Football
5 June, 2026
Burras overcome Rams
Minyip Murtoa bounced back from their round-two loss to Laharum with a 7.10 (52) to 2.7 (19) victory over Natimuk United in round three of the Wimmera Football Netball League women’s senior football competition.
A heavily contested first quarter saw both sides struggle to get effective forward opportunities, but the Burras were able to establish a 6-1 quarter-time lead courtesy of a goal to forward recruit Kiara Woods.
Natimuk managed to get numerous inside 50s and scoring shots early in the second, but the visitors wrested back the momentum, eventually scoring through Stephanie Glover shortly before half-time to lead 16-4.
Early in the second half, Kellsie Turner kicked the first-ever goal for the Rams’ senior women’s side.
The home side maintained momentum and field position for most of the quarter but a runaway goal from Claudia Griffiths ensured the Burras went into the break with a 22-13 lead.
Rory Starick then broke the game open for Minyip Murtoa early in the fourth quarter with back-to-back goals.
Despite a late goal from Natimuk’s Elle Treloar, the Burras dominated the final quarter, adding two more goals to finish with a 33-point win.
Rory Starick and Claudia Griffiths were two of the Burras’ best as they finished with three and two goals, respectively.
Abby Weir, Meg Alsop, Shanese Brown and Mikaela Wright were also among the side’s best.
For Natimuk, Emma van Egmond, Kim Parker, Jacqui Altus, Amaya Woodward, Teilah Couch and Kellsie Turner performed well.
Despite the game being highly contested for most of the afternoon, Burras coach Nick Cushing said he was pleased with how his team used their pace throughout the game before their emphatic final quarter.
“I said at the start of the game about how wide the ground is and the pace of our wingers in Claudia and Ruby, to get out of the grass in front of them it breaks the game open,” Cushing said.
“It was quite a contested game but as soon as you get it on the grass, you see how quickly the game opens up.
“I was really happy with how they put it together.
"We moved the footy well and continued to get opportunities in front of goal, which paid off on the scoreboard in the end.”
After being frustrated with her start to the game, the Burras coach said he was proud of how Rory Starick responded late in the day.
“Rory said herself coming off at quarter-time that she wasn’t playing well enough,” Cushing said.
“I asked her to just keep going and how she responded in that last quarter was absolutely huge.
“Credit to her for sticking in the game.
"She could have gone into a shell but she stuck to her guns and really helped us blow out the game in the end there.”