Sport
7 May, 2026
Dimboola claim first win
Dimboola’s A grade netballers have conquered a fast-starting Eagles side to record their first win of the 2026 season.
Both teams endured testing conditions throughout the game, making it difficult to establish momentum.
Nevertheless, the Roos earned four premiership points with a 42-33 victory at home.
Coach Ant Toet said that while it wasn’t a standard win, they were able to draw several positives from it.
“The conditions weren’t the best; at times it was warm, then windy and dusty, plus the drizzle,” Toet said.
“It was hard to find our flow with so many variables.
"A few girls were also under the weather and Olivia was unavailable with a wedding so I’m happy to get through the game unscathed despite it not being a pretty showcase.”
Dimboola’s defence played a key role in providing several counter-attack opportunities; however, the side could convert only nine of 16 shots.
Meanwhile, the Eagles were efficient, with seven goals from eight shots.
Ahead by just two goals at the first break, Toet reiterated that consistency was vital.
“Warrack came out physically and did their best to rattle us,” she said after the game.
“I asked for patience and consistency with strong leads and defensive pressure.
“I reminded them it would take time but it would happen if we were consistent.”
Toet moved Eloise Wills to goal attack, which provided the side with another tall target.
The hosts had one of their best quarters of the game, scoring 13 goals at 81 per cent accuracy.
“Eloise played a lot of her juniors in goals as well as defence,” Toet said.
“Her height makes her an asset at both ends with strong rebounding and elevation.
“Her calm and steady approach, as well as height, was needed in attack early on, and it was working for us, and she's more than happy to contribute wherever the team needs her at the time.”
Toet added that moving Wills into attack allowed Maddie Marra to play through the centre court rotations.
A two-goal lead was extended to four at the main break before the home side put the foot down in the second.
Warrack was limited to nine attempts on goal in the third quarter as the Roos' defence limited opportunities across the court.
At the final break, the Roos were ahead by nine goals.
“We're of the belief that everyone is an attacker and everyone is a defender,” Toet said.
“Whenever we don’t have the ball we all need to do our job to turn it over and then all contribute as attackers to make sure we convert where it counts.
“The girls did this well across the game with a number of held balls in Warrack’s attack end with tips, intercepts and deflections.”
The sides traded goals in the final quarter, with the Roos holding on to win by nine.
For her defensive pressure and solid work through the midcourt, Billie Barber was named best on court alongside Nicole Polycarpou, who top-scored with 36 goals.
The evergreen Emma Koschitzke and Barber’s direct opponent, Maddie Okely, were named best on court for the Eagles.
Dimboola are on the road to Horsham City Oval this Saturday to battle it out with the Demons.
The Demons have had two wins this season and a loss.