By David Nagel
Tooradin-Dalmore and Kooweerup are the proud owners of the first A Grade draw in the WGFNC this season after the Seagulls and Demons were locked at 51-all after a magnificent contest at Tooradin.
Both of these teams have the ability to play finals this year; but a slow start to the season has left them a little behind the eight ball.
This one was a must-win for both teams and the contest was hot from the outset.
Ash Murphy (GA) was on fire for Kooweerup in the first quarter, scoring 12 of her team’s 14 goals as the visiting Demons took a one-goal lead to the first break.
Kate Sidebottom (C) was having a wonderful duel with Abbey Howes (C) through the midcourt, while Jayda McConkey (GS) created some valuable space to allow Murphy to go to work.
The Demons maintained their margin at half time, after both teams scored 15 in the second term, before extending their lead in the third.
Mikaela Stokkel (GK) and Talia Charalambides (GD) tightened things up in defence, while Claise Janssen (WA) and Chantelle Stokkel (WD) controlled the outer extremities.
Kooweerup scored 12 to 9 in the third quarter to take a four-goal lead into the final quarter.
But the Seagulls refused to lay down, with a reconfigured midcourt of Sara Howie (C), Howes (WA) and Stacey Sawyer (WD) beginning to gain an edge.
Alex Maher (GS) matched Murphy’s heroics from the first quarter, scoring 12 of 14 for the Seagulls to tie things up at the final buzzer.
The draw leaves the Seagulls in sixth place, while the Demons sit ninth and with plenty of work to do to play finals.
Cora Lynn has maintained its winning form; riding a super-fast start to a 53-32 victory over Garfield.
The Cobras shocked the Stars in the opening quarter, scoring 19 to 5 to open the game up quickly.
Brooke Abu-Jaber (GA) and Gemma Stacey (GS) scored 12 and seven goals respectively as the talented trio of Ellie Keen (C), Lexis Schade (WA) and Paige Brooks-MacMillan (WD) went to work through the midcourt.
The Stars limited the damage after quarter time – losing the remaining three quarters by only seven – but the damage had well-and-truly been done.
Ash Bowden (GD) and Georgia Coleman (GA) fought the game out for the Stars, while Nat Loogman (GS/GK) showed her versatility at either end of the court.
Inverloch-Kongwak is now a warm favourite to make it three premierships on the trot after the Sea Eagles won their top-of-the-table clash with Dalyston; 42-32.
The Sea Eagles were in a mean mood early, with Millie Sadler (GK) and Renee Pilkington (GD) allowing the Magpies just 13 goals in the opening half of netball.
Nine goals down at half time, the Magpies cut the margin to six at the final change but were outscored again in the final term.
Kelsey Buxton (C) was once again dynamic for the winners, while Mataya Maloney (WD) and Eva Garnham (WA) played well in the second half for the Magpies.
A free-scoring Nar Nar Goon has moved to fourth position on the ladder after a 64-38 win over Warragul Industrials.
The Dusties stuck with the Goon in the first half, but Mother’s Day became a bit more tiresome after half time as the Goon kicked into full gear.
The class of players like Meaghan Winter (WA), Darcy Utber (GA), Chantelle Dale (WD) and Olivia Hamilton (C) told out in the end, with the Goon scoring 38 to 18 in the second half.
In other games this week, Kilcunda-Bass was forced to work hard for its 37-30 win over Bunyip, while Korumburra-Bena scored a nail-biting 54-53 victory over Phillip Island.
The close loss is costly for the Doggies, who could have been sitting in sixth place after five rounds of the season.
The Bulldogs and Giants sit in seventh and eighth place respectively, just half-a-game outside the top six.
