Sophie Gray fires off a pass for the Pies. Picture: Meagan Verstappen
Magpies crunch the numbers
A CONFIDENCE boosting 66-35 win could be an important one for Merbein, who were too good for Imperials at Kenny Park.
The home team never took their foot off the gas, showing full awareness of the percentage which could be just as important as points as they look to secure a top-four finish.
Magpies coach Breigh Hammet said she was “really, really happy” with the performance.
“We spoke last week about how we need to put the four quarters together and I felt that we did that today,” she said.
“At half time we spoke about keeping the foot on the pedal … don’t get complacent, it might come down to the same points but different percentage.”
It was a really solid game across the board for the Magpies, with Hammet applauding the effort of everyone.
Olivia Bowden had one of her better games of the season with some good passes to go along with a number of intercepts that got her team moving in transition.
“Today was a really good team effort, but I think Liv really put that pressure on the feeds which helped the other girls hunt,” Hammet said.
Both of the shooters for Merbein had a solid day, goal shooter Zali McMonnies finishing with 38 goals.
Imperials battled hard but were a fair bit off the pace.
As always, Tracey Sherlock ran hard through the middle and maintained pressure throughout the game, but on the whole they were comprehensively beaten by the Magpies.
– Josh Risely
Mildura’s Jess McNamara winds up. Picture: Meagan Verstappen
Double chance in the bag
MILDURA sealed second spot on the ladder and a double chance in the SFNL A Grade finals with a clinical 30-goal home win against Red Cliffs.
The real-feel temperature was only 6.7 degrees during the lunchtime clash, but the Dees’ defence and shooters Jess McNamara and Ellie Vincent were running hot at Brian Weightman Ovals.
Young guns Ava Zadow and Milli Seward were at their best in repelling the Tigers’ attack.
Dees coach Sharon Watson heaped praise on the pair after the decisive win.
“Our defensive pressure was outstanding today. Our defenders turned the ball over, time and time again, and their drive bringing it back into attack was great,” she said.
One of the biggest highlights of the Dees’ win was the well-timed double jumps from Zadow and Seward to spoil the shooters, including Tigers ace Jazmin Parker.
“This is something we work on at training to get the timing right and see if we can put that shooter off,” Watson said.
“Any little trick you can pull to make them overthink the shot should be used.
“The girls (Zadow and Seward) also did a good job of blocking out and getting rebounds.”
Asked if she was happy with how the team was tracking just two rounds out from finals, Watson said: “It is nice to know we are cemented into second spot now and getting a double chance.
“One team (Wentworth) has got on top of us this season but we get to test ourselves against them before finals (in round 18).
“We’ll try a few different things against them and see if they work. If they don’t so be it.
“But I’m pleased with the balance of our team. They get on so well and work hard for each other.
“That sort of thing goes a long way to the success of a team.”
– Matt Taylor
Irymple’s Jorja Delcastagne and Lily Droffelaar attempt to block out Wentworth’s Amanda Edwards. Picture: Paula Mastrippolito
Roos power on without missing star
THE Wentworth A Grade netball juggernaut continued to plow ahead with a 58 to 28 victory over Irymple at Henshilwood Oval.
It’s another ominous warning to the competition as the Roos were in control from the start against the third-placed Swallows, even while missing defensive star Natalie Vercher.
It’s all building to final round top-two clash with Mildura, before they meet again the following week in the grand final qualifier.
Christie Becker was outstanding at GK, collecting defensive rebounds and interceptions like a ’90s kid collected Pokémon cards, but as usual there were no weak links for the defending champions.
Courtney Wakefield and Ash Cameron also defended brilliantly, Jess Collihole was impressive through mid court and Amanda Edwards, Liz Rowe and Molly Mangan’s attacking combination was hard to stop. Kelsey Cameron also had a strong second half off the bench.
Credit had to be given to the Swallows for sticking with the Roos in the second half, continuing to hustle despite the margin.
Praise had to be given to the efforts of Irymple defenders Jorja Delcastegne and Lily Droffelaar who had the tough task of curtailing Edwards and Rowe, but each got a number of impressive intercepts themselves.
Shakara Delcastegne in mid court also worked her backside off for the entire contest.
Irymple are in the midst of a four team logjam fighting for the remaining to finals positions.
– Mitch Rodd
Robinvale Euston’s Georgie Kelly and the Kangas’ Catherine Brown. Picture: Sarah Buchecker
Kangas too good for Eagles
OUYEN United has defeated Robinvale Euston at Blackburn Park.
Finals scores were 50-41.
We’ll have a report from this match in Monday’s Sunraysia Daily.
