Round 7 Reviews
Football
Lexton V Newstead
Fans of high-scoring and the old-fashioned shootout would have had a ball at Lexton on Saturday afternoon as the Tigers held out Newstead in an entertaining game by 22 points.
The result sees the Tigers close on a top four spot, sitting just percentage behind Carisbrook in fifth, while the result is a blow for the Kangaroos, who now drop to 11th.
The opening quarter was fast-paced and frenetic, and resulted in the highest scoring quarter of the day, with 10 goals between either side. Both teams kicked five goals for the term, but it was the Tigers who led by six points at the first change.
The scoring continued at a good pace in the second term, with Lexton continuing to hold Newstead at arms’ length. The Tigers added four goals, while Newstead scored three, meaning it was an 11-point game at the main break.
Newstead’s third quarter saw the gap close as the Kangaroos looked to fight to regain control of their season. They were able to kick five goals, while Lexton still added four, but it was well and truly game on at the final change, with the Tigers leading by four points.
Looking to keep their top four hopes alive, the Tigers were able to get the break they needed in the last term as they kicked five of the first six goals of the quarter to extend their lead to 26 points.
From there, they were never headed, but it was at least the first time both teams had scored 100 points in a league match since the Tigers’ one-point victory over Avoca in round six, 2022.
There was plenty of drive from the Tigers’ midfield in their victory, with Pearce Antonio and Jack Cuttler named in their best, while Jaykeb Lench also played a crucial role. Benjamin Noonan kicked five goals, while Lochlan Pett and William Brand were also named in the Tigers’ best.
For Newstead, Cordie McKendry was terrific, while Tyler James led the line with five goals. Anthony Robins, Jovian Goulton, Angus Mayes and Rhys Smith were also named in the best for the Kangaroos.
Dunolly V Natte Bealiba
A devastating second quarter burst allowed Natte Bealiba to ease to victory by 29 points against Dunolly at Deledio Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Swans were never headed at any stage, and even though they saw a 49-point half time lead somewhat whittled down by the end, it was still more than enough to continue their winning run, while Dunolly have now lost two on the bounce.
It was the Swans that got the better start in the opening quarter, kicking four of the first five goals to lead by 18 points at the first change.
But it was their second quarter which allowed the Swans to seal the contest, putting together six goals to the Eagles’ solitary effort to lead comfortably at half time.
With the Eagles looking for a response after losing to the Maryborough Giants last week, it wasn’t forthcoming in the first half, but they were able to win the third quarter to reduce the margin to 44 points at the last change, kicking three goals to two.
It was all the Eagles in the last quarter as they added another three goals to the Swans’ one, but it was Natte Bealiba’s day as they made it six wins in a row, continuing to maintain the best percentage by some distance in the competition in the process.
Again, it was the Swans’ ability to share the goalkicking load around which stood out on the day, with 10 individual goalkickers providing their 13 goals.
Will Cameron was one of three Swans to kick two goals, and he is enjoying a purple patch, named as their best player for a third consecutive game. Alongside him, Austin McKenzie, Kya Lanfranchi, Jordi Cossar, Toby Beavis and playing-coach Trent Mortlock were also in the best, as they warmed up for a blockbuster home meeting with Trentham.
While Dunolly will be disappointed with their first half, they will at least be pleased with the manner they ran out the game, and will be desperately seeking a result next week at Maldon.
Bailey Wingrave was named as the Eagles’ best, while Oscar Keogh, Jake Willcocks, Adal Zuk, Jay McDonald and Joshua Goodman were named in their best players, with Willcocks leading the way with a three-goal haul.
Maryborough Giants V Carisbrook
Maryborough Giants pulled off arguably the biggest upset of the season so far in defeating Carisbrook by two points in a low-scoring game.
Remarkably, the win came for the Giants despite going goalless in the second and third quarters.
The first quarter turned out to be the highest-scoring quarter of the day, with four goals kicked between both teams. The Giants peppered the goals, and had six scoring shots to two to lead by four points at the first change.
It was Carisbrook’s turn to have the better of the play in the second quarter, and they were able to deliver the only goal of the term. However, their inaccuracy also proved costly, as they scored six behinds, while the Giants could only manage three behinds. At the main break, it was Carisbrook by five points.
The third quarter perhaps won’t go down too much in history, with neither side able to kick a goal, but the pressure was immense from both teams as they battled for supremacy. The Giants kicked four behinds to the Redbacks’ solitary behind to trail by two points at the final change.
