WENTWORTH confirmed their favouritism to win this year’s SFNL A Grade netball premiership with a clinical 20-goal win against second-placed Mildura on Saturday.
Star shooter Amanda Edwards had another blinder for the Roos, draining 40 of her team’s 56 goals as she proved a constant menace for the Dees’ defence.
Mildura’s 17-year-old goal keeper, Ava Zadow, did her best to contain Edwards at Mildura Recreation Reserve. However, the experienced Edwards found herself in the right positions in the circle to covert some slick build-up plays by her team.
The Roos’ win extends their unbeaten run to nine games, while the Dees remain in second with a 7-2 win-loss record.
Both of the Dees’ losses in 2022 have been to the Roos, who won the first encounter 61-33.
Dees playing co-coach Jess McNamara was delighted with her team’s performance after the Roos only put the result beyond doubt in the final quarter.
“They showed they’re the benchmark team, but I feel like the score doesn’t reflect how closely fought the game was,” she said.
“I’m super-proud of how well my girls played. Compared to when we played them the first time, there’s been incredible improvement in the team.
“I think it’s the best we’ve played all season. We have a few things to improve on to match them, and that includes our fitness.”
Edwards was also full of praise for her team, whose defence, led by goal keeper Natalie Vercher, laid the foundation for the victory.
“I’m absolutely proud of the team today. It was a full full-quarter performance, and it’s what we’ve been working on at training,” Edwards said.
“Credit to them though, they took it to us today. They’re a really good side with a lot of good, up-and-coming young girls.
“Their pressure was great, but I was impressed by how well we responded. We made sure we kept to our structures and kept cool heads.”
One of the burning questions for any side facing the Roos in the run home to the finals is how they stop Edwards.
“Ahh, that’s a tricky one. She’s a very talented lady,” McNamara said.
“I can’t give you all my secrets,” she added with a big smile, “but you’ve always got to mix things around with her, including getting two on her, and seeing what works and what doesn’t.
“Come finals time, we’ll be taking her on.”
Edwards has an incredible eye for the goal. Her shooting percentages are very high this season, as she rarely misses.
“It’s one of my jobs for the team,” she said after Saturday’s game.
The 35-year-old mother of two young boys said she didn’t much time practising her shooting at training on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
“We work more on our team aspects at training. If you’re a shooter, that’s something for myself, Lizzie Rowe and Molly Mangan to do in our own time,” she said.
South’s important win
It was the home side that was able to hold on for the victory in an all-important A Grade game between South Mildura and Irymple.
In a tight indoors affair at Mildura Sporting Precinct, the Bulldogs prevailed 40-36 over the Swallows in a game with significant final-four connotations.
These two teams, it would appear, are fighting it out for the final top-four spot. With this victory, South leapfrog the Swallows outfit into fourth place.
These two teams are now equal on 18 points, but South Mildura has a slight 0.9 percentage advantage courtesy of this win.
Raquel Ban was best on the court for the home team, while Rubie Cope was efficient in goal.
Sherrie Geister continued her excellent form in goal for Irymple, while Mackenzie Ryan worked hard all game.
In other games on Saturday, sixth-placed Imperials kept in touch with the Bulldogs and Swallows after defeating seventh-placed Red Cliffs 54-30 at Quandong Park on Saturday.
Yelena Richardson and Jacqulyn Bell were among the best for Imps, while Ebony Littore and Sophie Kroehn played well for the Tigers.
At John James Oval, eighth-placed Merbein edged out bottom-placed Robinvale Euston 51-41 on Saturday.
Lucy Martin and Emily Gray starred for the Magpies, while Mia Brigante and Georgia Giofrelle shone for the Eagles.
