ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
NETBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC and ZOE ASKEW
By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
POURING rain and freezing temperatures couldn’t stop the scorching netball action at the Traralgon Showgrounds last Saturday, as Traralgon and Warragul took the court in Round 5 of the Gippsland League season.
There was a lot in this one as the Gulls were searching for their first win after a draw against Morwell last week, and the youthful Traralgon hoped to add to their four points.
In the first quarter, the Maroons jumped the Gulls early; having scored off the first centre pass of the game, they applied pressure and forced a turnover in the Gull’s attacking end, which allowed Traralgon to get on top. Traralgon captain and goal keeper Bronwyn Tebb picked off a few loose passes into the Gull’s ring, while Montanna Styles in the centre role had her hands on everything, getting the Maroons three goals up early in the first.
Traralgon’s early pressure went unnoticed at the quarter time scoreboard as Warragul’s Sienna Green fed brilliantly into goal shooter Kate Emerson, and Warragul’s tight defence made goals hard to come by, scores were level at six-all.
In the second term, Traralgon came out firing again, with a huge intercept from Tebb to get the Maroons started; however, as the rain began to increase, midcourters found it hard to keep possession, with the ball slipping out of both teams’ hands.
Traralgon could not get through the brick wall of a defensive line-up that was Warragul – with playing-coach Renee Cook directing the play in the goal keeper and ex-GWS Academy star wing defence Selene Chadrawy having her hands over the ball.
The Gull’s defensive pressure forced an early held-ball call that shifted momentum of the quarter, and the Gulls then went goal-for-goal going into the halftime break with a one-point lead 14 to 13.
By the third quarter, Tebb pushed forward into goal shooter while under 17 player, Emily Scholtes came onto the court as her replacement.
Tebb shot accurately, making eight shots. She matched the Warragul defenders in height but entries into the ring remained contested.
Breaking free, Warragul could transition down the court in the third term with ease as the Traralgon mid-court couldn’t stop that drive to the ring when they were previously forcing the mid’s to feed long.
The Gulls ran away with some easy goals, and by the three quarter time, it was 21 to 25 in Warragul’s favour.
In the huddle, Traralgon’s playing-coach Kate French turned to the girls and asked them to dig deep.
“Four down, it’s going to be hard, but it’s not actually over,” she said.
“One quarter to change this outcome; I want intensity, intensity, intensity.”
And sure enough, intensity is what they brought in the last quarter.
The Maroons fired up from French’s speech, scored off the first centre and then forced an early turnover to go 23-25; the Traralgon bench went wild.
From there, it would take only one more turnover for the Traralgon side to get even, but the fairy tale just wasn’t meant to be, as the Gulls did well to hold their centre passes. Traralgon’s intensity won that last quarter, outscoring the Gulls by two, but the Warragul side’s defensive hustle throughout their match allowed them to hold on in the end, winning 31 to 29.
Both teams had to play a shorter, slower game in the wet, making for a tight defensive contest and very sore bodies.
You could tell how much it meant to the Gull’s side as the players, coaches, and supporters flocked to the court with tears and cheers in what was their first win of the season.
Warragul’s Cook, Emerson and Green were recognised as instrumental in the win, while best on for Traralgon was skipper Tebb, defender Ashlyn Pavey and centre Styles.
Coach French remained incredibly proud of her young A Grade side.
“We have to focus on the positives that came out of the game, they’re a quality side, and we kept them to 31 goals; we are a brand new side, there are only two former A Graders,” she said.
“To finish the game off strong and not drop our heads and give up is really important, and so we’ll be focusing on that next time we play them.”
When asked about the decision to swing Tebb to goals, French said:
“I recognised that they have four quality defenders, so they were playing really tough on us, so having Bron’s (Tebb) maturity, strength and height in the goaling end … I thought putting her in and bringing our junior in could’ve changed the momentum for the game.”
Despite the tough loss, the young Maroons side will take away many lessons from the match and prepare to face off against Moe this week.
By ZOE ASKEW
NETBALLERS across the region braved cold weather at the weekend as teams entered Round 5 of the Gippsland League.
Sale hosted Moe at the nest with persistent drizzle making for slippery conditions, a challenge for both sides, who draw strength from their speed on the court.
