NETBALL REVIEW

We’ve had three weekends of netball action thus far in the Outer East and they’ve left some sides content with the season so far and has left others needing to improve quickly. Round Three bought us a a few questions, like who can challenge Olinda Ferny Creek in the Premier Division? and are Yea too good?. All this and more in the Netball Review below.

Beaconsfield may be the answer to that first question. The Eagles are 3-0 in 2019 and have been pretty impressive with each win. They won by seven goals over Wandin with a strong first half showing leaving them 22-12 leaders at the main change. Danielle Roberts shot 28 goals and combined well with Tanya Mijovic who finished with 14 herself, whilst Cassidy Iedema top scored for Wandin with 20. The strong performances of defensive pairing Teneille Morrell and Katherine Grigoriou will also be particularly pleasing for Beacy, as a strong defensive game will be absolutely neccessary if the Eagles are to beat Olinda Ferny Creek when they meet in round six. Both sides should be undefeated by then with Beaconsfield facing Berwick and Upwey Tecoma prior to this match-up and with the goal scoring duo of Ashlee Howard and Peri Stewart Olinda Ferny Creek are likely to win any style of shootout and must be stopped.

Stewart shot 82 goals in Olinda’s big win in the battle of the bloods, whilst Narre Warren scored a 28 goal victory over Upwey Tecoma (Chloe Phillips 54 goals) and Cranbourne defeated Woori Yallock by 20 goals, 47-27 in wet and windy conditions at Woori.

Narre Warren got a strong win over Upwey Tecoma this weekend. Photo – BH Photography

In Division One Belgrave and Warburton Millgrove played out an absolute cracker on a wet and slippery surface, with the Burras winning by just one goal (amazing symmetry with the football). Warburton lead at each change but never by more than two goals with playing coach Bianca Daniels continuing her great form shooting 27 goals to take her season tally to 82. For Belgrave Ellen Anthony shot 36 goals in a best on court performance for the Magpies. They would’ve been disapointed with the usually prominent Naomi Hargraves who finished with just seven goals. Shannesy Hilder won the battle of the centres against the Burras 2018 Best and Fairest winner Selina Fotia, but Fotia was well supported by Chelsea Barnard and Ashlee Guerra in the wings. Warburton will also be happy with Courtney Lever’s really good form in defence and will need her to be at her best in their clash with ROC this weekend.

Elsewhere Doveton knocked off Pakenham (Pupuke 25), Emerald fell 25 goals short of Mount Evelyn (Karaula 25) and ROC continued Monbulk’s woes winning by 17,  despite 24 goals to Steph Puopolo.

Pakenham went down to Doveton by eight goals. Photo BH Photography

In Divsion Two, Yarra Junction have been shown the premiership standard with the Eagles on the end of a 35 goal defeat at the hands of the impressive Yea netball machine. The Tigers led 43-15 at half time before the game evened out with Melissa Martinov (44) and Nikki Watts (29) once again showing the strong connection they have. Stacey Davis (YJ) and Amy Taylor (Yea) battled it out all day in the mid court, with Catherine Vermeltfoort also impressing for the Eagles through the middle. Amanda Finn netted 25 goals as well for the Eagles continuing her good start to 2019, however Rachel Hickey’s performance in Goal Defence meant Yarra Junction were never really able to get some geninue goal scoring momentum going. Junction have the bye before facing another strong test in Seville, where they’ll be hoping to close the gap.

Seville themselves are coming off a Pride Cup victory over Yarra Glen by 41 goals (68-27) with Stephanie McNay finishing best on court and Rhiannon Crompton shooting 47 goals, while Alexandra sit atop the table after a 30 goal win over Gembrook-Cockatoo with Louise Chapple ending up with 27 goals.

Alexandra sit top of the table after a strong win over Gembrook-Cockatoo Photo- BH Photography