AFTER securing their first win in eight years earlier this season, Red Cliffs are daring to dream bigger after overcoming Merbein.
The Tigers now see next Saturday’s clash with Irymple as an opportunity to put their name among the finals contenders at the halfway mark of the season.
Red Cliffs overcame a determined Magpies outfit 49 to 45 at Kenny Park after a strong final quarter showing where they scored seven of the first 10 goals to set up their third win for the 2022 season.
Jasmin Parker was a powerhouse for the Tigers, taking advantage of several overhead entries close to the post, and provided a crucial outlet for Red Cliffs as they quickly erased a one-point three-quarter time deficit to lead 42-39 before trading scores until the final siren.
Red Cliffs coach Steph O’Loughlin said her team kept opening the door to Merbein in the first half and undermined their own solid work in defence.
“At quarter time I told the team we had got about 10 turnovers and we’d given back about 80 per cent of the ball,” O’Loughlin said. “We can’t afford to do that and that’s what I wanted them to work on.
“It’s just our tempo – once we get the turnover, we get excited, and we want to go quickly. But it’s more about being calm and keeping possession.”
It was a message shared by Merbein coach Breigh Hammet.
Hammet said Merbein, who had led at three-quarter time in each of their three close losses (by four points or less), were unable to shake the feeling they were “playing catch up”.
“It’s just getting that experience into the kids and letting them know that mistakes are okay, leave the mistake behind and celebrate the positive,” Hammet said.
“It’s owning those little wins so that they can back themselves and put the nerves away.”
O’Loughlin said the Tigers’s round 9 meeting with Irymple was “crucial” for keeping Red Cliffs’ finals flame in view.
“If we can get that win against Irymple, then we’ll be sitting fourth or fifth,” O’Loughlin said, depending on other results. “I said to the girls, ‘let’s go into the halfway point anywhere from fourth to sixth and anything can happen’.” Kangas storm homeOuyen United’s premiership defence remains firmly in play after defeating Robinvale Euston by 22 at Underbool.
The Kangas struggled early to shake off a determined Eagles’ team that only trailed by one goal at half time.
Wayward passing and missed shots on goal, albeit from distance, were telling.
Conversly, the Eagles were razor sharp through solid play from Giorgia Giofrelle (GA) and her sister Belle (C).
But Cat Brown (GD) and Tsharni Burn (GK) put in stunners for the home team, as the Kangas surged clear in a dominant third quarter, leading by 16 at the last change before cruising home in the last..
“We were seriously challenged in the first half,” Kangas bench coach Casey Crothers said.
“Our defensive pressure was excellent – Cat (Brown) and Tsharni (Burns) changed the game for us with their hard work and application.”
Although ensconced on the bottom of the ladder, the Eagles’ master coach Maria Falvo was upbeat about the game.
Yes, this is Don Falvo’s sister who claims she taught the multiple McLeod medallist his complete skill set!
“I was happy with our effort – we are pushing teams and that’s important,” she said.Irymple v ImperialsTHAT the four best players on the court were the respective defenders from each team spoke of the defensive nature of the contest.
But it was Irymple who made the most of their opportunities to record a hard fought 42-31 win over Imperials.
The first quarter was a tight affair with the teams going goal for goal for the first seven goals each, before consecutive long-range shots by Irymple’s Sherrie Geister gave the Swallows a narrow lead at the first break.
During the first quarter Irymple GK Jorja Delcastenge had an enforced rest due to a bloodied lip. But she returned with a steely resolve at the start of the second term, shutting down numerous Imps’ attacks to help her team extend the margin to five goals.
It was similarly tight in the third, but Imps could not reduce the margin, and when the Swallows went on a six goal to one spree in the early stages of the last quarter, the result was all but sealed.
“I’m really happy with how the girls gelled, especially in the backline,” Irymple coach Tammie Rowe said after the game.
“Our defenders worked well together, and they brought the ball down to our attack end which is what we have been working on.”
Imperials defenders Meg McManus and Bridget Bennet made it difficult for the Irymple shooters to get clean ball in the ring all day, forcing them to take many low percentage long-range shots.
“Our defenders played really well. They stuck really tight,” Imperials coach Deb Scott said.
“They rebounded well and got quite a few intercepts.”
In the day’s other games, Wentworth kept a firm hold of top spot as they defeated South Mildura 56-32 to remain unbeaten. Courtney Wakefield and Molly Mangan starred for the Roos at home, while Maddison Toms and Georgia Chase were the best for the Bulldogs.
