NETBALL REVIEW

Just the three A Grade Netball games took place across the Outer East last weekend, with Division Two continuing on in spite of Interleague. All of the three clear premiership contenders got four points with Kinglake having the bye, Yea hosting a rebuilding Yarra Glen and Seville playing away to Yarra Junction. The round saw some high scoring overall, and a big drought breaking win in the B Grade.  Read on for the Netball Review.

Powelltown went down to Alexandra by nine goals despite dominating the first quarter. The Towners were up 11-6 at the first break with Samantha Hansen and Nicole Hadjer starting very well before they were well held by the Alexandra defensive pairing of Brooke Lloyd and Monique Mann. The Rebels duo were able to keep the Powelltown attackers to just 24 goals after the first change, whilst their offence opened up Powelltown, with the Rebels hitting double figures in each of the final three quarters. Lauren Steyger ran the mid court for the Rebels as they grabbed their second win for the season, and with the addition of two early byes they sit on 16 points after five rounds – a handy start.

Alexandra grabbed thier second win for the season against Powelltown. Photo – BH Photography

Yarra Junction collected victories in their opening two rounds of the season, but haven’t tasted success since then having lost to Yea, had the bye and now they have also gone down to Seville, who were without their star defender Steph McNay, who was up in Bendigo winning the Best on Court medal in the Outer East’s 15 goal loss to the Bendigo FNL.  Both sides threw caution to the wind from the first whistle with 32 goals shot between the two sides at quarter time, and 58 in total at half time. The Blues put the foot down in the second half doubling the Eagles second half score shooting 34 goals to 17 after the main break, to see them sit just percentage behind Kinglake in third position.

Seville were impressive against Yarra Junction. Photo – BH Photography

Recruit Jackie Cullimore led the charge with 40 goals for the Blues with Cailey Nolan (15) and Carly McDonell (13) were there to provide able support, whilst Yarra Junction’s goaling combo maintained their impressive 2019 form, as Amanda Finn nailed 25 goals and Amelia-Rose Michelle 14. It’ll be the defensive effort of the Eagles that will disappoint, they allowed the Blues to score 16 or more goals in each and every quarter. They’ve now conceded more goals than they’ve scored this season and will need to tighten that defence up over the coming weeks.

Yea seem to be unstoppable at this early stage of the season as they swept aside Yarra Glen by 50 goals on the weekend. The Tigers kept the Riverpigs to just 13 goals in each half whilst they piled on 37 goals and 39 goals respectively. Tayissa Coppinger was ultra impressive in defence, whilst Sam Coppinger was effervescent in the mid court. For Yarra Glen Alicia Hughes showed some positive signs netting 17 of her sides 26 goals, whilst the versatile Katelyn Vanderkolk also put in a strong outing.

Yea continue on their merry way in 2019. Photo BH Photography

A special mention must go out to the Thornton Eildon B Grade side who gave their club its first win since round eight 2017 on the weekend, knocking off a finals bound Kinglake by five goals 39-34. The Shinboners led at every change in a tight encounter and despite Kinglake showing signs of a comeback when they won the third quarter 12 goals to 10, Thornton Eildon steadied to take the last term 12 goals to nine. Keely Grant finished with 21 goals and Rose Kealy shot 18 goals in the win, whilst Madeline Giulano was a defensive rock for the victors. A great sign for the future of Thornton Eildon’s netball rebuild.

Thornton Eildon got its first netball win since round 8 2017. Picture – Jo Anne Szwedyc