NETBALL

BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

BACK to (mostly) steady conditions across netball competitions at the weekend.

Much the same as what played out on the football field, results were almost exclusively one-sided, even despite the weekend’s showcase weather wise.

Picking up their first four points after a drawn opening contest, Morwell did what was needed against Sale in Round 2.

The Tigers managed in the end, 51 to 38 at Sale Oval, despite some fight from the Magpies.

Scores were even at the first break, before Morwell broke the game open with an eight-goal edge in the second quarter to create enough of a cushion to see out the victory.

Isabella Bettridge dominated at the post for the Tigers with a game-high 32 goals.

In her 300th A Grade match, Claire Marks produced a best-on-court performance, supporting Bettridge’s efforts with 19 goals herself.

Defensive staple Anna Solomon and midcourt star Chloe Radford rounded out Morwell’s top performers.

Tash Bedggood, Ashleigh Keefe, and Anabelle Taylor were named as Sale’s best players, while Eve Sabell and Kate Van der Voort split goalscoring for the Magpies with 19 apiece.

The Tigers previously drew against Wonthaggi in Round 1 and now ready for a home bout on Sunday against a building Bairnsdale.

MOE handled business against Maffra, winning 61-17.

Playing their first home match out of Gaskin Park, Churchill, while redevelopments continue at Ted Summerton Reserve, the venue didn’t matter for the Lions.

The team in maroon and blue could have started driving to Maffra, arrived at halftime, and still would have won comfortably against the Eagles.

A 32-7 opening started it off for Moe, which went even bigger due to an 11-goal buffer in the third quarter.

The Lions introduced four new faces in the resounding win, with Caitlin Demczuk, Holly Morris, and Danielle Davis arriving up from B Grade.

The final new addition was Elleanor Bird, filling in duties at shooter, and poured in 55 goals in her debut for Moe.

Bird has played professional netball in New Zealand’s premier competition, recently winning the ANZ Premiership Grand Final with Mainland Tactix over Northern Mystics.

She’s also played in the English Netball Super League for Leeds Rhinos in 2023.

Premiership players Macy Gardiner, Jordan Pyle, and playing coach Alex Moody were the best for Moe.

Jayde Parsons, Rachel Weatherley and Elly Weatherley performed well for Maffra.

INTO a 0-2 hole to begin the season, Traralgon came up against a tough opponent in Drouin.

Playing against a premiership hopeful, on their home deck at Drouin Recreation Reserve no less, the Maroons were made to work all day.

Star Hawks recruit Mwai Kumwenda Mbwana produced a 33-goal performance, supported by veteran Stacie Gardiner with 15.

Ebony Mumford and Lucy McKellar were also noted for their play.

The young Traralgon outfit again showed signs, and should be applauded for not getting predictably blown out of the water by a potential grand final side.

Emma White added 27 goals for the Maroons, while Montanna Styles, Kasey Guttrridge, and Hannah Smith (10) played best.

Other results included Bairnsdale defeating Leongatha, 46-29 at Bairnsdale City Oval, while Wonthaggi took down Warragul, 57-36 at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve.

 

MULTIPLE North Gippsland teams got their first wins on the board in Round 2.

Churchill opened their premiership defence with an impressive victory over Sale City, 53-37 at Stephenson Park.

With some new faces in the mix supporting their core 2025 flag outfit, the Cougars weren’t to be denied in the grand final rematch, outscoring the Bulldogs by 15 goals after quarter time.

Trafalgar recruit Cassandra Wass was damaging right out of the gate for Churchill, pouring in a match-high 34 goals, followed by Skye McDonald with 19.

Charlotte Ronchi and Madeleine Rodwell had 21 and 19 goals respectively for the Bulldogs.

There could be trouble for the Kangaroos this season, as Heyfield fell for the second consecutive game.

The Kangaroos succumbed to an equally under-fire Traralgon Tyers United, who picked up their first win of the season by 16 goals at Gordon Street Reserve.

After a close contest through three quarters, the Bombers ran over the top of the home side, 14-4 in the final quarter, as they eye back-to-back finals appearances after a strong offseason.

It was an all-in team performance from TTU, with five players managing a score, including Samantha Cullis in her first game for the Bombers, coming off a premiership with Churchill.

Chloe Jones (16 goals) and Coco Henry (seven) top-scored for Heyfield.

Gormandale broke away from Rosedale to add their second win of the season, 59-52 at Gormandale Recreation Reserve.

The Blues shot back into the match in the second quarter to finish behind by just four goals at halftime, but the Tigers increased their intensity to shoot past the visitors when it mattered most.

A new attacking duo for Gormandale could prove scary for the rest of the competition, as Maddy Dark (game-high 38 goals) and Grace Van Tilburg (21) caused a world of problems for Rosdale’s defensive unit.

The Blues’ Jordy Rogers swung into goal shooter duties and added 33 goals in her first game down that end of the court.

Additonally, Woodside went past Cowwarr easily, 60-26 at Cowwarr Rcreation Reserve.

Glengarry and Yallourn Yallourn North had the bye.

 

ROUND 2 of Mid Gippsland were equally separated in bunches.

Yinnar started their season off with a victory over Meeniyan Dumbalk United, 54-47 for the closest result of the round at Yinnar Recreation Reserve.

The Magpies were never under much pressure, although the Demons finished with a strong fourth quarter performance, but it wasn’t enough.

Patty McInnes had a dominated performance with a game-high 38 goals, followed by Claire Thorburn with 16.

That concluded the winning results from Latrobe Valley teams.

Two of which were playing at home, with Tarwin handling Newborough well, 65-41 at Northern Reserve, and Morwell East unable to get it done against Stony Creek, 46-37 at Ronald Reserve.

Hill End never got close to Toora, losing 40-30 at Toora Recreation Reserve, while Mirboo North had their first true test against Fish Creek.

The Kangaroos got it done over the Tigers by 10 goals, 48-38 at Terrill Park, due to a dominant second half.

Audrey McGannon poured in 32 goals for Fish Creek, while Belinda Snell featured once more for Mirboo North with just eight.

Boolarra succumbed brutally to Foster, 95-34 at Boolarra Recreation Reserve.