Bulldogs hanging in
SOUTH Mildura kept their finals hopes alive with a hard-fought 54-50 victory against a much-improved Robinvale Euston at John James Ovals.
The Bulldogs, who fell from third to sixth last round, needed to win to keep pace in an enthralling four-way battle with Ouyen United, Irymple and Merbein for the last two finals spots.
The Sally Moore-coached visitors held a narrow lead for much of Saturday’s contest against the spirited young Eagles.
Georgia Giofrelle, who has taken her game to a new level this season, combined well with the versatile Taneh Romeo in attack to keep the Eagles in the hunt.
However, the Bulldogs kept their composure to seal an important win.
“Our defence and attack did really well, but it was just a battle getting the ball through the midcourt,” Moore said.
“Kudos to them, but we managed to keep possession well in the final quarter and settled things down.
“Fingers crossed we make the finals. We feel like we’re playing some good netball now after some changes in our team. We really want show what we can do against the best.”
Hayley Siddons’ side, who have the final-round bye, finish the season in eighth place with just two wins.
However, they have been competitive against finals-bound teams in recent weeks.
Siddons said she was proud of her team after a tough year of rotating 35 players through A and B grades.
“To stick at it and be competitive against nearly every side was amazing,” she said.
“The girls now have a greater belief that they can compete well against the top sides and we have plenty to look forward to in the future.”
– Matt Taylor
Picture: Ben Gross
Finals hopes come down to the last game
THE result in Wentworth and Merbein’s game at George Gordon oval has ensured that the last round of the season will boast some tantalising matchups ahead of the finals.
Although the Roos did Wentworth things to run out strong winners 63-28, Merbein’s now-depleted margin means that next round against Irymple it will be a must win if they wish to play in finals.
Meanwhile for Wentworth, motivation appears to have stayed consistent, with the usual suspects of the team putting the foot on the pedal in the second half.
Coach Amanda Edwards, with her basketball-like moves and shooting, was unstoppable at one end, while Nat Vercher provided a strong mismatch at the other, both players imposing themselves as they always do.
Edwards said her team improved as the game played out.
“I thought the first half was highly contested, but I thought in the second half we were able to get our flow and rhythm going in the game,” she said.
“The girls are up and about and keen to finish the season off strong. It’s a different game come finals time.”
Edwards also said that it was nice to see a number of players at the club recognised in Sunraysia Daily’s list of the league’s top 25 players, three of whom were in the top five.
“I was so proud of all the girls, highly deserving, they all work really hard so they deserve that recognition.”
For the Magpies, it appeared their game plan was working well early, but in the third they started to lose momentum, a hard fall to goal-attack Emily Gray typifying the turn that the game took.
It will be do or die for the Magpies next week when they meet the Swallows at Kenny Park.
– Josh Riseley
Mildura’s Alexandra Leng. Picture: Kim Anstey
Dees get a workout ahead of heavyweight bout
MILDURA enjoyed a solid sparring session against Imperials, winning all four rounds on their way to a 64-40 victory that sets up a final-round heavyweight clash with unbeaten defending A Grade champions Wentworth next Saturday.
In the Brian Weightman Oval courts derby, second-on-the-ladder Mildura were just too slick for their game opponents and should have won by a wider margin except for some wayward shooting late in the game.
Imps simply could not counter the Demons’ long, accurate passing and swarming defence from the start of the game and while not swamped, were also never truly in the lopsided contest.
While a familiar coach’s mantra is “one game at a time”, the Dees’ Sharon Watson conceded her side had one eye on the clash ahead with potential grand final rivals the Roos.
“We had some targets we wanted to hit today which we didn’t quite reach, but it was still a comfortable win.” Watson said. “We tried and tested a few things today which is always good coming into finals when anything can happen.
“I have a high bar and we have a high bar to play next week. We are coming to the pointy end and it’s the perfect medium to see where thing are at,” she said.
“We are in the same situation we were in last year – one and two – and that still haunts me. If things don’t work how we want to next week we reassess and we go again in that first week of the finals.
“Next week to me is another learning game … they beat us by 14 (in the first round) and we have come a long way since then.”
Jess McNamara and Ava Zadow were chosen Mildura’s best in a fine all-round team performance, while Kia Scott and Laura Hayter stood out for the day’s host side.
– Tym Glaser
Kangas just about there
OUYEN United all but have a semi-final berth secured with a nine-point win over Red Cliffs at Quandong Park.
The young Tigers didn’t make it easy for the Kangas, the winless side delivering one of their best performances of the season.
Final scores were 50 to 41 .
Ouyen United we’re well in control for much of the first half, however a brilliant final five minutes of the second term from the Tigers brought them right back to a 19-24 half time scoreline.
Some uncharacteristic missed passes from the Kangas, there was never any panic as the cool heads kept control across the game a every time the home side scored, the visitors seemed to respond in quick succession.
Tsharni Burns lead the way with her interceptions from defence, and the all-action Ellen Morrish provided real energy.
Esther Manley continues to shine in defence, star Catherine Brown barely put a foot wrong in attack, and youngster Maggie Smith continues her impressive development as shooter, her height causing headaches for her opponents.
Kyra Nathan and Megan Jardine’s sublime passing in to her shooters was brilliant to watch.
For the Tigers, centre Jacqulyn Bell never stopped moving and was a fulcrum for the Tigers attacks, sisters Jazmin and Jorja Parker combined well in attack, while Yelena Richardson and Mickayla Mole put in strong shifts in defence.
– Mitch Rodd
