NETBALL REVIEW

By Matt Fotia

Despite their differences each division of Outer East netball all have one thing in common. One team well out in front and one leading the chase. Find out  who’s who in the netball review.

Olinda Ferny Creek have been the pacesetters all season in the premier division and after about four rounds their closest rival emerged in the shape of Beaconsfield.

Beaconsfield faced a challenge to throne of ‘next best’ when they took on Woori Yallock at the weekend.

The Eagles bookended the match dominating the first quarter nine to three, before winning the last quarter 14-10 to win by five goals – 38-33.  Danielle Roberts netted 21 goals with assistance from Tanya Mijovic (17), whilst Madeline Hargrave shot 25 goals for the Tigers, badly missing partner in crime Mia Sudormirski.

This loss leaves Woori Yallock in fourth place, well and truly amongst the peloton alongside Cranbourne and Narre Warren.

The bye this weekend should see them regain third spot, with the clash against Wandin the following week a big one – if they can win that they should be safe in the five, a loss opens it up for Wandin and possibly Berwick.

Beaconsfield have a two game gap on third and can now look to experiment, within reason, with different systems as they look to solve the mystery of how to defeat Olinda Ferny Creek.

In Division One Mount Evelyn are in almost the exact same position after they defeated Warburton Millgrove by 12 goals, winning every quarter besides the third (which was drawn) as they released the shackles scoring 45 goals.

The Rovers are now a game clear of the Pakenham Lions who take on ROC this coming weekend, meaning Mount Evelyn can also look to trial new game styles and plans in an attempt to knock of the undefeated ROC, without the fear of dropping down the table.

For Warburton Millgrove it was once again their inability to contain a side that hurt their chances of victory.

They haven’t lost any ground due Doveton’s defeat at the hands of the aforementioned ROC, but the Burras haven’t won in three weeks since they defeated the winless Emerald.

One thing in their favour is their strong percentage, meaning if they can get back to winning ways against Doveton this weekend they should reclaim their spot in the five.

In Division Two it’s Seville who sit in the wonderful no-mans-land also known as being the best of the rest.

The Blues led by one goal at the first change against Yea and extended the lead to two goals at halftime before the impressive Tigers machine clicked into gear, dominating the second half to finish winners by eight goals.

Melissa Martinov and Nikki Watts both shot 21 goals to help Yea survive their first real scare for the season, whilst Mandy Bell was impressive in the Blues mid court. Seville will take a lot from this loss as it confirmed their views that they’re able to match it with the divisions benchmark.

Elsewhere Powelltown put itself firmly back in the race for the finals, defeating Yarra Junction by a comfortable 20 goals in another high scoring match between the two sides, 66-46. Samantha Hansen the match winner with 45 goals for the Towners.