With the game on the line, the Giants were able to hit the front by kicking two goals, while holding Carisbrook to one, and the final siren was one of mass celebration for the Giants, who had now strung two wins in a row — yet this one felt like one of their most significant results they’ll have for the season as they announced themselves as a truly dangerous team to play against.
The work of Jack Broad in the ruck against Carisbrook’s Jackson Bowen was critical to the Giants’ success, as was the midfield work of Kieran Johns, Lachlan Bates and Cody Wright. Archer Patterson and Matt Walker were also named in the best.
The result is a slight step back for the Redbacks, who have been struggling to score, but are still holding up very strongly in a defensive sense with such a young squad.
Patrick Van der Pol was named the Redbacks’ best, while Andrew Toan, Dillan Treacy, Bowen, Richard Zelencich and Harry Cullum were also named in their best players.
Netball
Trentham V Campbells Creek
Trentham steadily cleared away from Campbells Creek after quarter time on Saturday to win by 20 goals.
Coming in to the encounter, it looked to be a fascinating game between two teams separated by one game on the ladder, and the opening term suggested it would be a tight affair as Trentham led by two goals at the opening change, scoring 12 goals to 10. Zahlia Turton scored 10 of the Saints’ goals, while Jacqui Bell added two, while for Campbells Creek, Lillie Wrigley scored seven goals, and Mollie Kennedy three.
Trentham super-sub Tarnee Hammond came on to do the damage in the second term, and she was a major factor in the Saints moving seven goals clear by half time, after scoring 14 goals to nine, 26-19. Hammond scored 12 of the Saints’ goals, while Turton added two more. For Campbells Creek, Wrigley scored seven and Kennedy two.
It was the third quarter where Trentham were able to essentially seal the game, scoring at a very economical pace, and finishing with 14 goals to six to move 15 goals clear at the last change, 40-25. Hammond scored eight goals, and Bell six, while for Campbells Creek, Wrigley scored five goals, and Tarni Williams scored one goal.
The Saints ran out the game strongly, scoring 15 goals to 10 to eventually take all four quarters, both simultaneously keeping them in the top eight, as well as in touch with the top four, with their third win of the season. Hammond scored 11 goals to finish with 31, while Turton scored four goals to finish with 18.
For Campbells Creek, who now have the tricky task of facing Avoca, Wrigley scored eight goals to finish with 27 goals, while Kennedy scored two goals.
Talbot V Harcourt
The B.A Road Services Talbot Hawks took a significant result for the club’s continued development, defeating Harcourt by 17 goals for their first victory of the season.
The Hawks were dialled in from the start as they were able to win the first three quarters comfortably to control the pace of the game.
Tia Skelton was generating many opportunities, and scored 11 goals, while playing-coach Eleisha Phelps added four to ensure Talbot would lead 15-10 at the first change. For the Lions, Tegan McKay scored seven goals, and Gemma Papadimos three.
The Hawks continued to control the pace in the second term as they continued to score at will, overwhelming the Lions as they scored 14 goals to seven to lead 29-17 at the main break. Skelton continued to be a dominant force under the ring, scoring eight goals, while Phelps added four goals and Dom Roche two.
Papadimos scored four goals for the Lions, while McKay added three.
It was all Talbot in the third quarter as they essentially sealed the game, scoring 16 goals to nine to lead 45-26 at the final change, with Skelton and Phelps scoring eight goals each for the Hawks as they continued their overall dominance. Papadimos scored five goals for the Lions, while McKay added four.
Harcourt had their best quarter in the last term to outscore the Hawks 10-8, but it was too little, too late, as the Hawks celebrated their first win of the season.
For the victorious Hawks, Skelton scored three goals to finish with 30 for the afternoon, while Phelps scored five times to finish with 21.
Meantime, for the Lions, McKay scored seven goals to finish with 21, while Papadimos scored three times.
Talbot will now look to continue their competitive run when they travel to Carisbrook, while Harcourt will host Navarre.
Lexton V Newstead
Lexton took a step forward in their quest to remain in the top four race with a strong win over Newstead on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers were able to take charge in the second quarter, and indeed were able to win every quarter of their clash as they moved up to fifth position on the ladder.
The first quarter was a good battle, with plenty of scoring as the Tigers scored 16 goals to the Kangaroos’ 12. For Lexton, Rachel Phelan scored 13 goals, while playing-coach Leesa Donhardt added three, while for the Kangaroos, playing-coach Bri Jury scored five goals, and Tayla Gale seven.
The second term saw Lexton dominate as they scored 17 goals to nine to move clear by 12 goals at the main break, leading 33-21. Donhardt scored 10 goals for the Tigers, while Phelan added seven, and for the Kangaroos, Gale scored five times and Jury four.
