Netball
3 June, 2024
Warriors bounce back with solid win
Stawell has bounced back from their loss against the Demons last week to defeat the Warrack Eagles by 18 goals at Central Park in round seven of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
The Eagles brought the heat in the first half, trailing by five goals at quarter time to reduce the margin to three at half time.
The Warriors got into their groove in the third quarter scoring 15 goals to seven to take an 11-goal lead into three-quarter time. They scored 13 goals in the last quarter to run out 52-34 winners.
Warrior's Meg Walker, alternating between wing defence and goal defence was best on the court with Lisa Considine also great in defence.
Youngster Ayva Mitchell continued her good season with 32 goals with Ebony Summers shooting 20.
Stawell coach Jemma Clarkson said they wanted a convincing win.
"The first half was tight and after half time we came out with fire in the belly as we wanted to win this match and win it convincingly," Clarkson said.
"We made a couple of positional changes and was able to take hold of that third quarter and came away in the fourth which was pleasing to see."
The changes they made during the game focused on the defenders with Clarkson explaining they have been trialing how to play them all season.
"Lauren Homden, Meg Walker and Lisa Considine we shuffled around on Saturday and it paid dividends," Clarkson said.
"Lisa was swung back to goal keeper from goal defence and read the play beautifully and took a few intercepts in the second half and Meg played a tight game at goal defence after moving from wing defence.
"We brought Lauren out to wing defence from goal keeper and she was loud and encouraging and helped lift the spirits down the court."
Clarkson also highlighted Ayva Mitchell.
"Ayva has stepped up and is going from strength to strength. She has a lot of netball under her belt also playing for the Interleague team for the Wimmera and is playing some fantastic netball. I am proud of how she is playing," Clarkson concluded.
For the Eagles, Ava Koschitzke was their best player alongside Ashlynn McKenzie with Sarah Marchment leading the way in attack with 20 goals.
Eagles coach Leiah McKenzie said they are slowly learning and building as a team.
"We got a good start and we were strong and were able to execute things nicely in the midcourt and into the goal ring," McKenzie said.
"After the half time break, they rattled us with pressure and were strong and it was too much for some of the girls.
"We are still learning about intensity and pressure and starting to come to terms with it."
McKenzie was thrilled with how McKenzie and Koschitzke bonded.
"Ashlynn had a week off last week and she came back into the side and gave guidance to the young girls, especially Ava in the midcourt, bonding and coming together as a duo," McKenzie said.
"It was pleasing to see them build connections and another duo, Jordan Heller and Charlie Inkster in defence are also becoming a stronger duo."
Saints win a tough, physical game
The Horsham Saints defeated Minyip Murtoa by 21 points at Murtoa Recreation Reserve in a tough, physical contest.
The Burras kept up with the Saints in the first quarter, trailing by eight goals at quarter time. They battled hard in the second, with the Saints extending the lead to 14 points at half time.
In the second half, the Burras kept on the Saints' toes, but the premiership favourites were too good, running out 67-46 winners.
Jorja Clode led the way for the Saints with 38 goals whilst Abby Hallam was best on the court with 27 goals and Ashlee Grace was again one of the best through the centre.
Saints coach Jess Cannane said they were expecting a physical contest, and was also pleased with how recruit, Holly Phillips played.
"We match up well with them across all positions and they took it to us," Cannane said.
"Holly plays in defence and she is moving out here from Melbourne and we were the lucky ones to get her signature.
"She displayed how good she is on Saturday so we will look over the coming weeks what the best combinations are moving forward."
For the Burras, Ashlee Rintoule was their best player at wing attack with Claudia Griffiths having another solid game alternating between wing defence and centre.
Burras coach Kirby Knight said she was happy with how the girls played.
"They kept their heads for four quarters and considering the Saints are a top side, I am happy with how the girls played the game out," Knight said.
"We can take away pointers and improve on things, and I like how everything we have worked on recently at training has been coming together.
"The girls are playing a team game and have each other's backs on the court and we managed to minimise the turnovers which is good."
Knight said Rintoule hadn't played wing attack much and was impressed by the game she played.
"The main reason we put her in there was for a bit of a steady/calm/secure role with the ball in hand and she provided that all day and led from the front and fed well," Knight said.
"Her defensive pressure was good and was the calming factor we needed and Tamika Mentha was also great in the midcourt along with Claudia Griffiths."
Roos defeat Rats by 28 goals
Dimboola had a solid 59-31 win over Ararat at Dimboola Recreation Reserve.
They got out the blocks fast securing a 10-goal lead at quarter time, extending it to 20 at half time.
In the second half, Ararat played better, but Dimboola was far too good for the young Ararat team.
Nicole Polycarpou led the way with 26 goals for Dimboola with Stephanie Glover and Bridget Dorrington best on the court.
For the Rats, Jesse Bligh scored 10 goals with Laney McLoughlan one of their best players.
Ararat coach Sally Noble said McCloughlan has been 'killing it' and even though they go into the break without a win, is happy with the way they are building.
"She has stepped up in defence after moving down there and I am very impressed with her," Noble said.
"We are a young team and we are learning from every game and I am not putting pressure on anyone as it's not about the scoreboard, but rather about developing our game."
Tigers have solid win over the Thunder
Nhill had a tough eight-goal win over the Southern Mallee Thunder at Davis Park.
The first quarter was tight with neither side giving an inch with the Tigers taking a slender one-goal lead into quarter time. They extended the lead to three points at half time following another tight quarter.
The third quarter was the same as the first half, as the Tigers extended the lead to four goals at the last break. An 11-goal to-seven final quarter saw the Tigers run out 46-38 winners.
Emma Beer shot 22 goals for the Tigers with Ellen Bennett best on the court through the centre with Emma Hawker solid down back.
For the Thunder, Steph Thomson scored 26 goals with Abby White again brilliant at goal keeper and Connie Rule great at wing defence.