NETBALL
STATE LEAGUE
THE Eastern Region State League netball grand final replay showed the gulf between Alberton and the rest last Friday.
The reigning premier’s round four clash against a depleted Mid Gippsland Green proved little more than a training run, as Alberton walked away with a 32-goal victory.
Mid Gippsland was reduced to six players in the second half after state representative Ramayer Gourley was forced to sit and watch due to an ongoing back injury.
Jamey Thomas was on fire in attack for Alberton, rarely missing a shot, and the lack of height in the Mid Gippsland defence line made for a one-sided contest which ended in a 69-37 scoreline.
The grudge match between North Gippsland and Morwell Indoor, which is comprised primarily of Gormandale A grade players from the North Gippsland League, saw the newcomer come away with a 52-30 win.
Coming off the bye Morwell came to play, scoring almost as many goals in the first half as its opposition did for the entire match.
The season is now over for North with a bye next round and all open division teams scheduled for a bye in the round before finals.
The feature 17 and under match between Gippsland and North Gippsland was psychological warfare as both sides looked to gain the ascendancy ahead of finals.
Gippsland coach Krissy Travers played her cards beautifully, showing plenty of thought with her rotations.
Shelby Wulffers was intimidating in her role as a defensive centre player for Gippsland while North Gippsland chose to leave tall defender Rachael McKenzie on the bench for most of the match, despite Gippsland’s goalers, in particular Jayde Travers, running rampant.
The final score was a difference of six goals in Gippsland’s favour, 42-36.
Alberton remains the only undefeated 17 and under team after easily accounting for East Gippsland 43-18.
Sale notched up its first win of the season against the winless Mid Gippsland.
Sale coach Staci Scott challenged her players to step up and make the most of the opportunity, and her young players responded in style with a 45-25 scoreline.
Tomorrow’s open division matches feature Morwell Indoor against Alberton and the Mid Gippsland derby between green and white.
In the 17 and under division North Gippsland will look to keep Mid Gippsland winless, Gippsland takes on East Gippsland and Alberton faces Sale.
Games begin at 7.15pm at Latrobe Leisure Churchill every Friday.
