Netball
22 July, 2025
A Grade top five takes shape
The finalists for the upcoming WFNL A Grade netball series are all but secured following wins by four top-five sides in round 13.
The Horsham Saints, Dimboola, Ararat, and Southern Mallee Thunder all secured commanding victories on Saturday.
The Saints almost tripled Stawell's total in a crushing 100-36 victory at Central Park.
The Warriors' lack of height made it difficult to mitigate the Saints' length, and the home side fell behind 28-11 at the main break.
A 26-8 second quarter gave the Saints a 35-goal lead at the main break and a total that would win most games in the league.
The Saints did not let up in the second half, outshooting Stawell 49-17, resulting in a 64-goal victory.
The ladder leaders shared the spoils across the four quarters, with Jorja Clode almost outscoring the hosts with her 33 goals from 34 attempts (97 per cent accuracy).
Abby Hallam added 30 goals (85%), while Lena Marshman chipped in with 20 goals (95%) after playing the first half in defence.
Olivia Taylor, who came off the bench in the second half, finished with 15 goals (75%).
Understandably, Stawell's defender Lauren Homden was named in her team's best alongside coach Jemma Clarkson, who ran hard all game in goal attack.
The win gives Horsham a 12-point buffer between first and second, with a round 18 bye the only week they cannot secure premiership points.
A masterclass in movement helped Dimboola return to the winner's circle against Nhill.
After losing to the Saints in round 12, the Roos played like a side looking to send a message to the competition in its 59-29 victory.
Playing in windy, cold conditions, Dimboola and Nhill traded goals from the opening whistle, before the Roos took control of the game with seven of the last eight goals of the first quarter.
Dimboola's front court of Olivia Beugelaar and Nicole Polycarpou gave the Nhill defenders nightmares, with slick passes and positioning often leaving a two-on-one situation in the shooting circle.
A 16-8 second quarter gave Dimboola a 14-goal lead, which saw some fringe players move into key positions.
A 28-12 second half saw Dimboola walk away with a 59-29 victory, bringing them just one win away from second-placed Horsham.
Beugelaar shot well in the wind to finish with 28 goals (76%), while Polycarpou added 15 (68%), Maddison Marra nine (56%), and Billie Barber seven (54%).
Polycarpou and Paige Glover were named in the Roos' best while Tigers' defender Shae-Lea Fischer and goalshooter Charlotte Foulds were recognised for their efforts.
Ararat remains in the race for a top-three finish after defeating Warrack Eagles 48-27 at home.
The Rats were once again aided by the goal-scoring efforts of Laney McLoughlan (25 goals) and Maggie Astbury (23), while goalkeeper Faith Biddle saw three different opponents across the day.
The visitors struggled to find rhythm in front of the goal with Nicola Clyne finishing with 13 goals, while Amber O'Connor (seven), Isabella Orszulak (four), and Lauren Clyne (three) all chipped in.
Finally, Southern Mallee Thunder had a solid hitout against Minyip Murtoa, winning 68-22.
In testing conditions at the Murtoa Recreation Reserve, the Thunder scored 14 goals in the first and second quarters to establish a solid 28-9 goal lead at the main break.
As conditions improved, the Thunder upped the ante in the second half, scoring 40 goals while limiting the hosts to 13.
Steph Thomson top scored with 40 goals (78%), while Emma Mill added 15 (63%).
Abby White, who started the game in defence before switching to goal shooter in the fourth quarter, shot 12 goals (71%), while Caitlin Douglass added one goal from one attempt.
Jessica Newell worked tirelessly for the Burras, finishing with 14 (49%), while Molly Fagan added four goals (40%) whilst playing three different positions throughout the game.
Fagan and goalkeeper Lauren Dodgshun were named in the Burras' best, while White and Douglass received the same nod for the Thunder.