MILDURA’S perfect start to the A Grade netball season continued at Kenny Park as the Demons secured a nine-goal win over Merbein.
The warm conditions took their toll on all players across the contest but it was a burst of six consecutive goals from the visitors in the second quarter that ultimately put the game in their favour.
Merbein reduced the 15-goal three quarter time margin with an impressive final term, but the Mildura’s ability to execute perfectly placed passes ensured the 55-46 scoreline.
Demons captain Ally Leng pulled the strings in a brilliant mid-court performance, running herself into the ground across the entire contest.
The movement patterns and rebounding abilities of shooters Jess McNamara and Ellie Vincent were on full display as the athletic duo had an entertaining match-up against Magpies defenders Johannah Gray and Sophie Kroehn.
Veteran Sharon Watson provided the calm presence in defence, while off-season addition Hanna Zambelli has slotted nicely into the wing defence position.
Coach Vincent said she was “stoked” for her side to get two early wins on the board.
“A win is a win and early in the season you take as many of those as you can,” she said.
“A couple of games in, we’re starting to see how our dynamics are working, where we’ve made improvements and what we can still work on too.
“The score fluctuated during the game so I was really proud of how the girls ran it out and found that momentum when we needed to.”
Vincent said she has loved playing alongside McNamara in attack.
“To have someone like Jess playing alongside you is brilliant,” she said.
“She’s just got these long limbs and can jump so high to grab the ball it’s incredible… each time we think she can’t go any higher than that she does it again.
“Playing as a tall-small attacking team as well I think helps because we bring different dynamics but to have her height and athleticism is huge.”
Breigh Hammet’s Merbein side deserve huge credit for not throwing in the towel, and the Pies will certainly be a team in the mix for the new final five.n provided a great target in attack while versatile duo Stephanie White and Olivia Bowden were impressive in multiple positions.
