Netball
26 August, 2024
Warriors secure finals spot
Stawell A-grade netballers have secured their finals spot in the Wimmera Football Netball League following a 22-goal win over Ararat at Alexandra Oval in round 18.
Needing a win to secure the spot, the Warriors came out of the blocks fast, and despite Ararat testing them at times, they won 63-41.
Ebony Summers shot 35 goals, with Madi Taylor contributing 28 for the Warriors. Lisa Considine was a rock in defence.
Sophie Cooper and Jesse Bligh scored 18 goals apiece for the Rats, who also had Laney McLoughlan and Natasha Noble, their two best players on the court.
Stawell coach Jemma Clarkson said it was important for the team to go into the finals with two great wins.
"It was nice to get a comfortable win and cement our spot in the top five as we didn't want it to come down to relying on other teams, and we wanted to make sure we came home strong," Clarkson said.
Ayva Mitchell didn't play due to suffering an injury at training, so Stawell had to change things up in attack.
"We had to change up our goal circle. Madi Taylor worked wonderfully with Ebony Summers and was a standout, and Lisa Considine's guidance and direction at the other court was invaluable."
Saints head into finals with massive momentum
The Horsham Saints finished second on the ladder and head into the finals with solid momentum following a 37-goal win over Nhill at Coughlin Park.
The Saints scored 22 goals in the first quarter to lead by ten before scoring another 18 in the second to extend the margin to 17 goals at the main break.
The Tigers came out hard in the third quarter, but the Saints responded, increasing their margin to 23 at the final break. A 23-goal fourth quarter saw them run out 82-45 winners.
Jorja Clode scored 57 goals in the win, and Abby Hallam scored 27. Megan Byrne was excellent at wing attack for the Saints.
Ruby James scored 30 goals for the Tigers, and Ellen Bennett scored their best through the centre.
Saints coach Jess Cananne said the team wanted to ensure it did everything right to be ready for the finals and is happy with its current state.
"The last couple of weeks, we had big wins, but the percentage didn't change too much, so we knew it would be a long shot to finish on top, so we just worked on what we needed to work on as a team," Cannane said.
"It was all about playing our game and not getting caught up in too much of what they were doing. We played with the starting seven the whole game, which was pleasing."
Burras fall short against the Roos
Minyip Murtoa put in a brave performance on Saturday at Murtoa Recreation Reserve, losing by two points to Dimboola.
It was a tight first quarter, with the visitors leading by one goal at quarter-time, but the Burras' huge second-quarter performance saw them lead by two goals during the main break.
The Burras came out firing in the third, extending their lead to five goals at three-quarter time and could sniff victory.
The Burras were in the game throughout the last quarter, but an injury to Hayley Campbell with five minutes to go broke their momentum, enabling Dimboola to capitalise and run out 56-54 winners.
Kirby Knight and Claire Mackay scored 34 and 20 goals, respectively, for the Burras. Taylor Forster and Johanna Griffiths were the two best players in defence.
Nicole Polycarpou scored 34 goals for Dimboola, and Billie Barber was great through the centre.
Burras coach Kirby Knight said she is proud of the girls.
"I am proud of all the girls that put in that performance with what we were going into the game with," Knight said.
"When Hayley came off, and we brought on one of our juniors, we lost composure and started to get a little erratic and panicked, and Dimboola were good enough to capitalise.
"All in all, I am grateful to the girls who have gone out each week and stepped up when needed, taking on different roles than they had previously had and giving it a crack."
Demons finish on top with tough win over the Thunder
The Southern Mallee Thunder put in a brave performance against the ladder leaders, Horsham Demons, losing by 12 goals at Beulah Memorial Park.
The Demons led by 11 goals at quarter-time and then 12 at half-time in a great first-half display.
The Thunder stayed with them in the third, trailing by ten goals at three-quarter time. They fought hard in the last, but the Demons were too strong, winning 54-42.
Imogen Worthy scored 35 goals for the Demons, and Romi Miller and Keely Pope were their best at goal and wing defence, respectively.
Steph Thomson finished off a brilliant year for the Thunder, scoring 28 goals, with Sydney Thorogood excellent goal shooter and Rylee Cocks as one of their best through the centre.