A CRACKING A Grade netball clash between arguably the two strongest contenders to Wentworth’s crown ensued as Mildura held on for a 49-41 victory over Irymple.
Rare for recent Saturdays, the sun was finally shining, but increased pace and physicality also gave indication that finals were drawing closer.
Three weeks from the Demons and Swallows facing each other again in the qualifying final, any idea of holding anything back was seemingly thrown out the window as both teams attacked every contest at Brian Weightman Oval with vigour.
Mildura’s start enabled them to hold the advantage through plenty of impressive Irymple fightbacks, something coach Ellie Vincent, who returned back from a couple of weeks overseas, was happy with.
“What we’ve been working on is that first quarter and coming out being physical,” she said.
“Irymple are a physical side and we saw that again today. I really enjoy that body-on-body, so we’re just trying to prepare those training sessions during the week so that Saturdays are much easier to come out and hopefully get the opposition chasing us, rather than us chasing them.
“It felt good to be back on the court with the girls and what they’ve worked on. Obviously, finals are in our sight now and I think the top five are pretty set, so we’re just nitpicking those little things.”
It was another commanding performance from Mildura’s Ava Zadow, who was back in her regular defensive post, while Molly McDonald gets better every week in wing attack.
For the Swallows, young defender Lily Droffelaar had some bright moments against a tough attack duo in Vincent and Jess McNamara, and the consistent Shakara Delcastagne was again her side’s conduit through the centre.
Vincent said the team would go “back to basics” for their final two home-and-away matches before finals.
“Anything can happen in finals, last year we had Ally Leng go down before finals, so this year we’re protecting her with everything we’ve got, but just enjoying ourselves being together as a team,” she said.
– Mitch Rodd
Dogs lock in finals
SOUTH Mildura ended a three-game losing streak and, in the process, sealed their place in the top five with comfortable 14-goal victory over Robinvale Euston at the Mildura Sporting Precinct.
The Bulldogs also levelled their season record at 7-7, the same as fourth-placed Ouyen United, and have a seemingly comfortable run into finals with games against bottom side Red Cliffs and Imperials, who are seventh.
However, coach Tara Bate was taking nothing for granted as her charges fine-tuned for finals action.
“There’s no easy games,” Bate, who missed a second straight game, said.
“It depends on what’s happening throughout the week – like injuries – and there are a few things you just can’t help. I’m just thankful I’ve got a team that’s happy to adapt and push through.
“We were hoping to be a bit higher at this stage of the season … but the girls are working hard and that’s all we can ask.”
The Bulldogs were the slicker passing team from the start, and extended their lead at each break on their way to a comfortable but not overwhelming victory over a team struggling at the wrong end of the table.
“There’s probably just a lot of little things we need to improve on – like getting around players and things like that so our combinations work a bit more,” Bate said.
“We’ve had people in and out of the side, so it’s just a matter of them getting used to each other and playing.”
In an even team performance, Bate singled out tireless Alyse Ross and shooter Madison Jess as leading lights.
The Eagles also had standout performers in consistent Kirsten Neyland and midcourter Belle Giofrelle, but the visitors were outclassed and outsized.
“I think we did well considering how strong a team South have become this year,” coach and sharp-shooting goal attack Georgia Giofrelle said.
“They had height all throughout the court and we struggled with that. We can’t grow overnight … I wish we could. Height can be a factor, but it mainly depends on our mindset coming into games.
“We are going up against (second-placed) Mildura and (undefeated) Wentworth in our last two games. We will give it our all and try to end the season on a high note.”
– Tym Glaser
Kangas bounce back
A QUICK start by Red Cliffs wasn’t enough to keep Ouyen United at bay as the Kangas lifted after quarter-time to win 57-45 at Underbool.
Ouyen United coach Kyra Nathan was very positive about the performance.
“Both teams started off really well,” she said.
“Their goalers shot accurately and played well together and caused some headaches for our defenders.
“It took us a little bit to get our combinations going. In the last quarter we changed it up and ran away with the game in the end.”
Casey Crothers and Catherine Brown were the home side’s best, with Nathan complimenting their work together and ability to create space in the attacking end.
“It was nice to get that combination back after not having it available for a few weeks,” she said.
“They made it easy to feed the ball into the goal ring with the way they moved today.”
Ouyen United have been going nicely in 17 & Under Division 2 and some of those players got exposure to A Grade netball on Saturday.
“It was nice to have Maddi Plant starting at WA today, I thought she did really well,” Nathan said.
“Lucy O’Shannessy came on in WD and got a few intercepts for us which was great.”
Red Cliffs were determined to improve after last week’s loss to Merbein and most of their work pleased coach Romany Bowen.
“We had a point to prove to ourselves after last week’s performance,” Bowen said.
“Our focus was to be more of a team unit. We had some deep conversations during the week about what is and is not acceptable.
“We wanted to be able to stop the other team when they get a run on, and we showed progress in that today.”
Hannah Tuifao had impressed Bowen with her development from dynamic volleyballer to A Grade netballer.
“She has incredible bounce and height and an ability to intercept, so we’re excited for when the rest of the game starts to come to Hannah,” she said.
“It was the best I’ve seen Jazmin (Parker), Zara (Copley) and Jorja (Parker) play together this season, particularly Jorja’s movement and Jazmin commanding the court a bit more as a captain.”
– Nic Vine
Positives for Magpies
FINALS may no longer be on the cards for Merbein, but the Magpies still hope to finish the home-and-away season on a high.
The girls from Kenny Park registered a second-straight A Grade win, this time at home over seventh-placed Imperials, however victories to South Mildura and Ouyen United put the final five out of reach.
Merbein coach Breigh Hammet was pleased with the 48-41 result against Imps, however there were still places her squad can improve.
“It was a good win, we dropped off again in the third quarter but were lucky to have enough of a lead that we held on,” she said.
“Our defence is solid and we have improved our reset option back to the transverse to open up the goal third.”
Captain Johannah Gray, playing game No.100, was strong again in defence.
Hammet said Darcey Chilton, who was an outstanding target in attack, had “really improved”.
“She still doubts herself at times but that confidence continues to grow,” Hammet said.
“Once she realises her full abilities she will be even stronger.”
For Imperials, Ebony Ietto and Laura Hayter were named their best performers.
Merbein have the bye this weekend, then they still have one more goal to tick off, a solid final-round performance against a finals-bound Ouyen United.
“The last two weeks will be spent training hard with the aim of putting together a strong and consistent four quarters against Ouyen out at Underbool,” Hammet said.
