Netball
1 July, 2024
Eagles soar to second win of the season in a thriller
The Warrack Eagles A-grade netballers soared to their second win of the season with a two-point thriller over the Southern Mallee Thunder at Anzac Park in round ten of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
In wet conditions, teams played solid defence, and the Southern Mallee Thunder led eight goals to five at quarter-time.
Both teams scored ten goals in the second quarter, with the lead remaining the same three-point margin at half-time.
The Eagles started to get on top, creating turnovers in the third quarter to take a one-goal lead into the final break.
The start of the last quarter was goal-for-goal until the Eagles' pressure led to a few turnovers, where they capitalised, pulling out to a four-goal lead thanks to Amber O'Connor shooting brilliantly under pressure.
The Thunder came roaring back in the final few minutes to get within a goal, but the Eagles slowed the game down and took control. Amber O'Connor scored a goal in the final ten seconds to give the Eagles a two-goal win.
O'Connor led the way with 24 goals, with Lauren Clyne shooting 15 and Sarah Marchment chipping in with two in the first quarter. Charlie Inkster was sensational at goal defence.
For the Thunder, Steph Thomson scored 25 goals, with Rylee Cocks and Caitlin Douglass excellent in the centre and defence, respectively.
Eagles coach Leiah McKenzie said it was a physical game.
"We knew coming into the match that it would be a nice, physical game of netball, and that's how it played out, and unfortunately, we couldn't hit the scoreboard as well as we would have liked in the first half," McKenzie said.
"We spoke about how important the third quarter was and worked hard, knowing the game could slip away. We spoke about the need to stay level-headed, let the plays speak for us, and let our performance do the talking."
"We needed to stay composed and score when we had the ball in the ring. We knew coming out after half-time that the third quarter was important to dominate and not let the lead get away from us, and we battled away, got the game in our favour, and started to get a run on."
"When the opposition got a run on, we needed to take possession, slow the ball down and keep possession, and we had nice composure."
"I was pleased the girls were able to do that, and all seven girls on the court applied the pressure and played to the standard we wanted to play, and we managed to get the win."
The Eagles faltered in the wet weather against Minyip Murtoa at home in round four, but they applied what they learned from that match to this game.
"We were a bit nervous playing on the wet courts, but we had spoken about what we needed to do to play well in the wet," McKenzie said.
"We spoke about simple things like slowing the game down, passing short, and using our fitness to run these games out as it involves a lot more running, and it is pleasing that we were able to do that and come away with the win."
Amber O'Connor was a standout goal shooter in the last quarter, not missing a shot on goal, and McKenzie highlighted her performance.
"We have been waiting for it all year as she has some great potential, and she dominated, which will give her a huge confidence boost," McKenzie said.
"She is becoming a leader in that ring, and it was an unbelievable performance in the last half, and she took control of the ball. It was awesome to watch."
"Our girls in defence worked well to do the deflections and one percenters, which helped push the momentum in our favour. They worked hard to get those opportunities to get the ball to the girls in the goal ring."
"It was an awesome performance by the ring defenders in Jordan Heller and Charlie Inkster as younger players against more experienced players."
"They are still figuring out the intensity of A-grade netball, and they are improving every week."