Jordan’s winning margin as a comfortable one in reporting on her breakthrough A Grade award.

The awards provided an opportunity to recognise players from across the league before attention quickly returned to the courts and the business end of the season.

Finals Netball at Its Best

As the competition moves into September, margins become smaller, pressure becomes greater and every possession matters.

This year’s finals are already showcasing the depth of the Central Highlands Netball League — from experienced A Grade players chasing a premiership to the league’s next generation competing in the 13 & Under, 15 & Under and 17 & Under competitions.

Congratulations to every player, coach, umpire, team manager, volunteer and supporter who has contributed to the opening weeks of the finals series.

For those teams still alive in the race for a premiership, the focus now turns to the next round and another opportunity to move one step closer to Grand Final day.

Good luck to all CHNL clubs taking the court throughout the remainder of the 2026 finals series.

CHNL — Your Home of Country Netball