It was another high-scoring quarter in the third term, with Lexton adding 16 goals and Newstead 13, with the Tigers leading 49-34 at the last change. Phelan scored 12 times for the Tigers, while Donhardt added four, and for the Kangaroos, Jury scored seven times and Gale six.
The final quarter saw both teams essentially holding station, with the Tigers scoring 13 goals to nine to increase their lead. Phelan added three goals to finish with 35 for the day, while Donhardt scored 10 to finish with 27. For the Kangaroos, Gale scored all nine goals to finish with 27 for the day.
The Tigers now sit fifth as they negotiate their first bye of the season, while Newstead sit a game clear in eighth ahead of a tough task against the ladder-leading Maryborough Giants.
Avoca V Navarre
Avoca showed no mercy to Navarre on Saturday, scoring 82 goals to eventually win by 52 in arguably their strongest showing so far this season.
In what was a battle between the highest-scoring team and one of the best defensive teams in the competition, offense comprehensively won the day as Avoca’s size and ball movement was too strong for the Hoppers.
In particular, it was Maddy Egan who was proving to be a handful for the Navarre defence, scoring 16 of the Bulldogs’ 18 goals in the first term as they opened up an 11-goal lead. Gina Beavis scored the Bulldogs’ two remaining goals, while Mollie Simpson hit all of the Hoppers’ seven goals.
It was much of the same in the second term as the Bulldogs continued to play the game on their terms, scoring 18 goals to five to take a commanding 36-12 lead at the main change. Egan scored 10 goals and Beavis eight for the Bulldogs, while for Navarre, Simpson scored four goals and Annabelle Price added one.
The Bulldogs continued their brutal run in the third as they continued to extend their lead, scoring 22 goals to 10 to lead 58-22 at the final change. Egan scored 16 goals, and Beavis six for the Bulldogs, while for Navarre, Simpson scored eight goals and Price two.
There was no let-up from the Dogs all afternoon, and so it proved in the final quarter as they scored 24 goals to eight to take a commanding victory. Egan scored 17 goals to finish with 59 for the afternoon, while Beavis scored seven to end up with 23. For
Navarre, Simpson scored five goals to lead the way with 24 goals, while Price added three more.
The Bulldogs will look to continue their unbeaten run as they host Campbells Creek, while Navarre will have a chance to bounce back against the winless Harcourt.
Dunolly V Natte Bealiba
It may have been Dunolly’s big day as they officially opened their revamped netball courts, but Natte Bealiba played party poopers as they took a strong 57-goal victory.
The Swans were too good for the inexperienced Eagles as they took advantage of their run in their legs to increase the margin at will in the second half after a reasonably competitive first half.
It was a fairly balanced first quarter, with the Swans scoring 13 goals to the Eagles’ six. Emma Ryan scored 11 goals for the Swans, while Polly Douglas added two, while for the Eagles, Kate Ashman scored four goals and Hannah Kenny two.
Natte started to clear out in the second quarter, scoring 18 goals to five to lead 31-11 at the main break. Again, Ryan was scoring at will, scoring 13 goals, while Douglas added five, while for the Eagles, Kenny scored three goals and Ashman two.
The third quarter was completely dominated by Natte as they came out looking to maximise their scoring output, scoring 26 goals to three for the quarter to lead 57-14 by the last change. Ryan was dominant, scoring 22 goals, while Douglas added four, while for the Eagles, Ashman scored all three goals.
The last quarter was a high-scoring affair, with 34 goals between the two teams, as Natte finished strongly with 24 goals to 10.
Ryan scored 23 goals to finish with 69 for the day, while Shannae Mills scored one, while for the Eagles, Kenny scored eight to finish with 13, and Ashman two.
Natte now move into a clash with Trentham just one game behind unbeaten duo Maryborough Giants and Avoca, while Dunolly will look to turn the tide against Maldon.
Maryborough Giants V Carisbrook
Maryborough Giants continue to set new markers for the rest of the competition in their first season of A grade netball, this time defeating Carisbrook by 15 goals.
The Giants inflicted a second straight loss on Carisbrook as they maintained top spot on the ladder on a day where they were able to sweep the Redbacks all-round on the court.
It was a fast start for the Giants as they scored 14 goals to five to lead by nine at the first break, with Abbey Raven scoring eight goals and playing-coach Annalyse Carroll six, while for Carisbrook, Abbey Nalder scored four goals and Paige McLean one.
