OUYEN United have again proved they can adapt to all situations, defeating South Mildura while playing with a whole new combination, after losing a key player during the week.
The two teams headed into Sunday’s game ready for a tough competition, both giving their all until the final siren, despite the hot sun and windy conditions.
Ouyen United played with a new combination, after key player Tayla Willsmore injured her ACL at training.
Despite the change, the side proved they could adapt, building and maintaining a strong lead for the majority of the game, before winning by six points (48-42).
The game was extremely close during the first quarter, the Kanga’s earning an early lead, before South evened out the score, using goal height and mid-court fitness to their advantage.
South Mildura’s wing attack Maddy Toms came out strongly as a key player, utilising her speed to outrun her opponents.
Mirroring this was Ellen Morrish, who displayed flawless plays across the court, passing to goal shooters Casey Crothers and Esther Manley without fault.
In the goals, Manley was able to find space to catch the ball numerous times in the first quarter, allowing herself and Crothers the best opportunities at goal.
South’s defenders Georgia Chase and Morna Naquto performed outstandingly against the pair, but the height from Ouyen’s shooters was a huge advantage to the winning side, ultimately helping the team get ahead 14-12 at the first siren.
Heading into the second quarter, Ouyen United continued to feed into the ring well, with Morrish and centre co-coach Kyra Nathan finding opportunities to get around South’s quick defenders.
Chase and Naquto, however, played aggressively in defence, able to intercept the ball several times.
South Mildura lost some opportunities at goal early in the quarter, but bad passes from the Kangas saw South’s goal shooters Rubie Cope and Amy Lutze increase the side’s score.
Ouyen United ultimately pushed ahead, ending the half 26-19.
South stepped up in the third quarter, after Lutze boosted the side’s confidence with a quick first goal from a distance.
The team’s centre Tayla Sellens was able to feed the ball down to Cope and Lutze, increasing the team’s goals, following passing errors by Ouyen United in the attacking end.
Lutze continued her quick yet accurate shooting form for the rest of the quarter, helping the Bulldogs make a quick catch-up.
Ouyen United defenders Catherine Brown and Tsharni Burns worked hard against the pair for the full extent of the game, but Lutze’s height meant she was able to catch almost all rebounds.
Brown showed impressive defensive skills, intercepting several balls to ensure South didn’t jump ahead of the Kangas.
Despite a high-quality quarter from South, Crothers and Manley were too accurate for Ouyen United, making minimal errors in the goal circle.
South Mildura closed the margin to five (33-38) by the end of the quarter and were hungry for the win.
The sun continued to swelter as the players returned to the court for the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs appeared to have the fitter side as players began to fatigue.
Chase and Naquto were detrimental in slowing down the Kangas’ attacking players, the pair playing their best quarter of the game in the fourth.
Chase and Naquto applied pressure to Manley and Crothers during the final 15, making it harder for Morrish and Nathan to feed into the goal circle.
South closed the margin down to three points half way through, following great goals from Cope and Lutze.
It was all too little too late, however, when Ouyen United scored three goals in the final five minutes.
Crothers, whose height was a massive advantage against Naquto, shot the final goals.
Playing co-coach Nathan was emotional post-win, stating the team was relieved after a “pretty tough week”.
“We lost Tayla (Willsmore) and, she is not just a player, she is one of our best players and she’s also one of our really great friends,” she said.
“We played today with a combination we have never played before.”
Nathan said it was a good game and her team was lucky South didn’t catch up, as the side had played really well.
“(South) just tried super hard all day and they nearly got us in the end,” she said.
“Maddy Toms was awesome today and we found it really hard to combat her, she was everywhere, and their goalies shot really well.”
South’s playing coach Georgia Chase said the game was intense and physical.
She said despite the loss, she was proud of the team for making it to finals.
“At the end of the day we just played catch-up, but I’m proud of my girls, happy to finish fourth,” she said.
“We are a brand new team so I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Ouyen United’s best were co-coaches Kyra Nathan and Casey Crothers, South’s best were Amy Lutze and Tayla Sellens.
Ouyen United will now take on Mildura next week at George Gordon Oval to determine which side will play in the grand final against Wentworth.
