By David Nagel
Dalyston is quickly gaining a reputation for being the great escape artist of 2021 after the Magpies recorded their second heart-stopping victory for the season against Korumburra Bena on Saturday.
The Magpies – who had to fight hard for a 43-40 win over Bunyip in round one – were once again under the pump, leading by just one at three-quarter time before pulling clear to score a 41-37 victory in a tight and tense final term.
The Magpies are considered the greatest threat to Tooradin-Dalmore’s recent dominance but have done it tough in the early rounds against two teams that competed in the 2019 finals series.
Jarney Thomas (GS) kept a steady hand in the last quarter for the Magpies, shooting eight goals on her way to 27 for the match, while Grace McRae (C) produced a great game in midcourt alongside Sophie Scott (WD) and Chloe Bramley (WA).
The Giants will be disappointed with the loss but will sleep well knowing its best netball is more than a match for one of the best teams in the competition.
Bunyip showed its close first-round loss to Dalyston was no fluke with the Bulldogs proving too strong for Kooweerup in a lopsided 69-29 contest at Bunyip.
The Bulldogs were snarling for a week after the disappointment of round one but came out with a composed and controlled brand of netball that had the Demons on the back foot.
The Doggies led by 13 at the first break and extended to 30 by three-quarter time before finishing strongly with a 17-7 final term.
Kyra Esler (28 goals) and Claire Ablett (13) were unstoppable in goals, while Ebony Mumford and Sam Hodge gave nothing away at the defensive end of the court.
The Bulldogs are looking good and should secure a top-five berth with a win over Garfield this week.
Nar Nar Goon is celebrating its first win of the season after the home side proved too strong for Garfield on Saturday.
The Goon’s 47-29 victory was set up in the opening quarter with Laura McLaren (GA) having the hot hand in goals. McLaren scored 10 goals for the quarter, while Shannon Johns (GK) and Emily Gleeson (WD) kept things tight in defence.
The Stars produced a much-improved effort after quarter time and will take some real positives from their performance. Isabel Marsh and Georgia Newell are players to keep an eye on this year, while Bri Cook and Elise Byrne will be keen to do some damage on the scoreboard.
And Tooradin-Dalmore continues to cast its impressive and daunting shadow over the rest of the competition, this time with a 59-37 victory over Inverloch-Kongwak.
The Seagulls have quickly found their way to the top of the ladder in a powerful early display of their intent.
Kelly Andrews and her team have yet to be seriously pushed this season but face a tough task against a talented Warragul Industrials team this Sunday.
The Dusties were super-impressive against Garfield in round one but this is the ultimate step up in class with the Seagulls proven in all areas of the court.
Can the Dusties shut down stars like Jess Cox, Alex Maher, Ebony Dolan and Sara Duncan, or will the reigning premiers dance their way to another victory?
The big game begins at 2.45pm at Western Park.
