NETBALL
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
SOME things are all the same, while somethings are beginning to shift across local netball.
In the Gippsland League, the same names continue to rise above in 2025: Moe, Morwell and Warragul.
The Lions and the Gulls sit one and two atop the A Grade ladder, which they’ve done for the majority of the last 12 months.
Both did battle against the two bottom outfits of the competition in Round 12.
Moe went by Maffra with little to no concern, 84 to 31 at Maffra Recreation Reserve.
The duel reigning premier opened up with a 43-15 lead by halftime, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Olivia Barnett continued an exceptional season in defence, while Charlize Bird did her usual antics in midcourt.
Ashlea Mawer poured in 61 goals, alongside Elise Demczuk stepping up from B Grade with 20.
Moe entered a rotated side for their trek to Maffra, with six call-ups from lower grades on the day.
Barnett, Bird, and Ramayer Keilty were the only premiership players to play, along with marquee signing Mawer.
Warragul defeated fellow east Gippsland side, Sale, in a convincing 85-32 scoreline at Western Park.
On Sunday, a Latrobe Valley showdown took place between Morwell and Traralgon, with the Tigers getting the chocolates 59-41 at Morwell Recreation Reserve.
The developing Maroons put up an admirable fight in the first half, trailing by three goals at the main break, but the well-equipped Tigers broke through with a 30-17 closing half.
Anna Solomon was best-on-court for Morwell, alongside fellow defender Tanya Budge, while Holly Stephens produced a 37-goal performance. Claire Marks also chipped in with 22.
Emma White did a bulk of the scoring for Traralgon with 27 goals, while Emily Scholtes, Indiana de Dios and Kasey Guttridge all stood tall.
Traralgon will lose Scholtes for the rest of the season, as she has flown to the states on a college basketball scholarship.
Other results across the competition saw Bairnsdale make a statement against Leongatha, 52-48 at Leongatha Recreation Reserve, and Drouin defeated Wonthaggi, 58-44, at Ted Summerton Reserve, keeping the Hawks in fourth position on the ladder.
YINNAR avoided a scare in Mid Gippsland, defeating Tarwin by three goals, 49-46 at Tarwin Lower Recreation Reserve.
A tied game heading into the fourth quarter, saw the Magpies eventually pull away from the Sharks with a 14-goal final term.
Patty McInnes added 34 goals for Yinnar, alongside Claire Thorburn with 13, keeping the Magpies in the hunt for the minor premiership, battling against Foster.
Mirboo North kept themselves within the top six with an impressive performance over Newborough, 65-52 at Mirboo North Recreation Reserve, while Morwell East stunted their finals chance by enduring a smashing at the hands of Foster, 61-22 at Ronald Reserve.
Boolarra, Hill End and Thorpdale didn’t see much luck, with the Demons succumbing to Fish Creek 75-33 at Boolarra Recreation Reserve, the Rovers made to pay against Toora, 56-24 at Willow Grove Recreation Reserve, and the Blues struggling mightily against Stony Creek, 62-14 at Stony Creek Recreation Area.
MDU had the bye.
ROUND 12 of North Gippsland netball showcased those who truly deserve to be in the big games come season’s end.
Churchill had a statement win over Heyfield, 43-29 at Gaskin Park, worsening the chances of the side that ended their season in the preliminary final last year, as the Kangaroos moved two games back of fifth spot.
The Cougars on the other hand are outright top of the ladder after the result with a win-loss record of 8-2.
Gormandale had the biggest surprise of the season, laying waste to powerhouse Sale City, 55-35 at Stephenson Park.
The Tigers held just a goal lead at halftime, and then swung to a 10-goal margin thanks to a 16-7 third quarter.
Maddy Dark top-scored with 41 goals for Gormandale.
The Tigers sit in a comfortable spot having won seven of their last eight games, tied with the Bulldogs, Woodside and TTU for equal second.
The Bombers elevated some pressure, with a much needed win over the Wildcats, 45-37 at Tyers Recreation Reserve.
Woodside led early, but the match was all tied up after three quarters, before the Bombers blitzed their opponent when it mattered most.
Maleah Travers poured in 35 goals for TTU.
YYN and Cowwarr had the bye.
