AFL OUTER EAST NETBALL REVIEW

There’s only been two weekends of netball action in the Outer East but that doesn’t mean the action hasn’t provided us with plenty of talking points across all three divisions, as Woori give Wandin a rare 0-2 start, Warburton Millgrove brush aside Doveton and Yea continue their recent form against Kinglake on Anzac Day.

After their tight loss to Berwick in round one, Wandin would’ve been eager to square their own personal ledger against Woori Yallock, who themselves were yet to play a competitive game of netball in A Grade this season (Lower grades have faced Berwick Springs). Wandin led 16-15 after a high scoring first quarter but were outclassed in the second and third intervals with the Tigers scoring 36 goals to 19 in that period. Madeline Hargrave netted 34 goals whilst Mia Sudomirski scored 30 and was best on court for the Tigers. Cassidy Iedema finished with 40 goals at the other end but was a lone threat in the goal circle.

It won’t get any easier for Wandin as they face Beaconsfield who handed Narre Warren their second loss on the bounce as well with the Eagles defence really coming to the party, keeping Narre Warren’s leading goal scorer Chloe Phillips to just 19 goals for the game. Beaconsfield led by just two goals at the half time break before blitzing the Magpies in the second half 33-17.

Beaconsfield have started the season well. Photo – Beaconsfield Netball Club Facebook

Warburton Millgrove are up and running in season 2019 after they won every quarter against Doveton in their battle at the Burras nest. Coach Bianca Daniels finished the day with 34 goals combining well with Kirralee Liuyf who had 21. But it was the defensive partnership of Natalia Petrucev and Courtney Lever that was really impressive ensuring that the Doves had limited opportunities. Tinika Tepene did well finishing with 29 goals for the Doves but they were never really in the contest.

Warburton Millgrove’s Kirralee Liuyf shot 21 goals on the weekend. Photo – Alex Woods

Elsewhere Belgrave had a comfortable win over an impressive Emerald, after the Bombers had a shock three goal lead at quarter time, but the Magpies were dominant after the first break with Naomi Hargreaves shooting 36 goals in the Pies 28 goal win. Despite being expected to slip this season the Magpies are enjoying a 2-0 start to 2019.

Kinglake and Yea reacquainted on Anzac Day in a rematch of the AFL YR Division Two Grand Final rematch. The Tigers opened up a seven goal lead at quarter time and despite having it whittled back to five at half time, they were able to hold off Kinglake by that initial seven goal margin. Melissa Martinov continued her high scoring start to the season with 31 goals, whilst Petra Keogh held Kinglake’s prized recruit Billie Cvitjetic to just 19 goals. This makes it three straight victories over the Lakers for Yea in the netball.

In other games Seville got back on track with a 28 point win over Powelltown with Jackie Cullimore shooting 33 goals as the Blues won every quarter against the Demons, whilst Yarra Junction won easily over Gembrook Cockatoo as Amanda Finn shot 42 goals.

Mel Martinov starred again in Yea’s win