WHAT looked like a one-horse race for the MFNL A Grade netball title has taken an interesting twist with one regular season round remaining.
Undefeated Bambill have been the class of the league all year and are a massive 22 points clear at the top of the table, but a dangerous challenger is emerging from the chasing pack and appears to a have a legitimate title shot.
Defending champions Nangiloc, after getting off to a woeful 0-5 start to the season, are rolling and a massive 77-44 win over fellow final contenders Cardross, who were second on the table before the weekend, finally levelled their ledger at 7-7.
Those other two Demons’ losses this season came at the hands of Bambill, but the most recent – in round 12 – was a five-goal thriller at the Mildura Senior College courts.
There was no such excitement at Cardy on Saturday as the visitors held a 22-10 lead at quarter-time and just kept piling on the agony with subsequent terms of 16, 18 and 14 goals in a shooting festival.
Not surprisingly, centre/forward Tamara Loveridge, prolific shooter Amber King and win/goal attack Chloe Nelson were among the Dees’ best, but the defence, led by coach Ginine Sluiter and Sienna Charles, provided the springboard for the countless attacks.
The Lions had few winners on a miserable day. Under siege defenders Lily Thompson and Gypsy Gange did their best to stem the tide and shooter Amy Johnson battled up forward.
Werrimull took advantage of Cardross’s travails to move into second and the double chance spot with a comfortable 16-goal win over strugglers Gol Gol at Lake Cullulleraine.
The game was over at halftime with the Magpies holding a 13-goal lead and they cruised to the line from there.
Stellar centre Erin Sell continued her fine season with another best-on-court performance and goal attack Chelsea Newey and keeper Cassie Morris also had fun days out.
Keeper Emily Phillips, forward Ally Stanborough and centre Maka Clarke toiled for the one-win Hawks, who will be looking forward to a rest and then rebuild after this week’s final round.
Ladder leaders Bambill were similarly untroubled against Meringur – winning 48-35 at the college courts.
The Saints led by only two goals at the first break but took charge in the next two quarters before being held to a final stanza stalemate in a comfortable if unspectacular victory.
Bambill centre Kaylie Monaghan had another outstanding game, Erin Hird was again solid in defence and shooter Ashlee Kelly was a reliable target for the minor premiers.
Centre Tegan Pettigrew again led the way for the Kangaroos and keeper Madelyn McPhee and attacker Bella Connell fought the game out but, like Gol Gol, they will have plenty of time to prepare for season 2026 after Saturday.
