IN an upset win, the Mallee Eagles were too good for ladder leaders Swan Hill in round 12.
It was a tight tussle throughout the match, with both teams within six goals of each other until the last quarter.
The Eagles were down by six at half-time, before a big 25 goal third quarter allowed them to get four goals up.
The Eagles kept up the pace in the final quarter to get their seven-goal win.
Eagles shooters Kellie Walker and Emelia Bett were dynamic in the ring against tough opponents Madeleine Nalder and Mollie Quinn. Walker and Bett were beautifully fed in the ring by Sonya Lorenzo and Alicia Harvey, creating some great passages of play.
“The intensity from everyone for the four quarters made it a great team effort,” Mallee Eagles coach Vicki McDonald said.
At the other end of the court, Swan Hill goal attack Arlee Bennett held her own against the pressure of defending duo Claire and Meg Allen. Bennett worked alongside wing attack Kelsey McCoy, who continues to be a constant reliable player.
Playing coach Madeleine Nalder said it was a tough game for her team.
“We were able to stay with them for the majority of the game, but in the end they were too good,” Nalder said.
Swan Hill will have a bye this week, while the Mallee Eagles host Nyah-Nyah West United in Lalbert for what should be an easy win for the dominant Eagles.
Tooleybuc-Manangatang in firm control
TOOLEYBUC-Manangatang proved too good for Tyntynder on Saturday.
The Saints controlled their home court from the start, leading by three goals at the first break before stretching their lead to six by half-time.
The Dogs continued to lack the intensity they needed in the second half to try and claw their way back, trailing by nine goals at three-quarter time before going down by 15 goals.
For the Saints Carlee Hazlett was leading the attack end, remaining strong and composed against Dogs defender Maddy Gleeson. At the other end of the court, Saints defender Taylen Blachford was particularly strong in the second half, dominating rebounds and assisting in bringing the ball down the court.
“We put together four consistent quarters, making the most of opportunities when they arose,” Saints coach Melanie Wait said.
Final whistle
Tooleybuc-Manangatang 53
Tyntynder 38
Lake Boga show superiority
PRODUCING one of the highest scores of the season, Lake Boga dominated the struggling Koondrook-Barham Raiders.
While dominating from the start, the Pies held the Raiders back to just five goals compared to their 18 in the last quarter, cementing their 49-goal win and improving their percentage.
The Pies’ Taigan O’Shaannassy had a standout performance in wing attack, a position she has barely played in this season. Jemma Meehan, Sarah Hepburn and Emma Peacock also all did an enormous amount of work for the Pies, winning turnovers and converting strongly.
Pies playing coach Anna Archie said the Raiders shouldn’t be too discouraged in how the game turned out.
“No matter what the scoreline was, if Koondrook-Barham have a couple of more years with this side, they are going to be a title contender,” Archie said.
“They have some beautiful youth coming through.”
Final whistle
Lake Boga 79
Koondrook-Barham 30
Balranald keep tight rein
IN the battle of the Kangaroos, the Roos have had a convincing win over the Kangas.
Balranald were in control of the game from the beginning, up six goals at the first break and extending the margin to 12 goals by half-time.
Despite their best efforts, the Kangas couldn’t seem to find their rhythm to gain any ground on the Roos, falling behind by 11 goals at the end of the third quarter.
Balranald, sitting in second place, will get to have a bye this week before taking on Tooleybuc-Manangatang in round 14, while eighth-placed Cohuna will meet Tooleybuc-Manangatang in what should be a pretty evenly matched game.
Final whistle
Balranald 54
Cohuna 32
