ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
NETBALL
By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
THERE is a new sheriff in town in Gippsland League netball.
Moe saw themselves surge to the top of the table after a win over Morwell in Round 12.
Spectators knew they were in for a treat watching the two big cats battle it out, and boy was it a treat.
Nothing could separate these teams at the first break, with both at 16-all. In the second term, the Lions were able to convert on turnovers and took a 33 to 29 lead.
Scoring slowed down in the third term, with Moe shooting nine to Morwell’s seven as a result of an increase in defensive pressure; but it was of no concern for the Lions, who continued to outplay the Tigers well into the fourth, shooting 15 to their 13.
Chloe Radford, Saskia Eenjes and Tanya Budge were classy even in defeat, but it was Moe’s Macy Gardiner, Georgia Moody and Alex Moody who were crucial in the season-defining win.
Maffra still has yet to register their first win of the season after failing down to Traralgon.
The Maroons got the jump on the Eagles from the first whistle. In the first term, the Maroons shot 13 to the Eagles’ six and in the second piled on another 13 shots to their eight.
The Eagles changed in the second half and outscored Traralgon in both the third and fourth, but the lead was too far gone to come back from.
The final score was Traralgon 49 to Maffra 41. Maroons’ Cassidy Smith, Bronwyn Tebb and Montanna Styles were recognised with best-on-court honours and so to were Eagles’ Chelsea Allman, Matilda Pendergast and Ashleigh Keefe.
It was lights out for Wonthaggi as Leongatha managed to shut the Power off with ease. The game was 12 goals all at quarter time but Wonthaggi must have used too much energy too quickly as they managed to score only two goals to the Parrots’ 14 in the second.
The third term saw the Parrots extend the lead to 18 while the Power clawed it back to 16 in the last.
The final scores were Leongatha 46 to Wonthaggi 30. Power’s best were Charlie Berry, Chelsea Bowman and Mia Plenkovich, while Leongatha’s best were Kate Browne, Lara Stefani and Taylah Brown.
The Sunday ticket saw Sale 10-point winners over Bairnsdale. It was a close contest until the Magpies found themselves after the major break and ran away with the win.
Sale’s Rachel Ronaldson, Dee Dee Lambert and Isla McCarthy were instrumental in the win, while Brielle Malady, Danielle Johnson and Anna Mooney stood out for the Redlegs.
Warragul had no trouble defeating Drouin in a huge 17-point win. Lily Sheehan, Renee Cook and Sienna Green starred for the Gulls, so did Ava Gaul, Karina Proctor and Ella Henderson for the Hawks.
IN North Gippsland, the divide between real premiership contenders and the rest of the competition became visible on the ladder.
The top team in Sale City is only one game clear, but nothing but percentage separates second, third and fourth in Woodside, Heyfield and Churchill.
Sale City have had an enormous 59-goal win over Gormandale.
The Tigers never stood a chance over the Bulldogs side with final scores 93 to 34.
It was a similar story for TTU, who went down to Woodside by 40 goals. The Wildcats dominated all play, shooting 61 goals to TTU’s 21. Woodside’s Georgie Banik received best-on-court honours.
Heyfield showed the competition that they are a force to be reckoned with after defeating finals hopefuls Glengarry.
It was a tight contest all day with both teams having so much to prove, but ultimately the Kangaroos had an extra bounce in their step that got them the win over the Pies.
The final scores were Heyfield 42 to Glengarry 39.
Churchill charged home with a 13-goal victory over another final contender in Rosedale.
The Blues have dropped off this season compared to their runners-up form of 2022.
The Cougars were able to expose the Blues in all aspects of the game from early on in the match and continuously built upon their lead to win 55 to 42.
Yarram got their second win on the board after defeating Yallourn Yallourn North 45 to 39 in a very close contest. Cowwarr had the bye.
IN Mid Gippsland, Yinnar are the real Magpies after showcasing their class and experience in a monumental two-point victory over reigning premiers in Toora.
The win sees Yinnar six points on top of the ladder with a league-high percentage of 166.57.
In other games, Morwell East defeated Fish Creek 53 to 40, and Tarwin got the chocolates over Newborough in a ten-goal win. Mirboo North get back on the winner list with a solid performance over Hill End, the final scores were 43 to 36.
Boolarra had no troubles at Stony Creek, defeating the Lions 53 to 34 while both MDU and Foster had a bye.
TRARALGON will have a tough challenge when they face Leongatha this Saturday.
The Parrots have been dominant this year and will have experience over Traralgon’s youthful side.
The Sale Magpies will host Wonthaggi, with hopes of continuing their winning form.
The Power will be competitive and won’t give in to the Magpie’s pressure making this match a very tight battle.
Moe gets little time to celebrate the Morwell win, facing another worthy opponent in Warragul. The Gulls have got the goods to go with Moe, but money will be on the Lions to take home the win given their form.
Morwell might still be licking their wounds after going down to Moe, but again no time to dwell on the past as they take on a Drouin team who, too have the potential to steal a win off the tenacious Tigers.
In a bottom-of-the-ladder clash, Maffra and Bairnsdale will battle it out on Saturday.
Maffra searching for that first win may have their last chance to get one when they play the Redlegs.
For competition’s sake, let’s hope the Eagle’s backs themselves in to get on the board, and hey belief is a very powerful force.
IN North Gippsland, two top-four teams Heyfield and Churchill will face off.
With only 1.04 per cent separating the Roos and the Cougars on the ladder, this game will be the one to watch.
The last time these two faced off the Cougars had the last laugh in a 10-goal victory but seasons are long and anything can happen this Saturday. The Roos side will try to play fast and the Cougars will need to work on keeping their composure.
Rosedale will have no issue getting through Yallourn North even when playing away.
The Blues have had a rocky season but it would take an absolute miracle for Yallourn Yallourn North to steal a win from them.
Woodside will take on Gormandale in a game that most would expect to run much like a Wildcats training session.
Cowwarr will be play Sale City, while the Saints have impressed at moments this year, they won’t stand a chance against a Bulldog side who have proven themselves as genuine premiership contenders.
Glengarry, TTU and Yarram all have the bye.
IN Round 13 of the Mid Gippsland season, Morwell East will take on Mirboo North in what always would amount to a close game, but given the Tiger’s recent form, the Hawks might blow this score out.
Toora and Fish Creek go head-to-head in a match that would make great viewing, Boolarra take on Newborough, Yinnar play Stony Creek and Foster will lock horns with MDU.
Tarwin and Hill End will have the bye.
