NETBALL REVIEW

By Matt Fotia

Another week of netball has passed and only one division seems to have its finals make up locked in after Powelltown upset Yarra Glen’s applecart, Narre Warren finished off the Bulldogs and Emerald surprised Doveton – it’s the Netball Review.

Wandin defeated Narre Warren early on in the season to bring their year to life and entered the return leg needing to beat the Magpies to keep their finals hopes alive.

They got the jump on Narre Warren leading 12 to eight at the first break before the Magpies returned serve to win the second quarter 13 to nine as Brittany Mashado and Caitlin Egan began to take control. The teams rounded the final bend with the visitors in front by just one goal, before Narre Warren pulled away to finish three goal victors, 40-37.

Kaeleigh Brown joined Egan and Mashado in the Magpies best players as Tamika De Nardis led the way with 20 goals. Wandin’s strength remained at either end of the court with Cassidy Iedema shooting 25 goals and Ruby Tidd named best on court in defence.

Wandin are all but finished in terms of finals this season, whilst Narre Warren have ticked the first item of their to do list, with an eye towards doing something special in September.

Woori Yallock had a 17 goal win over Berwick, thanks to a 19 goal to six last quarter, as Madeline Hargrave shot 37 goals for the victorious Tigers. Emma Clarke continued her strong season with 28 in a losing battle for Berwick.

Elsewhere Beaconsfield held off a fast finishing Upwey-Tecoma to win 34-30 (Danielle Roberts 26 goals), whilst Cranbourne had a comfortable 59-14 win over Healesville. Tahlia Coates shot 37 goals as Stephanie Ryan and Tara Cecil had strong afternoons.

Emerald have done Warburton Millgrove a massive favour after their first win of the season over Doveton handed the Burras fifth spot on the ladder.

The Bombers strong second and third quarter performance, in which they shot 19 goals to 14, finally gave them reward for effort after going winless in the first 12 rounds of the season.

Melissa Pansow shot 20 goals for the Bombers as Matilda Preston, Madison Miller and Hayley Scott lead the charge for the home side.

The Bombers will now be eyeing off their game against Belgrave in the second last round of the season as a chance for their second win.

Doveton’s Cara Humbert, Melissa Webster, Hayley Stewart and Itagia Amamtaga (17 goals) were impressive on Saturday, but will need to go again, as the Doves face Monbulk and the Pakenham Lions before a crucial round 16 clash with Warburton Millgrove, which could end up deciding the final five.

In other Division One news ROC have gone two games clear at the top of the ladder again after a four goal win over Mount Evelyn in a low scoring affair, 28-24.

Ellie Karalua shot 17 goals for the Rovers as the spread of Dorothea George (13 goals), Zoe Callanan, Emily McInness and Samantha Neil proved too much for the Rovers to handle.

Mount Evelyn themselves have a two game break on Monbulk and Pakenham.

Powelltown have jumped into the Division Two top five following a 44-42 win over the inform Yarra Glen.

Nicole Hadjer (16 goals) and Samantha Hansen (28) combined well once again, continuing their strong season as the Demons took advantage of a poor third quarter by the RiverPigs, outscoring them 10-5 in that period.

Demi Barber was named best on court from Goal Defence whilst Maddalyn Beet also played well. Bree Pascoe and Chelsea Birchall were the best of the RiverPigs, whilst Chloe Gray shot 25 goals in  vain.

Elsewhere Bille Cvijetic continued her ominous form, netting another 53 goals as Kinglake turned it up a notch with a 33 goal win over Alexandra, 80-47.

Second placed Seville had an 89-9 win over bottom placed Gembrook-Cockatoo.

The weekend’s results sets up an interesting race for fifth spot on the table, with Powelltown (93%), Yarra Junction (85%) and Alexandra (78%) all level on 32 points. The Demons are guaranteed at least four more points with a last round bye, but face Yea next weekend.

Yarra Junction and Alexandra face off in the final round of the season, with the Eagles travelling to Kinglake and the Rebels to Yarra Glen this weekend.