SENIOR NETBALL: ROUND 6 REVIEW
Each week we’ll be reviewing one match from all seven senior netball divisions, selecting one of the closer games or a key match in the context of the season. Read on to find out what took place in Round 6, the second night of divisional play post the completion of grading.
DIVISION 1 – PCCSC Bull Sharks v Sunshine Schwartz
After a thrilling one-point victory a week earlier, Sunshine was fired up to make it two wins on the trot and they would go ahead early on Friday night, holding a slight one-point advantage at quarter time with the Sharks fighting hard to keep their head above water. Some defensive changes for the second term would see Jahna Tumoana at GK, teaming up well with Florina Lam-Perestenethis (GD) and Nikita Singh (WD) and the new partnership would prove influential. The tight tussle quickly turned into a goal after goal highlight for Sunshine as GS Rochelle Tier took advantage in attack with 11 first half goals. The defensive pressure from Sunshine continued in the second half with Nikita Singh working tirelessly through the midcourt showing that WD’s really do define any defensive circle. In the end Sunshine lodged their second win, 39-25.
DIVISION 2 – Yarraville Seddon Gold v Braybrook Hawkins
It was a hot start from Yarraville Seddon’s GA Isobel Robertson in her side’s clash with Braybrook Hawkins as she fired in nine goals from nine attempts to start the game. Robertson’s battle with Braybrook GD Helena Samardzija drew all eyes with both players desperate to aid their side, while WA Abbey Grant also impressed for Yarraville Seddon zipping around the court and capitalising on the space she created. The third quarter saw Cassandra Lindsay move to centre for Braybrook where she had key intercepts and with good support from WD Katrina Rebuffo, Hawkins put the pressure back on their opponents. With Lauren Creed adding 13 goals in the second half Braybrook would prove the stronger team and when the final bell sounded came away victorious 43-40.
DIVISION 3 – Albanvale Cobras v Yarraville Seddon Red
It weas another good result for Kelly Greenwood’s Albanvale Cobras with the premiership winning coach proving her team has the smarts and strength in all aspects of the court. Against Yarraville Seddon Red, Amanie Malual worked overtime in GK picking off any lose balls and rebounds with the Cobras really testing shooter Bronwyn Coffey as they applied great pressure every minute of this game. The midcourt battle between centres Nicola Verhoef and Bronwyn Parazynski was also a thrilling one with the umpire having to pull both players up on intentional contacts several times throughout the game. Ultimately it was the Cobras that moved to 2-0 at the end of the night thanks to a 35-25 win.
DIVISION 4 – Wyndhamvale White v Glen Orden 4
It was a back-and-forth affair in the Division 4 match between Wyndhamvale White and Glen Orden 4 with shooters from both teams working hard and firing accurately for much of the contest. Glen Orden coach Rebecca Hicks told her chargers to focus on passing in front of the player not to the player, by getting the ball above their head sighting their teammate and releasing the ball straight away without hesitation, and for her shooters to back themselves at every chance. Akeelah Coffins certainly heard her coach as she worked hard in the circle converting any opportunities she had, showing physical agility and keeping her shooting circle moving. Wyndhamvale GD Lauren Martin contested every pass coming the way of her opponent and shut down space well knowing her players next move while collecting key intercepts that would define the game. When the final whistle blew the two teams couldn’t be separated with the final score a 30-30 draw.
DIVISION 5 – PCCSC Reef Sharks v Glen Orden 5
After a comfortable win against their clubmates the Nurse Sharks the week before, the Round 6 match for Reef Sharks was a tougher task against Glen Orden 5. There were some strong highlights from Reef Shark’s shooter Tanaya Cunningham who spent time at both GA and GS with her play a good moral booster for her side. At the other end Glen Orden shooter Emily Masoe chipped away with scores of her own, tallying a game-high 16 goals. In what was a hard fight encounter at both ends of the court it would be Glen Orden putting another win on the board with a 25-20 triumph.
DIVISION 6 – Point Cook Red v PCCSC Mako Sharks
Point Cook Red coach Peta Kortum has clearly worked hard over preseason to shape her girls to be tight competitors and they now appear be one of the top teams in Division 6. With a raft of changes throughout the game Kortum showed great understanding of her players’ capabilities and utilised all the options at her disposal with equal rotation on and off the bench proving beneficial. Meanwhile, Mako Sharks coach Rebecca Salmon pushed her players to work hard through the midcourt and to have confidence with their shot, Tracey Findlay (GA) was a key performer for Mako with half of her team’s goals while getting good support from WA Kristy Cox who showed good vision down the court into the circle. On the night it was the Point Cook Red who came out on top winning 32-17.
DIVISION 7 – West Footscray White v West Footscray Red
After adding a second team in their inaugural season West Foostcray found their two sides facing off in Round 6. Like all clubs they are wanting to win but more importantly they are definitely having fun and showing great comradery. Coach and club president Darren Burnham often reminds his players of this and is doing a great job ensuring all players get solid court time to help them develop. The standout performer in Friday’s game was shooter Matilda Herbert who proved to be the defining factor to help earn West Footscray Red a narrow one-goal win with the final score being 18-17.