NETBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
By ERIKA ALLEN
Morwell 37 drew with Traralgon 37
MORWELL and Traralgon mirrored the men’s senior football match, finishing in a thrilling draw with both sides scoring 37 goals in Round 9 of Gippsland League netball.
An even first quarter at Morwell Recreation Reserve had the sides tied at eight goals apiece, as Isabella Bettridge got to work for the Tigers and Sophie Lecchino racked up her tally for the Maroons.
The second quarter saw Morwell playing-coach Courtney Garth step it up, leading her team to a 14 to eight goal term. But the Maroons flipped the switch in the third quarter as Grace Van Tilburg got to work under the post.
The Tigers dominant second quarter tally still held them in the lead going into the fourth, but only by the skin of their teeth.
As the siren initiated the term, Morwell was leading by one point.
The Traralgon trio of Ashlyn Pavey, Stacey Jacobson and Van Tilburg were stronger however, helping the Maroons to win the quarter 10 goals to nine. Although they won the quarter, the visiting side hadn’t done quite enough to get over the line.
Garth was among the Tigers best. She was joined by Anna Solomon and Rachel Tatterson. Pavey, Van Tilburg and Jacobsen were hard to separate among Traralgon’s best.
Moe 71 def Wonthaggi 35
AN expected result from the top team unfolded at Ted Summerton Reserve, as Moe dominated Wonthaggi 71-35.
A winning streak that stretches nine rounds is an impressive team effort in itself, but a key cog in the Lions machine is Ramayer Gourley, shooting extraordinaire. At the weekend, Gourley shot 46 goals and was assisted by fellow shooter, Georgia Moody, who tallied an impressive 25.
While neither were named on the Lions’ best, that going the way of Hollie Bugeja, Olivia Barnett and Charlize Bird, it’s clear every player on Moe’s A Grade list is of A Grade quality.
Drouin 62 def Leongatha 42
MOE’S closest rivals Drouin keep chipping away this season, banking their seventh win against Leongatha 62-42.
The leaders at every change of ends, the Hawks’ April Bethune, Ava Gaul and Stacie Gardiner (25 goals) were dominant across their home court.
Strong performances from Lara Gill, Kate Browne (18 goals) and Amber Walker for the Parrots just couldn’t clip the Hawks wings.
Maffra 44 def by Warragul 65
MAFFRA’S losing streak persisted, as they fell to Warragul with a final score of 65 to 44.
Chloe Proud played a solid captain’s game for the Eagles, tallying up more than half of their 44 goals.
Sienna Wynd, Jayde Parsons (on loan from Heyfield) and Matilda Pendergast were named among the Eagles best. Meanwhile, Renee Cook, Sienna Green and Jaime Rollinson put in strong performances for the visiting Guls.
Bairnsdale 47 def Sale 35
BAIRNSDALE was too strong for Sale, winning 47-35.
Despite Sale’s Kate Van der Voort shooting accuracy – on the day she scored 88 per cent of the Magpies scoring total – Bairnsdale were more consistent from one end to the other at home.
Sally Deller, a name on many best-on-court lists this season, was strong under the post. Her teamwork with Anna Mooney telling.
Rachel Ronaldson and Ashleigh Keefe joined Van der Voort as Sale’s best. Mooney and Deller were buoyed by another great performance from Brielle Malady for the Redlegs.
