NETBALL

By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC

 

Gippsland League

MOE humbled Bairnsdale in Round 5 of Gippsland League netball, winning 77 to 29 at home.

The Lions, on a fast and flying start to their premiership defence, again showed the competition that they are the real deal.

Moe midcourter Charlize Bird returned from injury, quickly getting back into the swing of things and securing a spot in the best. Alex Moody was exceptional, as was coach Ramayer Gourley in a dominant shooting display.

Ruby Dunkley, Anna Mooney and Sally Deller were notable in defeat for the Redlegs.

Wonthaggi escaped a scare as Traralgon narrowly went down to the Power 45-38.

While it wasn’t another fairy-tale ending for the Maroons, Traralgon has many positive signs for the future.

The match was almost neck-and-neck, but Wonthaggi capitalised on every opportunity to win away from home.

Power shooter Cassidy Bowman was too strong under the post, while midcourters Alana McRae and Ellie Bates were impressive.

Despite the loss, Traralgon’s young guns are showing some real fight. The exciting midcourt combination of Milly Murphy, Ashlyn Pavey and Montanna Styles worked brilliantly, earning each of them a mention in the best.

In her A Grade debut season, Grace Van Tilburg has been a force to be reckoned with, shooting very effectively. Van Tilburg will be one to watch in the upcoming years.

Maffra had no luck on Saturday, falling to Morwell 83-19.

The Tigers wanted to prove they’re still in finals contention, and after a win of this magnitude, showed they may well be.

Morwell travelled to Maffra and quickly got out to a 23-goal lead by the first break.

First-year Morwell shooter, Tiffany Boatman put in the work, facilitating plays from goal attack, shooting 37 goals. Coach Courtney Garth led by example in defence, limiting the Eagles to an average of just under five goals a quarter.

Tiger Seish Boyd-Thomas was also good in the win.

The Eagles’ scores were hard to come by, but they persevered and celebrated all the small wins.

Krystal Craft, Chloe Felsbourg and Jana Hennig performed well.

Drouin was just too strong for Sale, and defeated the Magpies 64-21.

Sale was forced to drive down the Princes Highway to face a full-strength Hawks side with little chance of beating them.

The Magpies’ start was slow, as they went down by nine goals in the first term. Hawks Kym Diston, Karina Proctor and Ruby Pritchett were on their A-game, making it hard for the Magpies.

Sale’s Kate Van der Voort once again made the most of the Magpies scoring opportunities, scoring 16 of their total, but it just wasn’t Sale’s day. Kristy Glover and Hannah Abdalla were also impressive despite the loss.

Warragul got the job done on the road, beating Leongatha 60-52.

The Parrots started well, lingering within one goal by the first break, but Warragul managed to hold them at bay.

The Guls welcomed back former Suncorp Super Netball shooter Emma Ryde, who put on a dominant show under the post, shooting 55 of the 60 goals. Warragul’s Becky Dixon and Sienna Green were also good.

The Parrots really pushed a strong Warragul side, and would be happy with their performance.

Leongatha’s Jayde Hall, Nicola Marriott and former Mirboo North star Mikaeli Hilliar were named in the best for their team.

 

Mid Gippsland

MORWELL EAST are undefeated after four rounds of Mid Gippsland netball.

The Hawks travelled to Newborough at the weekend to take on the Bulldogs.

Despite being a close, well-matched affair, the Hawks escaped the ‘Borough with a 41-33 win.

The Hawks have won four on the trot to start 2024, but they might find themselves under the pump when they face a Fish Creek side that got the better of Yinnar, next week.

Mirboo North just fell short against Toora, going down 43-41.

The Tigers might’ve gone home from Toora feeling accomplished they had pushed a former Grand Finalist all the way to the end.

Boolarra did not feel as accomplished when they lost to a high-flying MDU side, in The Battle of the Demons, losing 55-38.

Foster has worked hard to get off the bottom of the ladder.

The Tigers managed to beat Tarwin 56-44 in a convincingly display that should keep them above five other teams on the ladder for now.

Stony Creek got the better of a fresh faced Thorpdale, 37-19.

Yinnar and Fish Creek had the bye.

 

North Gippsland

SALE CITY is the team to beat this season in North Gippsland.

The Bulldogs continue to dominate, with Glengarry being their latest victim at the weekend in a 47-36 scoreline. The Bulldogs don’t mind playing away from home, and came away with a convincing 11-goal victory.

Woodside had no qualms welcoming Cowwarr, in what was an inevitable defeat for the Saints. The Wildcats maintained a solid performance to win 61-39.

Heyfield was another team that held their own even on the road, travelling to Yarram to hand the Demonettes an eye-watering 54-9 loss.

Rosedale held off Yallourn Yallourn North with a 33-24 victory, while Churchill got the best of Traralgon Tyers United, 46-36.

Gormandale had the bye.