ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
NETBALL
ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
WITH no Gippsland League netball at the weekend, many players would have opted to go away, have a break, or go for a spin in North or Mid Gippsland League teams to keep match fit and resume general play.
IT was all status quo for North Gippsland, as teams among the top four played teams at the other end of the ladder.
Churchill had a comfortable win against Yarram, who have struggled to perform in the competition this year. The Cougars defeated the Demons 58 to 30. Cougar’s captain Rachael Loechel played her 100th A Grade game for the club, and celebrated with a win and best-on-court performance.
Woodside still runs this competition, despite a few losses in a row. The Wildcat’s on-court dominance showed through as they easily stopped the Jets from take-off on their home runway.
Wildcat Jess Banik received honours for her role in the 53 to 29 goal win against Yallourn Yallourn North.
Sale City defeated TTU in a game of closer margins, the Bombers shooting 45 goals to the Bulldogs’ 58.
The Blues are back as Rosedale secured another win against Glengarry to have the two sides sitting equal on 28 points on the ladder.
The game was a close one and went down to the wire. It was a matter of only five goals or just two turnovers, but it was ultimately the experienced Blues side that won 48 to 43. Magpie Kayla Muller was recognised for her efforts in the loss.
Cowwarr ran over the top of Gormandale in a 52 to 36 goal win. Erin Campbell won the best-on-court award for the Saints.
Heyfield had the bye.
ROUND 11 of the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League saw some even matchups as the top four battled it out.
Boolarra just fell short of knocking the crown off reigning premier Toora. We all know the Magpies are used to extremely close finish (last-second goal to win them the Grand Final in 2022) but the Demons sure did give the Pies a run for their money.
Boolarra will definitely be walking away from the 48 to 50 defeat with their heads held high.
In what should have been a game to go down to the wire, Yinnar defeated Morwell East by 19 goals.
The Hawks have looked the team to beat all year, but guess old habits die hard and for Yinnar that habit is of winning.
The Mid Gippsland netball powerhouse showcasing why you should never write the original Magpies off.
Newborough nearly handed Foster their first win of the season, as it was neck-and-neck the whole game. But it just wasn’t meant to be for Foster as the Bulldogs shot a late goal to secure the win and force the Tigers to continue dreaming of that winning feeling.
Fish Creek made light work of Hill End with a 51 to 19 goal win, while both MDU and Mirboo North had the bye.
GIPPSLAND League is back this Saturday to play Round 12, but anything can happen after a bye.
The two top teams in Morwell and Moe will face off at Morwell Recreation Reserve.
Moe’s scoring power is second to none and the Tiger’s defence in Courtney Garth and Tanya Budge will have to work twice as hard to stop the shooting dominance of Ramayer Gourley.
There were only three goals separating these two teams last time they met where Morwell got the chocolates, but expect to see a Moe side with the intent of toppling the tenacious Tigers.
Leongatha will take on Wonthaggi, the Parrots should be able to get over the Power line easily.
Traralgon’s wins have been hard to come by this season, but the Maroons should get the job done against Maffra.
Bairnsdale and Sale will go head-to-head on Sunday, the Magpies have so far been the better team this season and would be tipped as most likely winners, while Warragul will play Drouin.
NORTH GIPPSLAND will head into Round 13 with some tight clashes on the cards.
Yallourn Yallourn North, in last, and Yarram in second last of the ladder, will battle it out to avoid the wooden spoon.
The two teams have managed just one win this season and will both want to secure a second winning feeling.
Glengarry will have a big challenge as they take on third-placed Heyfield, who have shown on-court exuberance and speed all year.
The Kangaroos, off the back of a bye will have all the energy to hop over any show of weakness from the Magpies.
The battle between Rosedale and Churchill will be the one to watch.
The Blues beat the Cougars early in the season before Churchill went on to win six games in a row. But seasons are long, and things change. With the Blues desperate to return to the top of the table where they think they belong, Churchill is hungry to prove themselves as flag contenders.
The last time these two met, the margins were miniscule, so expect to see that same contest repeated Saturday.
Woodside should be fine defeating with TTU.
The Wildcats managed to win easily, even despite the little court mishap that saw both teams relocated from TTU’s home ground to Traralgon’s Breed Street courts the last time these two played.
It would be a real David and Goliath moment if TTU did manage to topple the North Gippsland giants.
Sale City will have a nice opportunity to extend their already impressive lead to first place on their ladder.
The Bulldogs, one game clear on top, will face ninth-placed Gormandale. One can imagine the Bulldogs considering this a percentage booster game.
Cowwarr has the bye.
IT’S swooping season in Round 12 of the Mid Gippsland League.
The two Magpies teams in Toora and Yinnar will face off not only for the right to be called the Magpies but also for top spot on the ladder.
With only two ladder points separating these two teams, expect to see a fiery contest on the court.
Fish Creek and Morwell East will be a good game, as the Hawks will be keen to get back on the winners list.
Mirboo North might be thinking the exact same thing and should get a win over Hill End.
Newborough will play Tarwin which could be a very close game.
Boolarra should have zero trouble facing Stony Creek and will aim to get a nice winning margin for percentage.
MDU and Foster have the bye.
