By David Nagel
It had the potential to separate the ‘haves’ from the ‘have nots’ in WGFNC A Grade netball; but round 12 has instead tightened things up in the middle reaches of the ladder.
A magnificent win by Korumburra-Bena over Dalyston, and a surprise victory for Bunyip over Nar Nar Goon, has made the battle for finals places a hell of a lot more intriguing.
And how’s this for a round-13 line up; one that will add further interest as we look to find a serious challenger for runaway ladder leaders Inverloch-Kongwak.
Kilcunda-Bass (2) host Tooradin-Dalmore (3) and Dalyston (4) host Nar Nar Goon (5), while the match-up between Cora Lynn (6) and Korumburra-Bena (8) could basically decide which of the two plays finals netball this year.
It’s a fascinating prospect after this week’s league-wide bye; but first let’s take a look at what happened on the weekend.
The game between Korumburra-Bena and Dalyston appeared to be going to script, before the Giants produced a sensational 16-9 third quarter to help secure a 44-41 victory.
Dalyston held a one-goal lead at quarter time, before the class of Ruby Brosnan (C), Gemma Thomas (GK), Olivia Bramley (GD) and Jarney Thomas (GA) saw the Magpies extend their lead to 23-19 at half time.
But the Giants came out firing in the third quarter, with Elisha Nicholas (GA) and Mackenna Whiteside (GS) flipping the script with some brilliantly attacking netball.
The Giants led by three at the final change, and maintained that margin to the finish with Felicity Fox (C), Ash Cuff (WA) and Alice Reid (WD) controlling the tempo through the midcourt.
The Giants are now just a game outside the top six; with sixth-placed Cora Lynn to come.
Dalyston, while disappointed with its loss to the Giants, will host a massively disappointed Nar Nar Goon in round 13, after the Goon lost 37-31 to tenth-placed Bunyip.
The Goon has now won just one of its last five games and, all of a sudden, needs to tread wearily or it could miss out on finals.
Bunyip, meanwhile, has now won three of its last five games with back-to-back wins over Phillip Island and the Goon showing their best is very competitive.
Players like Aimee Wright, Ally Johnson, Fiona Burns and Brooke Cleeland are playing some pretty impressive netball, with a visit from Garfield in round 13 providing the opportunity to make it three-straight wins.
Cora Lynn finds itself back in the top six after a 40-33 win over Garfield.
The Cobras looked set for an easy day at the office, leading by six at quarter time and increasing that to 10; half way through the contest.
But the Stars made the Cobras pay for a clear drop in intensity, with a 10-5 third term making it just five goals the difference at the final break.
The midcourt play of Lexis Schade, Ellie Keen and Danielle Cameron steadied the ship in the final term for the Cobras, while the steady hand of Brooke Abu-Jaber made sure the Cobs racked up their seventh win for the season.
Georgia Coleman (GA) and Kim Dowson (C) led the third-quarter revival for the Stars.
In other games this week, Kooweerup kept Inverloch-Kongwak to its lowest winning margin for the season, losing 40-45 at Kooweerup, while Kilcunda-Bass received a nice percentage boost with a 65-37 win over Phillip Island.
And Tooradin-Dalmore has continued its great run of form with a 59-37 win over Warragul Industrials.
The Seagulls have now lost just one game since round two to surge to third place on the ladder.
The Gulls were electrifying before half time; leading 34-13, before the Dusties shook things up with a 16-8 third term.
Abbey Howes, Alex Maher and Ebony Dolan, all rested in the third quarter, returned to the court in the final term and played pivotal roles in a 17-8 final stanza.
Enjoy the week’s rest everyone and we’ll see you back in action for round 13 on Saturday 13 July.
