By David Nagel
A stunning third-quarter resurgence has seen Nar Nar Goon charge to back-to-back victories with a thrilling 34-32 triumph over Phillip Island on Saturday.
The Goon looked in all sorts of trouble at half time, trailing 16 to 10, and looking devoid of options at the attacking end of the court. But the move of Hollie Keysers from defence (GD) to attack (GS) paid immediate dividends, with the talented star scoring 11 third-quarter goals to single-handedly give the Goon back the initiative.
The visitors rescued a dire half-time scenario with a powerful 15-5 third term to set up a 25-21 lead, a margin that would narrow in the final quarter as the Bulldogs came back hard.
Keysers received great support from a wide-range of cast members, with Anna Robertson (GA) sharing the spoils under the ring and Abbey Kerr (WA) providing some fabulous passing options.
Alexandra Riley and Bec Cox were also super-effective in midcourt, while Hannah Carney (GD) and Eden Evans (GK) stood up strongly in defence.
The Bulldogs will be ruing a missed opportunity, but Lucy Monahan, Hayley Roberts, Anthea Bennett and Karina Proctor could all hold their heads high in defeat.
Some people who know West Gippsland netball very well have predicted Warragul Industrials to be the big improver this year, and that just may well be the case after the Dusties pushed reigning champions Tooradin-Dalmore at Western Park on Sunday.
The Dusties hit the Seagulls hard in the first quarter, taking a surprising 13-12 lead to the first break, before the Seagulls regained the ascendency after quarter time.
Sienna Green (C), Ruby Pratt (WA) and April Bethune (WD) matched motors with the elite Seagulls’ midcourt in the opening term, but were slightly shaded after the break.
The Seagulls had to work hard for their 50-43 victory, with the smart Alex – Duff and Maher – shooting the lights out when the pressure was on in the second quarter, and Emma Haynes contributing 19 of her side’s 24 second-half goals after sitting idle in the first half.
The Dusties face another huge challenge this week, hitting the road to take on the in-form Korumburra-Bena, who was too good for Inverloch-Kongwak, 57-21, on the weekend.
The Giants have started the season strongly, with a four-goal loss to Dalyston the only blot on their copybook.
The Giants had this one locked away early with Elisha Nicholas (GS) having a great game in goals and Kelsey Buxton (C), Ash Cuff (WD) and Jacqueline Snooks (WA) having a good time of things through the midcourt.
Inverloch tried hard until the bitter end, with Tanika McCaughan, Renee Pilkington and Meg Patterson working tirelessly in defence to stop the margin from blowing out further.
Cora Lynn coach Alan Douglas will be breathing a massive sigh of relief after his Cobras chalked up their first win of the season against Kooweerup on Saturday.
But it certainly wasn’t all one-way traffic with the Demons leading at quarter time before the Cobras ramped up their intensity after the first break. The Cobras locked down in defence, with Emily Brook, Bianca Douglas and Maddi Taylor proving almost impassable in the second quarter.
The Cobras turned a one-goal deficit into a two-goal lead by half time and then tightened the screws with an 11-7 third term. The six-goal buffer proved more than handy, with the Demons rediscovering their early fight and narrowing the margin to four.
The 33-29 loss would have been greater for the Demons if not for the efforts of Brooke Galante, Renae Joiner, Janell Johnson and Jayda McConkey.
Cora Lynn will have high hopes of going back-to-back this week against Garfield, while the Demons will look to open their account against Phillip Island.
And Bunyip is looming as a serious threat this season after easily accounting for Garfield, 66-11, on Saturday.
The Bulldogs have now had huge wins over the Stars and Kooweerup, but it was a close three-goal loss to Dalyston in round one that is a better indication of their true credentials.
Ebony Mumford, Olivia Hunt and Sam Hodge look to be a defensive unit capable of taking on the best, while Chloe Papley, Jasmin Mackie and Kyra and Romi Esler will be key figures as the season rolls on.
The Stars had no answers for the Bulldogs all-round strength, but Isabel Marsh, Georgie Douglas, Tyla Redwood and Jaymee Donnelly will not give up any game this season without a fight.
Bunyip will look to continue its good form and make it three wins on the trot against Nar Nar Goon on Saturday.
