NETBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

North Gippsland

ROUND 17 of North Gippsland netball concluded with little surprise on offer.

Sale City push their lead for first position out to an untenable margin having not lost a game all year and may be on track for an unblemished season all together the way things have shaped.

The Bulldogs defeated bottom-placed Yarram 86 to 12 as the Demons continue a winless season in 2024.

Sale City face Gormandale in the final round while Yarram will give themselves a chance against YYN away this weekend.

Churchill subdued the Jets after an early back-and-forth first half to come out on top 50-24.

The Cougars’ Stacey Yates celebrated her 250th A Grade match and her 350th club game to add further spice to the win.

Churchill sit second on the ladder ahead of Heyfield and Woodside by a game, preparing to face Cowwarr in the final round.

TTU defeated Gormandale 56-40 to bring about their ninth win of the season to secure a finals berth.

Glengarry get by Cowwarr 60-53 to split their season at a win-loss record of 7-7 with one draw ahead of their final matchup against Woodside to conclude the season.

The Wildcats defeated Rosedale 60-47 giving them a guaranteed top four finish in 2024.

The Blues missed their opportunity to play finals and conclude the season at 8-8 with a bye in the final round.

Heyfield had the bye.

 

Mid Gippsland

ONE round remains in Mid Gippsland netball, a competition full of parity at the top half, there’s still plenty to shake up ahead of the final round.

Round 17 began with Morwell East dominating a Newborough side that was looking to finish out their season on a positive note.

The Hawks defeated the Bulldogs 66-49 pushing the victors a game behind Yinnar in first-place and tied with Fish Creek for second.

An early lead by Morwell East was countered by Newborough before the first quarter ended 16-10.

The Hawks locked in for five of the first seven goals of the second quarter to jump to a seven-goal lead before the Bulldogs rallied slightly to keep the game under 10 goals by halftime.

Just when it looked like the game was ready to be decided, Newborough unloaded to go on a seven-goal to three run to bring the game within five goals.

Morwell East realised what was at stake and channelled a force that the Bulldogs weren’t ready to answer and finished the third term on a 16-7 run to lead 49-35 with one quarter to spare and would be enough to see out the win.

It was a dominant display from the two lead attackers for the Hawks in Danni Dunn (34 goals) and Sukie Hodgson (32) which was what was needed to deflect the efforts of Demi Caldow (34).

Stony Creek secured a gutsy away victory, 39-37 over Boolarra giving the Lions their fourth win for the season.

The Demons got off to a strong start leading 14-7 at quarter time but shrunk to just two goals by halftime.

Stony Creek evened the game up by three quarter time and after a 10-8 final term, the Lions were going home celebrating.

Brianna Weaver (17 goals) and Kaila Hutchinson (14) combined for 31 goals for Stony Creek that edged by Tessa Jewell’s 29 goals who attempted to will her team home.

Foster and Fish Creek ended 41-all at the weekend that moves the Kangaroos out of first position.

The Tigers had the edge early with a 12-10 lead after the first quarter that then swung upon a 14-11 second term to see Fish Creek ahead by a goal at halftime.

It was back-and-forth to begin the second half but thanks to a 6-4 finish to the third quarter, Fish Creek held a 33-31 lead.

The Kangaroos had a slight cushion with the first three goals of the final quarter to lead by five goals.

However, Foster weren’t out of it just yet. The Tigers rallied on a 10-5 run to conclude the game that included a three-goal burst with minutes, potentially seconds to spare to tie up the game and take home points all around.

Fish Creek had Lara Stefani and Jessica Adgar with 21 and 20 goals respectively that was matched by Brylee Angwin and Ella Rendell with 27 and 14 goals each for Foster.

Toora took down second-bottom Tarwin, 61-29.

A first half dismantling of 29-10 was enough to see the Magpies through to the end and give them a fighting chance of finals.

Hannah Weston had 37 goals to lead the charge for Toora.

Mirboo North, Thorpdale, Yinnar and MDU had the bye.

 

Gippsland League

THE Gippsland League had its last league-wide bye at the weekend.

This weekend, Morwell host Sale and Moe will host Warragul. Traralgon is on the road to Maffra.

Other games include Bairnsdale versus Leongatha and Drouin versus Wonthaggi.