ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
NETBALL
By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
DROUIN emerged as the Round 9 hero in Gippsland League, getting over Leongatha 52-47.
Even on Leongatha’s home deck, April Bethune, Chloe Papley and Ava Gual were instrumental in the win, while Leongatha’s Nicola Marriott, Taylah Brown and Kate Browne stood out.
The result makes the top-four spot race interesting as Warragul tries to get a look in from a mere two points away from Leongatha and Drouin.
Bairnsdale was no match for a Gulls side hot on the trot.
Bairnsdale trailed all day, managed only four shots in the first quarter to Warragul’s 13.
The story remained the same for the rest of the game, with the Gulls finishing with 51 goals to the Redlegs’ 31.
Renee Cook, Lily Sheehan and Sienna Green starred for Warragul, while Ruby Dunkley, Annora Virgo and Emily Hall were notable for Bairnsdale.
Wonthaggi almost got over league-leaders Morwell.
The Tigers had a dominant start, outscoring Wonthaggi by four in the first quarter and then seven in the second, giving them a nice 11-goal buffer.
But, the Power must’ve had a great halftime rev-up, as they came out firing in the third term, managing to get the ball back in their hands and outscore the Tigers 11 to 10 and then 13 to 10 in the last.
Wonthaggi’s Olivia Gilmour, Jess Blair and Mia Plenkovich almost got the job done for the home side, but Morwell’s Claire Marks, Tanya Budge and Saskia Eenjes did enough to keep the Power at bay.
The final scores were Morwell 44 to Wonthaggi 37.
Traralgon got a good taste of that winning feeling.
The Maroons drove over to Sale on a mission to come home winners, and they did so convincingly.
Traralgon, traditionally more competitive than they have been this year, have struggled to hit the scoreboard on the count of a new side with fresh faces, but that didn’t stop them from charging through Sale, putting their lively youngsters to good use.
Traralgon’s Sophie Lecchino, Bronwyn Tebb and Montanna Styles were huge in the win.
Magpie’s Dee Dee Lambert, Emma Allman and Isla McCarthy played great, even in defeat.
What a mismatch it was at Moe’s big freeze, as the Lions mauled Maffra 89 to 35.
A bloodbath from the get-go, the Eagles became the Lion’s unsuspecting prey.
Ramayer Gourley showed her all-star class as she shot a whopping 57 goals for the Lions.
The win sees the Lions only two points away from the top, but with a competition-best percentage of 148.03.
Macy Gardiner, Olivia Barnett and Hollie Bugeja were noted as Moe’s best, while Maffra’s Chloe Proud, Sarah Edey and Tayli Dimarco were recognised for their efforts.
BLOWOUTS and blow-ins for Mid Gippsland netball last Saturday.
There was some talk of North Gippsland players with the bye getting a game for some Mid Gippsland clubs.
No doubt it did occur, but it’s within the rules and a good way for players to keep match fit especially coming into the pointy end of the year.
Did these players help in the huge results from the round, maybe?
Mirboo North has quite literally dropped off.
Shooting 40 goals for a netball game isn’t bad typically, but not if your opponent is shooting double that. Boolarra managed a whopping 80 goals in 60 minutes of netball. A downright flogging is what you call it, but a shock to many given Mirboo North’s traditional stance as a Mid Gippsland netball powerhouse club. Mikaeli Hilliar played her 100th senior game in the loss.
Tarwin took care of Hill End in a 27-point victory.
The Rovers still exceed most people’s expectations and remain pretty competitive despite their lack of players.
Yinnar also had a breezy win, making light work out of Fish Creek, winning 55 to 33, with another playing-coach in Yinnar’s Skye McDonald reaching 100 senior games on the weekend.
In the other game, Toora is another team to have put on a clinic, outscoring MDU by 28 points.
Morwell East and Foster had played their Round 8 match at the start of the season, so they had the week off alongside Stony Creek and Newborough.
North Gippsland had the week of for the King’s Birthday.
ROUND 10 of the Gippsland League 2023 season brings some heat.
Drouin, making a late surge up the ladder, found another level in the previous week to get over the dominant Leongatha side.
The Hawks will now drive to Traralgon, where they can solidify their fourth-place position.
Warragul will test their strengths against the all-mighty Morwell side.
After finally finding their feet, the Gulls have been a force to be reckoned with. Not sure if the Gulls’ newfound momentum will be able to stop Tanya Budge and her well-oiled Morwell machine.
The Power and the Eagles go head-to-head at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve. Maffra will have to bring their very best to cut the lights, but with recent form, you’d have to back the Power side.
Bairnsdale will host a ferocious Lions side aiming to take care of the Redlegs swiftly. Moe has been putting teams away and will no doubt do the same here.
Leongatha, taking a dive from their high-flying start to the season, will want to get back on the winner’s list and can do that against the bottom table Sale side.
NORTH GIPPSLAND is back from the King’s Birthday bye for some action-packed weekend of netball in Round 10.
Excluding Yarram versus Heyfield, which should see the Kangaroos demolish the understaffed Demons, every other match could go either way.
The Wildcats, coming off two straight losses, will play a Glengarry side out to prove themselves. With one win separating these two teams on the ladder, it will be a close one.
Top-of-the-table Churchill will make the trip over to Sale City to keep top spot. Having not played at Sale at all in 2022, the Cougars will be in a very foreign environment, but have the potential to get the job done nonetheless. This match will be a tough fight regardless of the result.
Yallourn Yallourn North play Cowwarr in what could also be a close game. The Saints should still be able to get over the line.
As a firm believer that anything can happen, there’s a slight chance ninth-place Gormandale could get their third win of the season against the eighth placed TTU, it won’t be easy, and again another tough battle, but best believe this could go down to the wire.
Rosedale gets another week off with the bye.
MID GIPPSLAND will go to Round 9 of their season.
Mirboo North took a beating last week and will have to face another strong opponent in Yinnar. For the Tiger’s sake, hopefully, the loss is less than 40 goals.
MDU and Stony Creek battle it out, while Hill End has to take on the bulldozing Boolarra side.
Toora should make light work out of Foster, and Morwell East will show their class against Tarwin.
Both Fish Creek and Newborough have the bye.
Runaway: Boolarra A Grade defeated Mirboo North by 40 goals. Photograph supplied