The Giants knew they were in for a battle, given Carisbrook’s ability to fight back, and so it proved in the second quarter as the Redbacks won the quarter by scoring 15 goals to 14 to trail 20-28. Nalder scored 10 goals, while McLean scored five, and for the Giants, Carroll scored 11 goals, and Raven three.
However, it seemed the Giants had all the answers to Carisbrook’s challenge, and they scored 11 goals to 10 for the term to maintain a 39-30 lead. There was an even spread of goalscorers for the Giants, with Carroll scoring four, Abbey Devereaux scoring four and Raven scoring three for the Giants, while for Brook, Nalder scored six and McLean four.
The last term saw the Giants break away, scoring 17 goals to 11 to ensure they were able to win comfortably. Devereaux scored nine goals, while Carroll scored eight, and for Carisbrook, Andrea Schafer scored eight goals and Nalder three.
The Giants now travel to Newstead as they look to continue their unbeaten run, while Carisbrook host Talbot as they look to bounce back and maintain their spot in the top four.
Avoca v Navarre
In what was one of the games of the round, Navarre fought back from a first quarter nine point deficit to defeat Avoca by nine points. 11.9.(75) to 10.6.(66)
It was the second quarter where Navarre won the game when they were simply too fast and skilful for the Bulldogs kicking four goals from eight scoring shots on goal and holding the Bulldogs to just one goal from two scoring shots.
The Bulldogs have been having difficulty in their opening quarters all season but opened strongly against the Grasshoppers on this occasion, only to let it slip in the second term.
Only two points separated the scores in the second half with it basically being goal for goal, and Navarre goaled on the siren at three quarter time to take a ten pint lead into the final term.
The Bulldogs tried hard to bridge the gap, but the Navarre defence was too strong and held out till the final siren.
Nick Birthisel, has been a solid recruit for Navarre this season and has been in the best players for the last four rounds and was again named the best for Navarre on Saturday. Luke Hendy with 5 goals, Charlie Ferguson, and Daniel Reading, were also others to play well as was Sam Walker, and Brady Tillig.
Avoca was well served by Darcy Carey, Sean Moyle, Byron Wynd, and Riley Hamilton, and also Jamie Beavis, and Alexander Hay, with Coach Zack Lubeek, the only multiple goal scorer with two goals.
Talbot v Harcourt
Harcourt was very impressive from start to finish as they handed Talbot a sixty-nine point defeat on Saturday at Talbot Recreation Reserve. 15.12.(102) to 5.3.(33)
Harcourt won every quarter, but they were helped in the 2nd term, when two Talbot players were ordered from the ground late in the opening quarter for seemingly minor infractions.
The Lions were just too slick for the Hawks, as they flicked the ball out to running players at every opportunity and transferred play to the opposite side of the ground when congestion set in. There was always a loose player waiting in the wings on the fat side of the ground where they set up many forward moves.
Cameron Anderson was amazing as he ran through lines and broke tackles with ease and went forward to slot three goals for the game.
Baxter Gurd was one player that was loose and delivered the ball into the forward line where Jed Rodda (3 Goals) and Alex Code (2 goals) were waiting.
Jed Rodda and Tom Walters also presented up forward for the Lions.
Talbot Coach, Phil Crouch told his players to take it on in the last term and his advice resulted in the Hawks kicking the first three goals of the final term through Aaron Collicoat, Brandon Solomano and Brad Dunbar, but Harcourt kicked the final three goals to run out convincing winners.
Sam Hill and Jude McGuire were named best players for Talbot as were Darcy Osborne, Luke Kemp, Brandon Solomano, and Dylan Page, with five individual goalkickers.
Trentham v Campbells Creek
A fifteen goal haul by leading goalkicker James Regan helped Trentham post a one hundred and ninety-eight point victory over the winless Campbells Creek. 35.15.(225) to 4.3.(27)
From the very first bounce the Saints went on a goal scoring rampage slotting eleven opening quarter goals from sixteen scoring shots and holding Creek to just one goal.
Jake Keogh was another to have his goal kicking boots on for the Saints snagging seven goals in the massive victory.
It was an exceedingly difficult day for the visiting team as the majority of the play was straight out of the middle and into the Trentham scoring zone.
It was only in the last quarter that the Creekers managed some scoring opportunities kicking two final quarter goals, but it was another gruelling day at the office.
The midfield was just too strong for Creek, led by Joel Cowan and Alister Ferrier who were both named amongst the best players along with goal machine, James Regan, Jake Keogh, Mark Strickland, and Joel Dovaston.
Creek named Jyanni Pollard, Luke Manning and Justin Allison as their best players as well as Dylan Stevens, Justin Garipolli