Moe was first to score. Barely 10 seconds from the opening centre pass, the Lions showcased a beautiful fluidly moving down court and feeding into the shooting ring.
Sale was fast to match the Lions, equalising the score with a goal from Magpies goal attack Dee Dee Lambert.
The Lions jumped out to an early lead with great feeds into the shooting ring from goal attack Abbey Gregorovich and accurate shooting from Ramayer Gourley, who looked effortless when winning the ball.
A determined Sale team fought hard, and with the Magpies centre, Emma Allman, a workhorse in the midcourt displaying high energy and outstanding agility paired with precision shooting and aggressive attack from Lambert, the home side evened the score.
The Lions regained the lead with a fantastic turnover by Emma Sculley, followed by a swift transition into their attacking third.
Another excellent turnover by Moe goalkeeper Olivia Barnett (playing against her old side) followed by a superb partnership with centre Charlize Bird sent the ball to goal attack Georgia Moody, and the Lions extended their advantage.
Sale goalkeeper Rachel Ronaldson made a tremendous turnover in the dying minutes, but it wasn’t enough to catch Moe, the Lions leading the Magpies 19 to 14 at the end of the first quarter.
Sale’s Sienna Wynd shot four from four while Lambert scored 10 from 11.
Moody scored 10 from 10, with Gourley scoring nine from 10.
Moe was first to score when teams returned to the court for the second quarter, a turnover by Moody in the opening minutes giving the Lions the upper hand early.
Sale displayed great on-court collaboration with Allman and wing attack Tori Dessent, while Moe wing defender Macy Gardiner exerted significant pressure.
Gourley was unstoppable in the second quarter, the Lions’ goal shooter showcasing outstanding vision, good positioning and highly accurate shooting.
Moe’s defence was tenacious, with Barnett winning several turnovers in the second quarter.
The Lions led the Magpies 37 to 23 at the break.
Moe ran away with the game in the third quarter. The Lions led the Magpies 49 to 32 as teams headed into the fourth and final quarter.
Moody won a turnover for Moe in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, with the Lions persistent in showcasing a beautiful fluidity up and down the court married with solid defence, winning considerable defensive turnovers.
Despite fantastic accuracy from Lambert, scoring six of Sale’s eight goals in the final quarter, it was no match against a dominant Moe side.
The Lions ended up winning 63 to 41.
Emma Allman, Dee Dee Lambert and Rachel Ronaldson were Sale’s best.
Charlize Bird, Ramayer Gourley and Georgia Moody were best on for Moe.
In other games, Drouin defeated Wonthaggi 46 to 42, Maffra was no match for Morwell, the Tigers defeated the Eagles 57 to 24, and Leongatha continued their hot form, defeating Bairnsdale 55 to 30.
By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
THERE was an upset in the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League, with Newborough defeating Mirboo North and ladder leaders Morwell East drawing with sixth-place side Toora.
Round 3 action was hotly contested across four quarters. The Tigers could not hold off the Bulldogs’ advances, with Newborough triumphing over Mirboo North 64 to 60.
While Morwell East and Toora both won their first two matches, on paper, the Hawks were the favourite heading in.
The scoreboard read 31-31 at the 60 minute mark, and with nothing separating the two, points were split evenly.
Yinnar defeated MDU 53 to 29, Stony Creek was too good for Hill End, taking out a 39 to 22 win, while Boolarra thumped Foster 77 to 27.
WOODSIDE continued to stamp their dominance in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League, proving too good for visiting side Sale City, winning the Round 5 clash 48 to 35.
It seems Glengarry got their mojo back last weekend – perhaps it was the pink socks the Magpies wore, with the club hosting PLAY4BCNA Pink Sports Day at the weekend – stealing a big win over Yallourn-Yallourn North, 66 to 24.
Eva Tatchell was best on court for Glengarry.
Yarram was unable to stop their losing streak, going down to visiting opponents Cowwarr 50 to 46.
Traralgon Tyers United was no match for hosts Heyfield, the Kangaroos defeating the Bombers 41 to 22.
Churchill, Rosedale and Gormandale had the bye.
