NETBALL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

THE second half of the split round produced exciting results in the Gippsland League.

While the top two in the competition seems to be obvious, others can stake a case with handy performances moving forward.

Traralgon already secured a significant win over Wonthaggi the week prior, as did Warragul over Maffra.

MUCH expectation came in the Latrobe Valley showdown of Moe and Morwell, but the Lions are still the best, most dominant team going around.

At Morwell Recreation Reserve, Moe rode home comfortably in the end 70 to 48 over the Tigers.

Returning to form in 2025, Morwell entered as the clear third best team through the first six games played, with a win-loss record of 5-1 entering the weekend.

Despite a valiant first quarter from the Tigers, Moe still led 18-13 by the end of the term, and extended that to eight goals by halftime.

While the Tigers kept their hat in the ring as they returned to the court, the Lions had other plans and tallied their highest goal-scoring quarter of the day in a 22-10 third term which was then subsided with a further 18-16 final quarter.

Ashlea Mawere top-scored with 48 goals with added support from Georgia Moody (22).

Holly Stephens was grand in defeat for Morwell with 37 majors.

Morwell’s cause was not helped by an injury to league medal-winning defender Courtney Garth, while the absence of shooter Daisy Hill is also being felt.

While the Tigers have an easier matchup ahead of them against Sale away, Moe and Warragul play off in a Grand Final rematch this weekend at Ted Summerton Reserve. Both teams are undefeated up until this point.

In other matches across the Gippsland League, Bairnsdale snuck by the Magpies at Sale Oval by four goals.

After Sale brought the match to within a goal at the end of the third quarter, the Redlegs answered with a 14-11 final term to hold on.

Drouin also got a nice away win over Leongatha, 55-47.

The Hawks were helped by an 18-7 second quarter at Leongatha Recreation Reserve to keep them at arm’s length, with Charlize Traumanis dropping 47 goals.

 

Mid Gippsland

YINNAR responded after a tough loss to Foster with a 55-46 victory over Newborough at Northern Reserve in the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League.

The Magpies did have to work for it, after holding just a three-goal lead at halftime and then three quarter time.

A 16-10 fourth quarter was what got them through.

Patty McInnes stood up with a game-high 30 goals, followed by Claire Thorburn with 18.

Yinnar move to a win-loss record of 7-1, while Newborugh slips to 4-3 ahead of a tough matchup against Fish Creek after the King’s Birthday long weekend.

After their first win in over two years a few weeks ago, nothing could separate Hill End and Boolarra, drawing 44-all at Willow Grove Recreation Reserve.

With the Rovers leading early on, the Demons clawed back in the dying minutes to hold on to split the points.

Hill End’s Courtney McWhinney top-scored with 28 goals followed by Boolarra’s Lara Noblett (21).

Morwell East picked up their best win of the season away at Stony Creek.

The Hawks defeated the Lions 56-53 to keep the young side within touching distance of the top six, leading at every turn.

Alice Mills was invaluable with 44 goals for Morwell East.

Tarwin easily dispatched of Thorpdale, 70-37 at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve, while Foster defeated Fish Creek, 60-44 at Terrill Park, and Toora squeezed past reigning premier Meeniyan Dumbalk United 39-38 at Toora Recreation Reserve.

Mirboo North had the bye.

 

North Gippsland

GORMANDALE continued on their impressive run, defeating TTU 47-45 at Gormandale Recreation Reserve in North Gippsland netball action.

After losing their first two matches of the season, the Tigers have pounced with five straight wins.

Gormandale got the game when it mattered most, despite the Bombers sitting close by thanks to a strong third quarter.

Maddy Dark poured in 38 goals in the Tigers as they moved to fourth on the ladder.

After making the Grand Final last year, Heyfield got off to a slow start to the season, but have responded with three straight wins, the latest against Woodside, 42-32 at Gordon Street Reserve.

Rosedale held on to defeat YYN at George Bates Reserve, 41-40.

The Jets fought hard after trailing at every stage through the first three quarters to tie the game late in the piece.

A shot virtually on the siren saved the game for Rosedale, who went home happy.

Glengarry aas too good for Cowwarr at Cowwarr Recreation Reserve, winning 54-30.

Sale City and Churchill had the bye.