South’s Morna Naquto. Picture: Paula Mastrippolito
Legendary stuff
IN Greek mythology, Oedipus solved the Riddle of the Sphinx after many before him had been devoured after false answers.
It’s going to take a similar mythical effort to unravel the Riddle of the Roos before seemingly invincible Wentworth eats up the entire SFNL A Grade again this season.
The runaway ladder leaders and defending champions marched to their 10th straight victory in 2023, against No. 3-ranked South Mildura, at the chilly Mildura Sporting Precinct courts by a more than comfortable 27 points.
They burst out of the gates and held a game-winning 18-4 lead at the first break and enhanced that to 31-13 at halftime.
The Bulldogs held steady in the third before Wenty turned it up a notch in the final act, which ended 57-30.
The Roos simply have talent to burn all over the court and a system their opponents cannot breach.
“We got plenty of ball but we just didn’t finish off in the attacking third in that third quarter, so we’ve got plenty to work on,” said sharp-shooting coach Amanda Edwards trying to find some fault after the lopsided encounter.
However, she did concede her team was travelling pretty well.
“I think our brand of netball is probably what is winning us games … and our structures. The key word for us is discipline and sticking with those structures,” Edwards said.
Goal shooter Edwards outscored Souths on her own with 34 points, but following the unwritten player/coach rule, her team’s best went to Ashlee Cameron and Courtney Wakefield.
The hosts’ top performers were deemed to be Tara Hammerstein and Tayla Sellens.
– Tym Glaser
Ouyen United’s Esther Manley defends against Irymple shooter Meg Hammond. Picture: Jo Morrish
Kangas on the bounce
OUYEN United rebounded from last week’s loss to a dominant Wentworth superbly, recording a comprehensive 47 – 32 goal win over Irymple.
The Kangas separated themselves from the Swallows early, racing out to an eight-goal lead at quarter time. Maggie Smith was the focal point for the Kangas, scoring 10 of her 30 goals in the first quarter. Irymple’s Indy Spratt did her best to keep Irymple in the game, scoring all 10 goals in the second quarter, which was the only quarter the Swallows would win. Ouyen responded with a 16-8 goal third quarter, which put the game beyond doubt.
It was quite the contrast from their first encounter this season. In fact, Smith’s 30 goals outscored Ouyen’s 29 goals they managed in that game, which Irymple won by 10.
Kangas coach Kyra Nathan was full of praise for 14-year-old Smith, who starred in just her second A Grade game this season.
“Maggie is a tall, holding shooter, which our team has been used to in previous years. She’s got a lot of potential and can play at both ends of the court. She is a sponge. She listens and is ready to take on feedback,” Nathan said.
“Catherine Brown had some excellent sweeps into the circle and complimented Maggie well. It was a much better team game by us this week.”
Ellen Morrish was dominant in centre.
The win sees the Kangas in the top four for the first time this season and makes for a tantalising match up against Merbein, the team Ouyen replaced this week.
“It’s a must win for us to solidify fourth spot,” noted Nathan.
Irymple’s best were Spratt in goal attack and Sophie Price in wing defence. They will be looking to them to perform well again to knock off third-placed South Mildura to stay in touch of that coveted fourth position.
– Nic Vine
Mildura’s Katelyn Challis. Picture: Paula Mastrippolito
Dees in control
MILDURA remain well on the way to a top-two finish with a commanding 62 to 35 win over another top four contender in Merbein at Brian Weightman Oval.
Opening a 20-goal lead at halftime the Demons were in full control across the game, proving that only the brilliant Wentworth side stand between them and flag favouritism.
Defensive trio Milli Steward, Ava Zadow and Katelyn Challis were well in sync and pulled out many impressive interceptions to maintain control.
Merbein’s possession-based game was on show, however some in accurate back passes were to their detriment by allowing Demon defenders in.
Ally Leng’s work in the centre was a catalyst for athletic attackers Jess McNamara, Ellie Vincent and Maddie Alvino to find space, with their exceptional positioning a real highlight.
In her return A Grade match following a horror ankle injury last year, Magpies coach Breigh Hammet led by example in defence alongside Sophie Kroehn, however they were powerless at times to stop the Demons bullet passes.
One particular play from the uber-athletic McNamara was impressive, pouching a pass in her fingertips like a Premier League soccer goalkeeper before draining the shot whole barely breaking a sweat.
Zadow also grabbed an impressive seemingly ‘no-look’ interception in the final term which earned huge cheers from the home crowd.
– Mitch Rodd
Eagles goal attack Georgia Giofrelle. Picture: Ben Gross
All tied up
ROBINVALE Euston and Imperials tied 48-all in the fourth game. We’ll have a match report from that clash in Monday’s Sunraysia Daily.
