By netball writers MATT TAYLOR, MITCH RODD and TYM GLASER
Imperials’ Millie Kuhne
Dees building for blockbuster
MILDURA had just put Imperials to the sword in their SFNL A Grade netball game before attention quickly turned to their titanic clash with fellow unbeaten side Wentworth next weekend.
The Dees were commanding in their 63-24 win against Imps.
In fact, it was their best defensive effort of the season, bettering the 28 goals conceded to Ouyen United in Round 4.
Dees captain Jess McNamara said her team was improving each week as they prepared for the tough assignment against the defending premiers in round 9.
“There are things we still need to improve on, but we’ve had seven games to build up towards playing Wentworth, and I think we’ll be ready for the challenge,” she said.
The reigning Jackie Horkings Medal winner gave a nod to the team’s impressive defence.
“Our defence has been really good all season,” McNamara said.
“Every player on the court has a defensive role to play, including in the offensive circle.”
She lauded the depth in the Dees’ starting five and bench, and said that would be an important against the Roos.
“To beat them, we’ll need a strong effort throughout the court. They are very talented and will defeat us if we don’t play well as a team,” she said.
South’s Sarah Telfer. Picture: Ben Gross
South outstretches Eagles
A SUBLIME second half from South Mildura led them to a 64 to 33 victory over Robinvale Euston at MSP.
South opened up a 16 to 10 quarter time lead as both sides displayed outstanding athleticism in an enthralling early contest.
The Eagles needed to be creative heading forward as their shooters were disadvantaged by height, this resulting in some outstanding long passes.
These were especially to the advantage of the fleet-footed Georgia Giofrelle, who had an outstanding one-on-one battle against fellow young gun Morna Naquto all game.
South, however, pounced on any slight mistake and Ellen Brewster was deadly, scoring 22 goals to give South a 28-17 advantage at the half.
Raquel Ban was pulling the strings at WA as was Tara Bate in the middle.
The Eagles could have found themselves further behind if not for the positioning of Angelina Fevaleaki at GK and the work of captain Taneh Romeo at centre, while Penny Follet also produced some good plays in defence after starting as sub.
South’s cross court defensive pressure came to the fire in the third quarter, interrupting a number of Robinvale Euston forward thrusts. It allowed them to pull away and lead 42 to 25 at the final change.
The home side took advantage of a tired Eagles outfit in the final term, hitting the net 22 times through Brewster and Sarah Telfer.
Wentworth’s Courtney Wakefield. Picture: Meagan Verstappen
Wenty wallops Magpies
REIGNING premiers Wentworth continued on their winning ways in the SFNL A grade competition with a whopping 40-goal victory over hosts Merbein at the Kenny Park courts.
Things looked bleak at the halftime break for the Magpies as they were 17 down, but any hopes of a second-half rally or an easing off by the rampaging Roos failed to materialise, as the visitors simply cranked up their game all over the court.
They held Merbein to a mere two goals in the third period while piling on 17 on their way to a 64-24 rout.
Swarming defence was a key to the victory but the champions dominated all over the court.
Natalie Vercher and Ashlee Cameron were chosen the team’s best, but that honour could have gone to any of the starting seven.
“That was a very good performance today,” Wenty coach and sharpshooter Amanda Edwards said.
“We know we have a target on our back and expect a tough game each week, so I am very proud of how the team has responded,” she said of the undefeated side as it faces perhaps its toughest challenge against fellow ladder leaders Mildura in its final fixture of the first round.
After a solid first quarter, Merbein, whose record has slipped to 3-4, simply could not match the size, speed and pace of ball movement of Wentworth. Sophie Kroehn and Olivia Bowden were named their best.
Kangas too good for Tiges
Down at Blackburn Park, Ouyen United secured what was in the end a comfortable win over Red Cliffs.
Final scores were 46-32.
We’ll publish a match report from that game later.
