Football
25 June, 2025
Race for finals heats up
The race for a coveted top-five spot to play in the finals was on display across numerous A Grade netball games on Saturday in round 10 of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
In crucial top-six matchups, Noradjuha Quantong defeated the Swifts 58-38, while Kalkee registered a tight 48-44 win over the in-form Edenhope Apsley.
The game between Kalkee and the Saints was evenly matched early on, with nothing separating the sides at the first quarter break before the Saints held a marginal 25-24 lead at half-time.
A pivotal third quarter from Kalkee gave them a healthy six-point lead (40-34) entering the final term, as they managed to hold off the home side.
Paula Weidermann, coach of Kalkee, hailed the team’s defensive performance.
"Our defensive end with Lotus (Martin) and Emily (Polack), and the mids – Abbey, Amelia and Alex – were what won us the game,” Weidermann said.
“They took several interceptions in and out of the ring.
“Swapping Casey Rentsch from defence into attack also provided the attack end with a quick, strong option.”
Weidermann identified Edenhope shooter Dee Dee Lambert as a key focus area for the team, crediting Martin and Polack for minimising Lambert’s impact.
“We knew of the inclusion of VNL player Dee Dee, who was shooting 36 goals and above for each game, so limiting her shooting opportunities was a focus,” Weidermann said.
“Lotus and Emily achieved this, with Dee Dee shooting 30.
“It was Emily’s first time in defence all year and she and Lotus were a strong defensive force.”
Asked what triggered Kalkee’s third-quarter push, Wiedermann highlighted the team’s interchangeability.
“Having the versatility to swap players and put fresh legs on the court,” Weidermann said.
“The girls settled and capitalised on their (Edenhope’s) turnovers.”
Lambert and Lavinia Fox were two of Edenhope’s best, while for Kalkee, Jarrah Martin scored 28 goals.
The crucial win means Kalkee rise to third on the ladder based on percentage, while Edenhope Apsley are now in fourth.
At Quantong, the Bombers led the Swifts 25-20 at half-time before a 19-point third quarter gave the home side an unassailable 44-29 lead at the final break.
Taya Quick was integral to the Bombers’ win, hitting 47 out of her 53 goal attempts.
The result pushes the Bombers up to fifth and the Swifts to sixth, but all of Kalkee, Edenhope Apsley, Noradjuha Quantong and the Swifts have six wins, meaning each round will be critical in determining the finals race.
In other results, league leaders Rupanyup defeated Rupanyup 68-27, Natimuk finished strongly to beat Harrow Balmoral 44-31, and Laharum bounced back from two straight losses with a 58-29 victory over Taylors Lake.