Netball
5 May, 2026
Roos grind out win, rivals share points
Dimboola fought through tough conditions to claim their first win of the 2026 season. Meanwhile the Saints win streak extended to 21 games, the Demons returned to the winner's circle, and nothing could separate the Tigers and Burras.
Dimboola’s netballers have overcome a fast-starting Eagles outfit to record their first win of the 2026 season.
Both sides 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 textbook 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,” she 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 only convert 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 will happen if we are consistent.”
Toet moved Eloise Wills into 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 is more than happy to contribute wherever the team needs her at the time.”
Toet added by moving Wills into attack it 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 half.
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 are 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.
Other games
The Horsham Saints unveiled their 2025 premiership flag in impressive fashion with an 85-27 win against the Southern Mallee Thunder.
Playing at Coughlin Park, the Saints came out firing with a 23-10 first quarter, before maintaining control of each third with a 20-2 second quarter.
A 31-goal halftime lead was extended to 44 goals at the final break, before the hosts eventually won by 58.
Jorja Clode stood tall with 61 goals for the victors, while Lena Marshman added 22 and Olivia Taylor two goals.
Phoebe Bigham scored the bulk of the Thunder’s goals with 20, while Kierra Schumann and Luca Landrigan added four and three goals, respectively.
At City Oval, Horsham bounced back from its Anzac Day loss to beat Stawell 65-49.
Imogen Worthy top-scored for the home side with 43 goals, while coach Georgie Carberry added 22.
Carberry was named best on court with goalkeeper Ebonie Salter, who played a key role on Warriors’ goalshooter Ayva Mitchell.
Mitchell, who scored 33 goals for the visitors, was named best on court with midcourter Erin Freeland.
Finally, Minyip Murtoa and Nhill shared the points following a 36-36 draw.
Playing at the freshly opened Minyip netball courts, the Burras got out to a 13-11 lead before the Tigers drew level at half-time.
The sides traded goals in the second, scoring 11 each, with nothing separating the sides at the final break.
As conditions worsened, scoring opportunities diminished, and both teams could add only four goals in the last quarter.
Despite drawing level with more than six minutes left to play, neither side could add the game-winning goal before full time.
Jenna Schneider scored 14 goals for the home side, while Tamira Cullinan and Jessica Newell added 11 each.
Ruby James led the visitors with 13 goals, just ahead of Zara Polkinghorne (12) and Charlotte Foulds (11).