NETBALL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

PLAYERS were officially welcomed into a new season by being forced to head directly into the storm.

All netball leagues were impacted by severe weather conditions in Round 1, including rain, hail and gale force winds.

In the Gippsland League, results picked up where they left off in 2025 … for the most part.

Moe weren’t to be denied in their season opener against Leongatha, as the Lions rolled the Parrots 61 to 44 at Leongatha Recreation Reserve.

As expected for this early period of the year, it was a different looking side for the reigning back-to-back-to-back premier.

While Moe still featured the likes of player-coach Alex Moody, Jordan Pyle, Olivia Barnett, Maci Gardiner, and shooting star Ash Mawer from the previous grand final win, the load was spread across grades due to injuries and unavailability.

First-year senior netballer Lexi Micallef, Imogen Smith and returning Lions premiership player Emma McMillan took the court.

While it was a tighter tussle to begin proceedings, with Moe leading by five goals at the end of the first term, only for the typical scoring explosion to occur, the margin went north of 20 at the main break.

The Lions outscored the Parrots 22-5 in the second quarter.

That 15 minutes was all that was needed to see them through to the end of the game.

Barnett and Alex Moody starred, with Mawer pouring in 45 goals for Moe.

In her 200th A Grade match, Nicola Marriott featured as one of Leongatha’s best, alongside Lauren Redpath and Ashlyn Pavey.

NOTHING could separate Morwell and Wonthaggi.

After contrasting preseasons that led into the Round 1 matchup, whether the arrow was pointing up or down for either side, it definitely led to the unbreakable result, which in the end read 44-all at Morwell Recreation Reserve.

The Power held a minor lead after the first break by two goals, only for the Tigers to lift its scoring intensity, which encouraged such from both teams.

Halftime arrived drawn, 21-all.

Little separation could be seen as play returned, with Morwell leading by just a goal, before Wonthaggi almost came from behind to pinch it.

While both sides would have liked to gain all four points, neither was giving in.

Tigers captain Chloe Radford, Kelly Altmann and Claire Marks, as well as Isabella Bettridge with 30 goals, did their best for Morwell.

Wonthaggi was supported by the likes of Chelsea Bowman, Kathryn Scott and Charlie Berry with 35 goals.

A WORK in progress down at Traralgon.

The young squad succumbed to Bairnsdale by four goals, 32-28, under lights at Traralgon Showgrounds.

Showing great signs early, the Maroons then gave up a 12-5 run in the second quarter, as the Redlegs made things difficult.

Both sides then found it even tougher as play resumed, with the late night weather beginning to torment all on court, which led to only four goals either way in the third term.

While Traralgon managed to win the final quarter by a goal, they couldn’t overcome their blip to get close enough again.

Returning star and captain Stacey Jacobsen did her all for the Maroons through the midcourt, while Indiana de Dios and debutant Marley Wallace also played well.

Alison Dwyer, Anna Mooney (24 goals) and Sally Deller stood out for Bairnsdale.

Other results included the two derbies, with Maffra defeating Sale, 39-33, and Drouin blowing past previous grand finalist Warragul, 72-46 on Sunday afternoon.

 

IN North Gippsland, all games proved to be one-sided.

Gormandale bested Traralgon-Tyers United, 50-41 at Tyers Recreation Reserve, while Woodside toppled Heyfield, 45-23 at Woodside Recreation Reserve.

Yallourn Yallourn North kept close with Rosdale before eventually being dealt with a 33-26 loss at Rosedale Recreation Reserve.

Glengarry smoked Cowwarr 43-26 at Glengarry Recreation Reserve.

Churchill and Sale City had the bye.

 

MID Gippsland was played almost exclusively in South Gippsland to begin the season.

Newborough came close against reigning premier Meeniyan Dumbalk United, losing by three goals at Meeniyan Recreation Reserve.

The Bulldogs, looking to break into finals for the first time in some years, kept it tight with the Demons, who have won the last two A Grade premierships, with the result coming down to the final quarter of play.

The more experienced MDU produced the winning moments when it mattered however, proving they’ll once again be right up there this season.

Alahna Arnason added 35 goals for the Demons, while Tahni Hodgens had 29 for Newborough.

Tarwin proved too good for Morwell East, winning 53-31 at Tarwin Lower Recreation Reserve.

The new-look Hawks failed to get the ball rolling early on, primarily due to the heavy weather that inflicted the court (including hail), but the Sharks still persevered.

Imogen Law didn’t mind the wet, adding 36 goals for Tarwin, while Alice Mills had 25 for Morwell East.

Mirboo North introduced quite the name in their 30-goal win over Toora.

The Tigers welcomed former Australian Opals basketballer Belinda Snell into the line-up.

Going from the wooden courts of the WNBA and WNBL down to the asphalt of Mirboo North Recreation Reserve, she added 22 goals for her home club.

The one-two punch of Snell and Jessica Holland (with a game-high of 27 goals) could be dangerous if it continues into the season.

Hill End was no match for Stony Creek, falling by 15 goals at Stony Creek Racecourse and Recreation Area.

Forced to play from behind all game long, Livinia Mandemaker (24 goals) and Melissa Blackshaw (17) made it difficult for the Rovers to ever get in arms length.

Courtney McWhinney (15 goals) and Steph Paul (10) performed admirably for Hill End.

Foster also defeated Fish Creek, 44-31 at Foster Recreation Reserve.

Yinnar and Boolarra had the bye.