NETBALL REVIEW

By Matt Fotia

Just Olinda Ferny Creek remain undefeated after Yarra Glen upset Yea, Beaconsfield fought off an impressive Wandin and Puopolo and Co struck again for Monbulk as they jumped to third in Division One. All this and more in the Netball Review.

Wandin came into their clash with Beaconsfield well aware of their situation. The Dogs needed to upset one of or both Eagles outfits across a tough fortnight if they were to play finals in 2019.

They’ll now have to knock off Cranbourne this weekend after Beaconsfield managed to keep them at bay, winning by just four goals 50-46.

The Eagles lead by three at the first change and four at the main break before Wandin bought the margin back to just one goal at the final change, thanks to the efforts of Alanna Lennie and Cleo Minney. Beaconsfield’s Danielle Roberts then stepped up to the plate, netting 12 goals in the last quarter to will the Eagles over the line.

Roberts finished with 25 goals, Tanya Mijovic shot 24 in a best on court performance whilst Zoe Mason and Jordan Lang ran the show in the wings for the Eagles. The Dogs will have to dust themselves off pretty quickly and go again. They’re in good form but may have dropped too far behind the eight ball.

Elsewhere Cranbourne won every quarter against Woori Yallock to go a game clear in third position on the ladder and Narre Warren snared a 24 goal win over Upwey-Tecoma with Tamika De Nardis and Jemma Osborne both shooting 28 goals. De Nardis was best on court for the Magpies as they finished the game strongly – netting 18 goals in the last quarter.

Meanwhile Olinda Ferny Creek did their thing, running out 42 goal winners of Healesville. Peri Stewart shot 51 goals whilst Brodie Smith and Alice Paget were the dominant duo on the court.

A massive second and fourth quarter effort from both Monbulk and their star shooter Stephanie Puopolo has seen the Hawks jump clear into third spot on the Division One Ladder.

The Hawks trailed Pakenham by three goals at the first change before Puopolo shot 13 of the Hawks 16 second quarter goals to give them the lead at half time. Despite the best efforts of Kyra Esler (30 goals), Rebecca Langford and Emma Jones the Lions were unable to get back control of the game as the Hawks and Puopolo repeated the dose in the final quarter to run out six goal winners, 47-41.

Monbulk made the most of their time in control of the match, winning the second and fourth terms 16-10 and 14-10 respectively. In contrast Pakenham were only able to win the first and third periods 10-7 and 11-10.

The Hawks attacking trio were in sync all day with Puopolo (43 goals), Sophie Stubbs (4) and Wing Attack Nicole MacDowell named the Hawks three best.

ROC remain in first position after they defeated Belgrave by 29 goals on Saturday 58-29. Dorothea George shot 28 goals, Sarah Castricum 18 and Zoe Callanan was impressive as the Roos won convincingly. Mount Evelyn’s Monique Moustafa-Lenehan shot 36 goals in the Rovers 14 goal win over Doveton to keep them in second place. Emily Pupuke was impressive again for the Doves with 15 goals.

Finally Warburton Millgrove have pulled within four points of Doveton and Pakenham Lions after they defeated Emerald by 14 goals. Bianca Daniels finished with 31 goals, 11 of which came in the first quarter, whilst Kirralee Liuyf was best on court with 26. Melissa Pansow netted 26 for Emerald in what was one of the Bombers better performances for the season.

In Division Two Yarra Glen have sent shockwaves through the Division after they defeated the previously invincible Yea Tigers by one goal on the weekend, 49-48.

The Tigers have had a couple of slow starts throughout earlier stages of the season but have been able to wrestle back control of the game on each occasion. They trailed 12-10 at the first change this time around but couldn’t get a stranglehold on the RiverPigs as they had done so regularly before. The margin increased to five at half time before reaching nine at the last change, thanks to a 10 goal quarter from Yarra Glen’s Nicole Moate.

Nikki Watts shot 16 goals (41 for the game) out of 17 in a frantic last quarter charge from the Tigers, but Yarra Glen were able to hold sway. Alicia Mortley finished with 22 goals for Yarra Glen, best on court Nicole Moate had 27.

Yarra Glen are well set for the remainder of the season now, with all their upcoming opponents below them on the ladder.

In other games, Cailey Nolan shot 42 goals in a best on court performance as Seville ran riot against Yarra Junction winning 68-37, whilst Powelltown kept touch with the top five after a 11 goal win over Alexandra.  Samantha Hansen (40 goals) and Marissa Haynes (Best on Court) continued their strong form for the Towners.