THE two top-of-the-table clashes in this weekend’s A Grade netball action provided contrasting spectacles.
At Alan Garden Netball Centre, first-placed Swan Hill grappled with second-placed Woorinen in a scrappy, low-scoring game that was decided by only three goals.
Despite having to deal with slippery conditions because of Saturday’s persistent rainfall and a Tigers outfit eager to dethrone them, the Swans ended up extending their unbeaten run to nine matches, winning 23 to 20.
The low scoring output was not indicative of the high-intensity game that unfolded, however, with the Tigers hanging with the Swans at every step, even leading nine to eight at the main break.
Olivia Jones stepped up to fill the absence of league top-scorer Tayla Stanley as Tigers goal-shooter, but it was always going to be a tough day in front of goals according to Swan Hill coach Madeleine Nalder.
“It was probably a defenders’ game [Saturday], it was tough conditions for shooters to work in,” Nalder said.
“It was a tough game which resulted in a low-scoring game. The first quarter was three all, so that shows the conditions we were working with.”
Meanwhile, Tooleybuc Manangatang made the most of its home ground advantage to dominate Tyntynder from the outset of their third against fourth match-up.
In a far-cry from the fight-off at Alan Garden, the Saints easily accounted for the Bulldogs 70 to 37, reclaiming second position and sending their opponents back to fifth.
The games’ results allowed Kerang to re-enter the top-four fold, thanks to its 44 to 29 win over the Cohuna Kangas, and saw Woorinen drop to third for the moment.
It was a round that was emblematic of what Nalder described as the ever-fluctuating nature of the ladder.
“You can never say we’re looking strong because the thing is this year any team can beat anyone in the top seven on any given day,” she said.
“So in the second half of the year we’ve really got to make sure we put our best foot forward for every game.”
