MILDURA’s scorching first quarter set them up for a solid win against a charred Merbein Magpies in their SFNL A Grade netball match at Compound Accounting Park on Saturday.
Merbein’s defenders Kieta McKee and Johannah Gray had the ominous task of trying to stop Demons power duo of Ash Morello and Ava Zadow.
They did so early in the quarter but Mildura centre Molly McDonald was accurate with her passing into the half-circle and her teammates took advantage.
The Demons had great defensive pressure from Jess McNamara and Sharon Watson which left the Magpies scrambling and making unforced errors.
Mildura were seven goals up at the first break.
The second quarter saw Merbein regroup a little with Emily Gray in goal attack and Aimee Geyer in the shooter role popping up with numerous majors between them.
Vanessa Rodi was effective on the wing but Mildura clamped down in the centre and led by nine goals at the main change.
Mildura started the second half along the same vein as the first quarter – with goals.
Watson in defence had a fantastic intercept which resulted in a goal to Zadow, who manages to make playing netball look effortless.
McKee and Gray got a little revenge for the Magpies with some great rebounding which resulted in centre Teagan Pettigrew getting the ball to Geyer in attack who capitalised.
It was an even quarter with Mildura still nine goals in front at the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was similar to the third – Zadow making netball look easy, Morello being athletic and accurate in the goal ring, and Emily Gray supporting Geyer in the goals for Merbein.
There was a 10-goal difference at the final siren but Magpies coach Johannah Gray said she was reasonably happy with the outcome.
“We had really good patches of play considering we’ve had a few injuries and sickness in the squad,” she said.
“We tried to adapt to their feeding into the ring, their match ups and not allowing them to get too much of the ball.
“They’re a really tall team and when their shooters are on they’re on.
“Next week will be another good game, we haven’t played them (South Mildura) since round two so it’ll be completely different.”
