By netball writers BERNIE KELLY, JOSH RISELEY, MATT TAYLOR and MITCH RODD
All tied up after goal disallowed
OUYEN United and South Mildura have played out a drama-charged 43-all draw in their SFNL A Grade clash at Blackburn Park.
There was confusion at the end with the scoreboard showing the Kangas had won by a goal.
But the last goal by the Kangas was incorrectly recorded when it was shot after the final bell, and was disallowed.
It was an epic match with the teams unable to be separated by more than a goal or two all game.
The Kangas, who made the grand final last year, remain winless after six rounds.
Ellen Morrish and Cat Brown were best for the Kangas.
Picture: Paula Mastrippolito
Young guns firing
DESPITE their youth, Irymple continue to exceed expectations, this week comfortably disposing of Imperials 41-28.
Swallows coach Sherrie Geister said it was it was really encouraging to see.
“We’re just riding the wave, I think our oldest player is 21,” she said.
“Really young team so without an older head out there, they’re doing a great job.
Geister gave a lot of the credit to the versatility and leadership of Mackenzie Ryan.
“Defensively we are always very good … Mackenzie Ryan, who started in defense and ended up in attack and then went back to defense, she was outstanding.”
Last week’s netballer of the round, Indi Spratt, was also a standout in the forward half with a number of crafty passes that set up shots.
“Most of our passages of play were quite good,” Geister said.
“We’ve been working on a lot of strategies and they seemed to pay off”
“We did have some bad passages of play though and I feel like it wasn’t so much the pressure of Imperials but rather our decision making.
On the other side of the court, it was a wake up call for Imperials, who were previously undefeated.
A slow start in particular probably never gave them a real chance, with just 4 points scored in the first quarter.
Mildura goal attack Ellie Vincent and Robinvale centre Taneh Romeo. Picture: Ben Gross
Demons brush past weakened Eagles
MILDURA has maintained their unbeaten start to the SFNL A Grade netball season with a clinical 64-30 victory against a COVID-crippled Robinvale Euston at Brian Weightman Ovals.
The 5-0 Dees’ impressive ball movement and depth of talent showed they will present stiff opposition to fellow unbeaten side Wentworth when they meet in round 9.
Dees coach Sharon Watson is thrilled in how well her side’s improving.
“There are always things to work on, but I was pleased to be able to rotate some players and try a few different combinations,” she said.
“A result like today is a reward for the effort the girls are putting in at training.”
She continues to be delighted with the performance of new recruit Ellie Vincent at goal attack.
“Ellie’s drives, her talk and her set-ups are phenomenal. She links well in attack with Jess (McNamara) who played another great game, and I thought Milli (Seward) was a really good at goal keeper.
“Milli’s my protege because that’s the spot I was playing (before retiring at the end of last season).”
Eagles coach Hayley Siddons said her netball club had been decimated by illness and personal issues this week.
“We had the equivalent of one whole side (starters and bench) out today of A and B Grade players,” she said.
“There were four out ill (COVID), a couple are away at a funeral and two are in Melbourne.
“We were hoping just to survive A Grade today and … we have four A Graders backing up in B Grade.”
Nevertheless, Siddons found positives in playing one of the powerhouse sides of the competition.
“There were passages of play where we moved the ball beautifully down the court,” she said.
“We had some former players filling in for us, including Corrine Best straight from football, out of the kindness of their hearts.”
Watson encouraged the Eagles to “stick with it’ as they build up their program.
“They are doing the tough yards and some of their players impressed me today including their goal attack (Georgia Giofrelle) who is speedy and accurate,” the Dees coach said.
Merbein goal shooter Zali McMonnies. Picture: Ben Gross
Magpies do enough
AN outstanding third quarter was enough for Merbein to hold off a spirited Red Cliffs side 52 to 47.
After leading 26 to 21 at the half time break, the Magpies flew out of the blocks to start the third quarter, reaching a 13-point advantage.
Despite a late Tigers rally, the Pies had a big enough buffer for the four points.
Red Cliffs aggressive passing allowed saw possession move quickly into attack, however it also opened a number of interception opportunities for Merbein’s strong defence, marshalled by Sophie Kroen and captain Johanna Gray.
