By David Nagel
The simmering season of Kooweerup is starting to bubble along nicely after the Demons made it three straight wins with an impressive 35-32 victory over Cora Lynn.
The Demons lost three of their first four games, but now haven’t been defeated since that point in the season in subsequent contests against Tooradin-Dalmore (51-51), Phillip Island (50-41), Warragul Industrials (61-36) and now the Cobras.
The Cobras started better on the weekend, opening up a 10-8 lead at quarter time with Lexis Schade (C), Ellie Keen (WA) and Paige-Brooks MacMillan (WD) providing dynamite performances through the midcourt.
But Kooweerup responded well, with Mikaela Stokkel (GK) and Talia Charalambides (GD) keeping the Cobras to just five goals in the second quarter.
Both teams played their best netball in the third term, with the Demons taking a 28-27 lead into the final quarter.
In a low-scoring game, the steady hand of Jayda McConkey (GS) made the difference in the end as the Demons inflicted a second loss for the Cobras after a five-game winning streak.
Kate Sidebottom and her seventh-placed Demons now face a massive away trip to Korumburra-Bena this week; in a game that could decide which one of these two play finals.
The close finishes didn’t end there on Saturday, with Nar Nar Goon and Kilcunda-Bass fighting out a thrilling 48-48 draw at Spencer Street.
Scores were locked at quarter time as well, but the Panthers appeared to gain the edge after scoring 26 to 22 through the second and third quarters.
The Goon needed something special in the final term to turn things around; and it came from Darcy Utber (GS) who scored 14 goals in the last quarter to lead her team to a draw.
Olivia Hamilton (C) and Chantelle Dale (WD) were also influential for the Goon Girls…who once again had their supporters biting their nails and sitting on the edge of their seats!
The class of Kacey Maund (C) and Jemma Osborne (GS) had the Panthers in a winning position until the Goon launched its last-quarter fightback.
Korumburra-Bena is celebrating back-to-back wins for the first time this season after a thrilling 56-55 win over a fast-finishing Garfield.
The smart play of Gemma Dixon (GD), Alice Reid (WD) and Elisha Nicholas (GA) had the Giants looking good at three-quarter time, but their 43-38 lead quickly eroded.
Donna Marsh had her team rolling nicely in the final term; but despite the efforts of Tyla Redwood (GS), Jemima Sheedy (WD) and Nat Loogman (GK), the Stars fell one-goal short of getting a result from the match.
Bunyip finally has something to cheer about in 2024 after the Bulldogs prevailed in the bottom-of-the-table match against Warragul Industrials.
This one was a stirring battle throughout the afternoon, with Bunyip winning all four quarters by three goals or less on its way to a 37-27 triumph.
Aimee Wright (WA), Ally Johnson (C), Nat Dijkstra (WD), Keely Wright (GK) and Fiona Burns (GD) all finally got rewarded for their huge efforts this year.
The Dusties were brave, but Brooke Weatherhead (C), Holly Cheyne (WA) and Steph Warburton (WD) will have to wait for another day to chalk up their first win.
Inverloch-Kongwak continues to repel all challengers, this time scoring a 45-30 victory over its grand final opponent from last year in Tooradin-Dalmore.
The Sea Eagles built their win early, leading 12-6 at quarter time and building that to a commanding 25-13 lead at half time.
Tooradin-Dalmore responded well in the third quarter – winning it 12-11 – before normal services resumed in the final term.
Kelsey Buxton (C), Ella Sadler (GA), Kate French (WD) and Millie Sadler (GK) were outstanding contributors for the undefeated Eagles, while Jess Maher gave Tooradin a lift when moving from Goal Keeper to Centre in the third quarter.
And Dalyston has climbed two spots, to fourth place on the ladder, after a 59-46 win over Phillip Island.
The Magpies were on from the first whistle, with Britt Thomas (WA), Olivia Bramley (GD) and Bella Schmidt (GA) all in red-hot form as the home side led 17-9 at quarter time.
Phillip Island players such as Lily Mewett (GS) and Ella Duggan (GA) were good from that point forward; but the damage had been done.
