SENIOR NETBALL: ROUND 7 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 7, the third night of divisional play post the completion of grading.
DIVISION 1 – PCCSC Bull Sharks v Laverton
The Division 1 match between Bullsharks and Laverton was a close contest at every turn. Bullsharks GS Loia Tuafafo was the standout performer, the length on her shooting range was a showstopper for anyone watching as she drained 21 goals. Meanwhile, Laverton’s Brittany Christy (GK) & Colleen Lavea (GD) showed what a strong zone defence can do. Ahead of the fourth quarter Laverton coach Angie Karika told her girls “defence always wins a game, stop dropping your heads and when a turnover happens get back and work hard to regain the ball and then convert.” The message from Bullsharks coach Katie Kakcoshke was “slow the play down, reassess and back each other, keep going for the one, twos and don’t get sucked in.” Both teams fought hard for the ball and matched each other in turnovers, but at the final buzzer it was Laverton coming out on top 33-30.
DIVISION 2 – Great White Sharks v Sunshine Connor
Striving for their first win of the divisional play Sunshine Connor did all the right things through the midcourt and into the shooting circle with Christina Afoa (GS) and Thao Nguyen (GA) worked well in tandem. Great White’s Kelly van Bloomstein was pushed by Sunshine’s Toni Gray through the midcourt with the two talented players fighting hard back and forth down court in a game that was a neck and neck at every change. Coach Rhiannon Reti pulled on her Sunshine dress for the first time this season to support her players on court and showcased her strength. However, in the fourth, Great White GA Emily was the star finishing with 17 goals as her team secured their second win with a 27-23 result.
DIVISION 3 – Albanvale Cobras v Sunshine Williams
After a couple of comfortable wins to start divisional play Albanvale’s Round 7 clash with Sunshine Williams shaped as the match of the week in Division 3 and that’s exactly what it was. Cobras GK Amanie Malual (GK) was on from the first centre pass, eager to work hard to defend her teams winning streak while GA Vanessa Mokdissi was tested at every pass by Sunshine’s solid GD Pisila iIoa. Amy Morgan held her structure and space well to support her team through the midcourt moving from WA to C during the game. At three-quarter time the difference was just two goals with Sunshine leading 22-20 and the Cobras desperate to stay in it. Lovey Morgunga (GK) would be the difference collecting rebounds, intercepts and applying constant pressure to help Sunshine to their second straight win while ending Albanvale’s winning start at two games, the final score 28-26.
DIVISION 4 – Glen Orden 4 v Manor Lakes 1
Having shown plenty of fight through their first two games things weren’t going to get any easier for Manor Lakes in their third game of divisional play taking on an undefeated Glen Orden 4. This game was an arm wrestle from the start, Manor Lakes coach Kristy Wilson telling her team “to stick tighter to players when transitioning from defence into attack.” Briana Lang (C) and Teoni Milner (WA) worked wonders through the mid court with seamless ball movement from centre circle to circle edge. Glen Orden GA Akeelah Coffins had another stellar game in attack and alongside GS Irie Kofoisuva (GS) both players swung the ball around the circle creating a classic front and base run split. The pair turned it up for coach Rebecca Hicks who said at the three quarter-time break “remember to have fun, be strong and consistent, enjoy the moment and be dominant.” After a strong back and forth the game went down to the final 30 seconds, Glen Orden overjoyed as the final whistle with another win on the board as they saluted 21-20.
DIVISION 5 – Parkside v PCCSC Reef Sharks
Parkside’s Division 5 side have so far shown they mean business in their inaugural year sitting second on the ladder ahead of their Round 7 encounter with Reef Sharks. You can see the connection between Parkside’s midcourt and defensive end. Amelia Barnes (GK) and Sheridan Casley (GD) work so well as a collective with Friday night seeing them communicate where the opposition shooters were to shut down any chance they had at goal. Parkside GA Stephanie Fankhause used her voice well along with her skills to turnover lose balls as Reef Sharks transitioning from defence into attack. In the end it was Parkside chalking up their second win 31-17.
DIVISION 6 – Sunshine Toomey v PCCSC Mako Sharks
After claiming a premiership last year it’s been a tough start for Mako Sharks in Division 6, however with coach Rebecca Salmon still at the helm the team will be fully aware of what it takes to go back-to-back in season 24. Sunshine GS Tracey Findlay’s movement and accuracy under the post was a standout in the first half and her connection with GA Prue Kohout was impressive. Meanwhile for Sunshine, GK Zaidee Waldron worked tirelessly to get her hands to anything she could to help her side. As the match drew to a close it was Sunshine celebrating their first win of the divisional play with a 27-25 triumph.
DIVISION 7 – Suns Rising v Albanvale White
Suns Coach Rachel Biffin made a much-anticipated comeback from an ACL injury in her side’s Round 7 meeting with Albanvale White. Donning the black, red and yellow for the first time this season Biffin proved dynamic in a time of need at the defensive end and in partnership with GD Rachael Mangan the pair worked like a well-oiled machine, shutting down Albanvale’s shooting end with ease. Albanvale GA Tylah Hickey was a threat down court, turning over balls through the midcourt to help support her team as much as she could. Albanvale coach Martin Belski tried to keep moral high, desperately trying to find a strong combination through the court by utilising rolling subs to the full extent of the rules. Unfortunately for Albanvale it would be Suns who continued on their winning ways claiming victory 27-14.