ZOE ASKEW and ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
NETBALL
By ZOE ASKEW
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
NINTH-placed Warragul caused a sensation in Round 4 of Gippsland League netball, drawing with Morwell.
The Gulls put an end to their losing streak, tying the game 29-all against the reigning league champions.
What was expected to be a sure win for Morwell, turned into arguably the biggest upset of the 2023 season yet, and has cost the Tigers the number-one spot on the ladder.
If one thing is certain for the 2023 netball season, Morwell won’t underestimate Warragul again.
Selene Chadrawy, Renee Cook and Jaime Rollinson were best on for Warragul.
Tanya Budge, Courtney Garth in her 250th, and Anna Solomon were best on for Morwell.
In other games, Moe, led by best on court Emma Sculley, defeated Bairnsdale 64-36, while Drouin edged out Traralgon, beating the Maroons 48-44.
Elsewhere, Leongatha stamped their dominance on the league, and Maffra failed to put an end to their losing streak.
The battle between the Parrots and Magpies was disappointing across the cage for Sale, who went down in A Grade, B Grade and C Grade.
The more than hour-long journey home gave Sale plenty of time to unpack the club-wide defeat. Things don’t get easier for the Magpies, who take on Moe this Saturday.
Leongatha netted 18 goals in the first quarter, while it wasn’t until the second quarter that Sale managed to put a point on the scoreboard.
Maffra suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, falling 45-39 to visiting opponents Wonthaggi.
MID GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL-NETBALL LEAGUE
TARWIN dominated Foster in the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League, defeating their opponents by nearly 40 points, 68-30.
Toora also stole a big win at the weekend, defeating Hill End 55-23.
One of the rounds biggest victories came from Mirboo North, the Tigers defeating Stony Creek 66-25 in a 41-point margin.
Newborough went down to Fish Creek 51-36. Caitlin Prestidge and Gemma van Dyk played well for the Bulldogs.
Boolarra had an emphatic won over Meeniyan Dumbalk United, winning 61-19.
Morwell East and Yinnar had the bye.
NORTH GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL-NETBALL LEAGUE
WOODSIDE continues to prove they’re the team to beat in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League, with the Wildcats claiming their fourth consecutive win over Cowwarr at the weekend – 62-37.
Traralgon Tyers United upped their antie, defeating 2022 Grand Finalists, Rosedale 62 to 46.
Glengarry couldn’t stop a strong Churchill at the weekend, with the Magpies going down to the Cougars 51-44.
Yallourn Yallourn North received a 36-point flogging from Heyfield.
After going down to Gormandale 35-28, Yarram is at risk of ending up at the bottom of the ladder unless they can steal a win in Round 5.
Having finished the 2022 season at the bottom of the ladder, Gormandale would be more than happy for Yarram to take the spot.
GIPPSLAND League will play Round 5 of the 2023 home and away season this Saturday, with exciting match-ups ahead.
Traralgon’s A Grade will welcome Warragul to the Traralgon Showgrounds after the Gulls managed to draw against Morwell last week; Traralgon will have a tough job ahead of them.
Drouin travels to Wonthaggi. The Hawks are in better form, but Wonthaggi comes off an important win against Maffra so this game might prove competitive.
Morwell will have to move over to Maffra in what should be an easy win, but given last week’s results (a draw to Warragul), you can never be too sure.
The Parrots, in flying form, sit two points clear on top of the ladder, and should be able to get the win against Bairnsdale.
A strong Moe side should get over the line as they take on Sale over at Sale Oval.
MID Gippsland Football-Netball League will go into Round 3, with some thrillers on the cards.
Reigning premier Toora will take on contenders Morwell East in what will be a good taste of finals.
Boolarra, coming off a huge 42-point win against MDU, will likely want to flex their muscle again this week playing Foster on their home deck.
Stony Creek and Hill End will do battle in what should be a tight game.
Yinnar will want to draw blood from a defeated MDU side, while the Newborough Bulldogs will have a tough job against Grand Finalists Mirboo North. Both Fish Creek and Tarwin have the bye.
IN North Gippsland Football-Netball League, things are heating up in Round 5.
The two top teams in Woodside and Sale City will face off. With Woodside a game clear in first position, this match will mean a lot to the Wildcats. If Sale City manages to beat the reigning premiers, the Bulldogs will head to the top of the ladder based on their impressive percentage.
Either way, this will be the game to keep an eye on.
Glengarry, coming off a tight loss to Churchill, will want to get back on the winner’s list, facing 10th on the ladder Yallourn Yallourn North, while Yarram and Cowwarr will go head-to-head.
Churchill, Rosedale and Gormandale will have the week off.
