NETBALL REVIEW

By Matt Fotia

Narre swoop, the Rovers hold on and Yarra Junction claim the last spot in the finals. All that and more in the Netball review. 

Narre Warren have upset Cranbourne to keep their top three hopes alive, after they burst out of the blocks to shock the Eagles.

The Magpies led 17-8 at quarter time after Chloe Phillips shot 11 first quarter goals, before they repeated the dose in the second quarter with another 17 goals, the Eagles managing only nine. 

Cranbourne were able to provide themselves a brief flicker of hope in the third quarter when Alanah Hardy and Shannon Johns combined for 12 goals to Narre’s five, but alas they were destined to fall short of the impressive Magpies.

Hardy was named the best player for Cranbourne, whilst Kealeigh Brown and Brtinee Tyers were the two best for the Magpies. The aforementioned Hardy shot 24 goals for Cranbourne, whilst Phillips finished with 19, as Tamika De Nardis and Jemma Osborne also spent time in the goal circle. 

Narre Warren remain in fifth place but are just two games behind Cranbourne now and the Eagles face Olinda Ferny Creek this weekend, opening it up for the Magpies and Woori Yallock, who play each other this weekend.

Beaconsfield were also the beneficiary of the Magpies victory as they jumped back into second spot on the ladder with a 74-25 win over Healesville. Danielle Roberts and Bianca Sanzaro shot 39 goals and 25 goals respectively. 

Woori Yallock stay in fourth place after a comfortable 70-39 win over Upwey-Tecoma, shooting 36-19 after half time, Mia Sudomirski shooting 42 goals, whilst Olinda Ferny Creek are still undefeated after a big 84-32 win, where they scored 20 plus goals in every quarter outside of the third.

Peri Stewart sits on 716 goals for the season, needing an average of 142 goals a game to reach the magic 1000 marker before the finals.

In Division One Monbulk and Mount Evelyn played out a see-sawing encounter with the Rovers finishing three goal victors thanks to a 12 goal to nine last quarter.

The Rovers led at quarter time 10-9 before the Hawks completed a two goal swing in the second quarter to lead 18-17 at the main break. Scores were locked 26 apiece at the final change as the likely week one final opponents battled it out. 

The Black’s were impressive once again for Mount Evelyn as Ellie Karalua shot 24 goals, combining well with Georgia Marsh, who shot 14. Nicole MacDowell starred for the Hawks shooting 16 goals from Goal Attack in a best on court performance, ably supported by Paige Whitworth and Tiana Mancarella. 

The other Division One encounters saw Emerald lose by 16 goals to Belgrave as Ellen Anthony (25 goals) battled it out with Melissa Pansow (20), ROC hammered an inform Warburton Millgrove, jumping out with a 20 goal to seven first quarter.  Emily La Roche was best on court as Dorothea George shot 26 goals. 

Warburton Millgrove remain a game and percentage clear in fifth spot after Doveton went down to the Pakenham Lions 37-44. The Doves faded in the second half as Kyra Esler shot 32 goals to see her shoot up to second on the division’s goal scoring ladder. 

In Division Two Yarra Junction ran out 16 goal winners over Alexandra at home to book their spot in the Gumbuya World Division Two finals series. 

The Eagles were always comfortable, leading by five goals at the first change, six at half time and nine at three quarter time before running away with the match in the final quarter. 

Amanda Finn shot 43 goals to continue her fantastic season whilst partner in crime Amelia Rose shot 22. Mia Motteram will hit the finals in red hot form, producing another best on court performance, alongside Stacey Davis as the Eagles smothered the Rebels mid court trio to keep their season alive.

The Eagles will face Yarra Glen who finished their season with a massive win over Gembrook-Cockatoo, netting 73 goals to 15. Coach Alicia Mortley shot 40 goals whilst winger Chelsea Birchall finished best on court. 

Meanwhile Kinglake and Seville kept their cards close to their chest in a warm up for the A Grade qualifying final this weekend. 

The Blues won by eight goals in the end 50-42 and were always in control as Jackie Cullimore (18 goals) finished the season behind only Melissa Martinov of Yea on the goal scoring charts. 

Kinglake’s Billie Cvijetic shot 33 to finish third behind the pair.