NETBALL
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
ROUND 11 across local leagues held great significance in netball, not just for the results themselves on the court, but what it could produce off it also.
Gippsland League held its annual Orange Round at the weekend, an initiative that gained traction for sports leagues across the country as a means of tackling the issue of family and gender-based violence.
THE Valley showdown between Moe and Traralgon didn’t necessarily live up to the occasion, with each side on different ends of their journeys. The Lions winning 79 to 53 at Traralgon Showgrounds.
The more experienced Lions jumped out of the gate 42 to 21 after the first half, and despite a much more even contest in the latter stages of the match, Moe were clear victors.
Ashlea Mawer produced 51 goals, while Elsie Demczuk was called up from the lower grades and added 17, alongside Georgia Moody’s 11.
Playing coach Alex Moody was best-on-court, followed by Mawer and Ramayer Keilty.
Grace Van Tilburg (24 goals), Montanna Styles and Sophie Lecchino all stood strong for Traralgon.
It would have been an earth shattering result if it went the way for Morwell, but the Tigers were undone by Warragul, 65-54 at Morwell Recreation Reserve.
Morwell were let down by slow start, facing a seven-goal hole at halftime, and while they needed to regroup with a solid third quarter, the Gulls only gained further advantage.
The Tigers did finish off with a solid fourth quarter, but the damage had already been done.
Emma Ryde poured in a monster 61 goals, while Sienna Green, Ella Rees and Jade Finn all played well for the winners.
Holly Stephens added 39 goals for Morwell, alongside strong performances from Jayde Parsons, Hayley Stringer and Chloe Radford.
Others results saw Wonthaggi defeat Maffra, 63-41 at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve, Leongatha easily shook Sale, 80-26 at Sale Oval, and Drouin got by Bairnsdale, 51-43 at Bairnsdale City Oval.
YINNAR continue their stretch towards Mid Gippsland finals with a 67-36 demolition of Boolarra at Yinnar Recreation Reserve.
The Magpies moved by thanks to a dominant final three quarters, with Patty McInnes contributing 62 goals in the win.
Newborough succumbed in a close 55-51 loss to Stony Creek at Northern Reserve.
The Bulldogs faced an uphill battle, being down at each turn, but held close enough to still be in with a chance.
Livinia Mandemaker’s 43 goals overcame Demi Caldow’s 34.
Combined with Morwell East’s loss to MDU, 73-48 at Meeniyan Recreation Reserve, both Latrobe Valley clubs move a game back of the top six with seven rounds remaining.
Foster also beat Mirboo North, 59-56 at Foster Showgrounds, Fish Creek passed Hill End easily, 67-27 at Terrill Park, and Toora defeated Thorpdale, 58-20, at Toora Recreation Reserve.
Tarwin had the bye.
A THREE-WAY race is at play in North Gippsland, with Churchill, Sale City and Woodside all delivering.
The Cougars passed Gormandale, 55-40 at Gaskin Park, while the Bulldogs made light work of YYN, 54-28 at Stephenson Park.
Due to Heyfield having the week off, both the Tigers and TTU, who defeated Glengarry, 58-52 at Glengarry Recreation Reserve, hold onto their positions within the top five for now.
Rosedale also surpassed Cowwarr, 56-25 at Rosedale Recreation Reserve.
Woodside and Heyfield had the bye.
