NETBALL
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
Gippsland League
ONLY three games remain for some clubs in the Gippsland League netball season, meaning these last few rounds amplify in weight as finals awaits.
In Traralgon, nothing could separate the Maroons and Sale as the game ended 32-all.
Sale, with no chance of a postseason berth, were seeking the little wins; and they almost went all the way for only their second win of the season.
Not many would have expected this result, even on Traralgon’s end, but the Magpies stuck firm to and proved it was going to be a long game at Terry Hunter Oval, despite the difference in ladder positioning as the first quarter concluded tied 11-apiece.
Sale used their opening confidence to jump out by three goals at halftime and held a one-goal lead in time for the final term.
The Maroons narrowly outscored their opposition to finish, but it meant that no one would be celebrating thoroughly upon the final whistle.
Kate Van der Voort finished with 27 goals for all but five of Sale’s 32, whereas Traralgon had even contribution from Sophie Lecchino and Grace Van Tilburg with 17 and 14 goals each.
The fourth-placed Maroons will lament this opportunity to ellivate some of the pressure as they now only sit a game clear of Bairnsdale in six and are tied with Wonthaggi for the final two spots in the top five.
It’s nearly a do-or-die game for them this weekend when they host Drouin, who have been flying all year long.
Moe bounced back from their first blemish, a draw against Bairnsdale, to defeat closest rival Drouin in a 54-42 contest.
The first verse second matchup for all intents and purposes was possibly the biggest match left on the cards for the rest of the home-and-away season (unless it comes down to a final win-or-go-home showdown for a finals position between certain clubs).
The Lions again proved they are simply too dominant.
Away from home, Moe soared to a five-goal lead after the first quarter, but the Hawks kept them at bay through to the end of the first half as they began to show signs of pushing the Lions off their pedestal.
However, Moe came out of the main break to push their lead out to 11 goals after a 13-7 third quarter that left the result all but decided.
Ramayer Gourley and Georgia Moody put on a show with 31 and 23 goals respectively to combat the work done by Charlize Traumanis (24) and Karina Proctor (18) of Drouin.
Moe moved two games ahead of Drouin on the ladder, while the Hawks are still a game clear of Warragul.
Leongatha put their foot down against Morwell to win 46-34 to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
After an even first quarter battle ending 12-all, the Parrots locked in to hold the Tigers to under 10 goals in each of the next three quarters.
Mikaeli Hilliar finished with 27 goals and Kate Browne with 19 for Leongatha at home.
The Parrots are now two games back of fifth spot with winnable games against Sale and Bairnsdale in the next two weeks to see if they are capable of more.
Morwell will likely hold fort at third-last for the remainder of the way home as they look to rebuild after many strong seasons near the top.
In other games, Wonthaggi weren’t messing around in their trip to Maffra, beating the Eagles 59-35.
Warragul disrupted in-form Bairnsdale, winning by 30 goals on the road.
Mid Gippsland
FOUR games were featured in Round 15 of Mid Gippsland netball, as the top six got into shape with many sides preparing for a deep finals run.
Yinnar blew away Newborough and their finals chances in 2024 to the tune of 22 goals in a home 61-39 win.
It was a strong fight from both sides to start off with, but the Magpies ballooned their lead out to eight goals following a 16-11 second quarter.
Yinnar equalled their scoring load in the third while Newborough began to run out of gas that ended with a fourth quarter suffocation, 18-8.
Yinnar’s Skye McDonald continued a superb season with 32 goals, accompanied by 29 from Claire Thorburn.
Demi Caldow and Caitlin Demczuk featured strongly for the Bulldogs with 20 and 19 goals each.
The Magpies now have the most wins in the league with 11 (sitting in third-place on the ladder due to playing an extra game than Fish Creek and Morwell East) and are mounting their case as the best side in it.
Newborough slumped to a win-loss record of 5-8, three games back of sixth position and finals.
In an all-important fifth verse sixth matchup, Foster nailed a significant blow to Mirboo North, defeating them 49-41.
In the all Tigers affair, Foster held off a Mirboo North thanks in part to a strong second and third term that positioned themselves north of 10 goals up that gave them the cushion they needed to hold on to the win.
Brylee Angwin scored 29 goals to lead Foster, alongside 20 from Ella Rendell, while Marley Wallace held firm with 24 goals of her own for the visiting Mirboo North.
Both sides are now sitting at 8-5 on the year, a game back of MDU for fourth position and three ahead of the ones looking in.
The Demons of MDU defeated Tarwin, 42-27 to bring about MDU’s ninth win for the season.
A 21-16 first half laid the foundation. Alahna Arnason finished with 31 goals to lead the way for MDU while the Sharks’ Kate McCracken had 16 goals.
Tarwin sit with one win for the year (defeating winless Thorpdale) and remain second-bottom.
Stony Creek defeated the Blues, 46-23.
The Lions gather their third win for the season thanks to 35 goals from Melissa Blackshaw.
Boolarra, Fish Creek, Morwell East and Toora had the bye.
North Gippsland
NORTH GIPPSLAND netball has well and truly hit the point in the season where the team’s that are capable of going all the way have begun to shrink.
At most, three games remain in the season for some clubs and as it stands there’s two or three sides that could be holding up the trophy at the pointy end of the year, barring a surprise outsider.
In Round 15, Traralgon Tyers United upset premiership contender, Churchill in a thrilling 30-28 contest.
The Bombers’ victory shakes the ladder up slightly, now moving the Cougars back two games from favourites Sale City, while TTU hold to the final spot in the top five ahead of their game against bottom-placed Yarram.
Sale City made light work of Glengarry, winning 52-22.
The Bulldogs claimed their 13th win from 13 games to remain clear top of the ladder, while the Magpies sit two games back of fifth position.
Woodside choked up their 10th win of the season in a 75-41 takedown of Cowwarr.
The away victory for the Wildcats ties them with Heyfield for third-place and only a game back of Churchill for second on the ladder as they make their charge for back-to-back premierships.
The Saints meanwhile, position themselves within the bottom-three of the competition with a win-loss record of 3-10 for the year.
Heyfield dismantled Yarram, 73-16 to give them a much-needed percentage booster to place themselves strongest for finals.
The Kangaroos now sit tied for third position while Yarram are holding up the ladder.
Rosedale defeated Yallourn Yallourn North, 47-33.
The Blues sit idly behind TTU, both with seven wins, in sixth spot just outside of a finals position, while YYN remain on three wins for the year in eighth.
Gormandale had the bye.
