Sport
11 August, 2024
Team defence key for Horsham Saints in victory against Burras | WFNL R16
The Saints' defence adapted after Kirby Knight was targeted early.
WFNL
Horsham
The Horsham Saints have continued its winning run after a 78-42 victory against Minyip Murtoa in round 16 of the WFNL on Saturday, August 10.
For Saints coach Jess Cannane, she was pleased with how the side's defence adapted.
Burras shooter [and coach] Kirby Knight was targeted by long passes into the attacking ring.
"When you've got such a target as Kirby is in goal shooter, we knew that that was going to be their direct line," Cannane said
"It just took us a little while to remember what we needed to do from a defensive strategy point of view.
"[It is] a credit to our girls that they adjusted really quickly to that, and we able to start to get some touches and slow that feed into Kirby, and then turn that into intercepts and rebounds."
But it was not just the work in the defensive ring that impressed Cannane; the pressure applied up the court was also important.
"We've been working on starting that defence right from our goal shooter and making sure that it goes baseline to baseline," she said.
"It may not necessarily be our wing attack and goal attack that get the intercept, but it might actually build that pressure so that we bring our wing defence, goal defence, or keeper into the mix."
The ball was moved quickly from end to end early at Coughlin Park.
The Saints lifted its pressure in the latter part of the quarter and led by six goals at the first change.
Minyip Murtoa added three of the first four goals in the second term as it looked to close the deficit.
However, the home side quickly upped the pace of play as it led by 19 goals at half time.
Tempo remained high from both sides through the mid-court in the third term as the Saints extended its lead to 28 goals.
The Saints maintained its intensity throughout the final quarter as it recorded the 36-goal win.
Jorja Clode shot 49 goals for the Saints.
Knight added 25 for Minyip Murtoa.
Southern Mallee v Nhill
The Thunder has recorded a second-straight win against a top-five opponent, defeating Nhill 60-49 at Rainbow Recreation Reserve.
A strong first term from Southern Mallee gave the home side a six-goal lead at the first change, an advantage that was trimmed to four at half time.
However, Thunder responded in the third and did not allow Nhill to enter the lead.
Steph Thomson shot 39 goals for Southern Mallee and joined Codie Robins in the best.
Ruby James added 35 goals for the Tigers, as Courtney Hillier and Claudia McRae were named in the best.
Warrack v Stawell
The Warriors have ground out a 44-35 win against Warrack at Anzac Park.
Stawell held the Eagles to single digits in the first term before the home side rallied to trail by four goals at half time.
The margin was extended into double digits in the third term, which proved too much for Warrack to overcome.
Leiah McKenzie and Charlie Inkster were named in the best for the home side.
Jemma Clarkson and Meg Walker stood out for Stawell.
Ararat v Dimboola
The Roos came from three goals behind at half time to defeat Ararat 57-47 at Alexandra Oval.
The 33-30 scoreline at the main interval turned into a one-goal lead for Dimboola before Ash Morrish's side pulled away in the fourth term.
Sophie Cooper shot 27 goals for the home side.
Laney McLoughlan and Natasha Noble featured in the best.
Nicole Polycarpou and Maddison Marra both added 20 goals.
Marra joined Indy Ward in the best.