NETBALL

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

ALL three local leagues were in action at the weekend on the netball court.

This coming round ticks into the last month of the home-and-away season, and with some byes still in place for clubs in the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League and North Gippsland FNL, the race for finals positions will surely come down to the wire.

 

Gippsland League

IN the Gippsland League’s inaugural Indigenous Round, Moe Football-Netball Club and Sale FNC both wore indigenous-themed netball dresses, designed by club members.

This was a grand display and great to see representation on all fronts, however results in Round 13 were entirely one-sided, which only gave more substance to the idea that 2025 would be ran by three teams atop the ladder.

As reigning back-to-back premier, Moe are of course at the highest on that list, and made light work of Leongatha, 79 to 35 at Ted Summerton Reserve.

Returning after the bye week with a full squad, the Lions went well past the Parrots, who are doing battle with a few other sides for the fifth and final spot in the finals bracket.

Moe only allowed one double digit quarter from Leongatha, but outscored them significantly every step of the way.

Olivia Barnett, Alex Moody and Ramayer Keilty were standouts for the Lions, alongside Ashlea Mawer’s 61 goals.

Lauren Redpath, Mikaeli Hilliar and Jayde Hall were strong for the Parrots.

Ending Wonthaggi’s hopes at extending their season, Morwell arrived to Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve and defeated the Power, 59-32.

The Tigers kept at arm’s length for a majority of the first half, but then ruined all chances of Wonthaggi keeping up with them with a 14-5 third quarter.

Holly Stephens poured in 45 goals for Morwell, followed by Claire Marks with 11.

Mackenzie Oracz, Ellie Bates and Cassidy Bowman were admirable in defeat for the Power.

Traralgon, in an effort to keep themselves a live chance for a finals berth for the second year in a row, kept their foot on the throttle against Maffra, winning 76-23 at Traralgon Showgrounds.

The Maroons set up their victory with a 20-3 first quarter and extended to a 29-goal lead by halftime.

Traralgon never allowed the Eagles to pass double digits in any quarter, adding a welcome percentage boost as they do battle against Leongatha and Bairnsdale for that illusive fifth position.

Indiana de Dios and Montanna Styles ran rampant all day, while Emma White (38 goals) and Grace Van Tilburg (27) were exceptional at the post.

Kirby Boyle, Ava Buckland, and Matilda Pendergast were best for Maffra.

Other results saw Warragul surpass Bairnsdale, 71-36 at Bairnsdale City Oval and Drouin took Sale, 66-24 at Sale Oval.

 

Mid Gippsland

MANY are beginning to set up their postseason ticket in the backend of Mid Gippsland’s home-and-away season with results that played out in Round 14.

Fish Creek shot the life out of Yinnar in a matchup of second versus third, with the Kangaroos victorious, 58-29 at Yinnar Recreation Reserve.

Only leading by four goals at the first break, Fish Creek extending their lead with a 15-7 second quarter.

The Magpies weren’t able to respond after halftime, only adding 13 goals through to the final siren, while the Kangaroos compiled a 30-goal second half.

Jessica Edgar finished with 39 goals for Fish Creek, while Yinnar was led by Patty McInnes with 16.

The loss pushes the Kangaroos above the Magpies by percentage, with whoever remains in third-place by the end of regular season action facing an elimination final and at risk of being out in the first week of finals.

The gap between the top three (which includes Foster on top, undefeated) is three games currently.

Newborough’s season is most likely over after succumbing to Meeniyan Dumbalk United, 62-45 at Meeniyan Recreation Reserve.

Trailing by just three goals after the first quarter, the Bulldogs sustained a 21-goal second term at the hands of the Demons to blow them out of the water.

Alahna Arnason led with 45 goals for MDU, while Demi Caldow had 32 for Newborough.

The Bulldogs now move three games back of sixth position with three games remaining.

Morwell East had a sizeable victory over Thorpdale, 70-12 at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve.

The Hawks got well beyond 50 goals before the Blues managed 10 in their own right.

Myah Healey had 41 goals for Morwell East.

Other results included Stony Creek defeating Boolarra, 30-26 at Stony Creek Recreation Area, and Toora edging past Tarwin, 30-29 at Tarwin Lower Recreation Reserve.

Hill End, Foster, and Mirboo North had the bye.

 

North Gippsland

ONLY three matches went ahead in North Gippsland, but that didn’t stop those hungry for what’s to come rising in determination during Round 14.

Traralgon Tyers United continue to chug along, holding onto fifth spot on the ladder, after a 46-43 victory over Rosedale at Rosedale Recreation Reserve.

Play was all tied up after the first half, but the Bombers shot ahead with a 15-6 third quarter, giving them the necessary space to squeeze by.

Maleah Travers and Rachel Shaw showed added exuberance at the post with 29 and 16 goals respectively for TTU in their fifth straight win.

The Bombers keep themselves above a building Heyfield, who defeated Yallourn Yallourn North at the weekend, 45-36 at George Bates Reserve.

After defeating Sale City the week prior, the Kangaroos have sudden life in their season, and took care of the Jets comfortably.

A 17-7 start was all that was needed to keep Heyfield above, despite YYN battling right to the very end.

Phoebe Richardson led the Kangaroos with 31 goals, while young Zekiya Glibanovic contributed 23 for the Jets in just her second career A Grade appearance.

Sale City got back to their winning ways with a 66-24 demolition of Cowwarr at Stephenson Park.

Snapping a two-game losing streak, the Bulldogs jumped back above Gormandale into third spot due to percentage.

Madeleine Rodwell and Charlotte Ronchi led Sale City’s scoring charge with 41 and 25 goals respectively.

With just four rounds remaining and just six teams in the finals picture, it means some marquee performances are going need to occur to lift one above the other as pressure mounts on some teams.

Woodside, Churchill, Glengarry and Gormandale all had the bye.