Netball
22 April, 2024
Saints start defence with comprehensive win
The Horsham Saints netballers have started their premiership defence off with a massive 45-point win over Stawell at Coughlin Park in round one of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
The Saints stormed to an early 17-point lead in a blistering first quarter and extended that margin throughout the game to run out 84-39 goal-winners.
Jorja Clode started the way she finished the season with 69 goals whilst Ayva Mitchell led the way for Stawell with 23. Meg Walker was solid for Stawell as a defender whilst Maddison Bethune impressed down back.
Saints coach Jess Cannane spoke highly of the teenager ahead of the season.
"We thought she would improve in leaps and bounds with having a bigger part in the A Grade side and she certainly showed she is going to be one of the improvers and best young players in the league," Cannane said.
"She also took out best on court in the U17s so she has had a great start to the season and playing in the representative sides during summer helped as she was able to hone her craft as a key defender."
Cannane was happy with how things went for the Saints.
"There were a bit of cobwebs and it was frantic early but we got back into the groove quick," Cannane said.
"We probably weren't as polished as we could have been but that will come with time. We need to be patient and just work on our connection on the court and keep playing as a team."
Cannane said the return of Elly Barnett and Shannon Cross has been huge.
"Their experience shone through and they got better and better as the game went on. It is good to have them back in the team."
Nhill comes out of the gates firing.
At Minyip Recreation Reserve, Nhill had a solid 17-goal win over Minyip Murtoa.
Nhill took a six-goal lead into quarter time and extended that to ten at half time and held on to win 53-36.
Courtney Hillier and Claudia McRae were excellent up forward for the Tigers with Ruby James scoring a game-high 33 goals.
For the Burras, Kirby Knight led the way with 28 with Johanna and Claudia Griffiths also solid in attack and defense respectively.
Tigers coach Tracey Bell said it was a great team performance.
"The big takeaway for me was we played an awesome team game and that is what we are working towards," Bell said.
"Everyone is complimenting each other and everyone is doing their job and that is what we are aiming for."
Bell did point out Ellen Bennett, Courtney Hillier and Larnie Hobbs as having solid games.
"Ellen is going to be a standout most weeks for us. She is a consistent performer," Bell said.
"Hiller's speed and footwork yesterday was amazing. She provided lots of drive throughout the attack and was patient feeding the ball into the goal ring.
"Hobbs did a great job on Kirby Knight. Kirby has a strong physical presence on court and she didn't allow Kirby to have the scoring opportunities she would liked to have."
"I told the girls after the game that everyone played well that anyone could have been our best and received an award and that I am pleased that they have stepped up and are playing to what we are working on."
Demons open season with a comfortable win.
The Demons have started their season well with an impressive 25-goal win over Ararat at Alexandra Oval.
They got to an early six-goal lead and held on in the second when Ararat came storming at them to keep that same lead at half time.
It was the second half they got on top, scoring 30 goals to 11 as they ran out 59-34 winners.
Tahlia Thompson and Georgie Carberry were the best for the Demons whilst Bella Westbrook and Natasha Noble were strong for the Rats.