THE Mallee Eagles’ road to the finals has become a little bit harder after a seven-goal loss to Swan Hill.
There was only one goal separating the two sides by the end of the first quarter, but it was the interconnectedness and experience of the Swans’ side that won the battle over the Eagles.
“We felt we played a consistent four quarters and each player played their role in their position,” Swans playing coach Madeleine Nalder said.
Karli McIntyre was among the Swans’ best for the match, working hard defensively while being able to transition into attack.
Wing attack Kelly Bonney also had her first full game back on the court since injury, adding another layer of depth to the Swans’ midcourt.
The loss pushed the Eagles down to fifth position on the ladder, only percentage keeping them inside the five. Swan Hill sit comfortably in third place.
FINAL WHISTLE:
Swan Hill 59
Mallee Eagles 52
Demons upset the Blues
NYAH-Nyah West United stunned spectators by taking home a five-goal win against Kerang on Saturday.
While both teams went into the game with their coaches sidelined by injuries, the Demons and the Blues were super-competitive throughout, with not much separating the two sides until the final quarter.
The Demons’ defence end led the charge, with Taylen Blachford, Aleesha Flanagan and Lucy Millard playing dominant games to restrict the Blues’ attack end.
Blues coach Chloe Adams said while there were positives to take away from the game, they could ill-afford the loss at the pointy end of the season.
“We had some good passages, but lacked intensity and couldn’t build or sustain momentum,” Adams said.
“We struggled to penetrate in the second phase of attack, and unfortunately our decision-making and execution let us down.”
FINAL WHISTLE:
Kerang 32
NNW United 37
Tyntynder attack fires
TYNTYNDER found themselves back on the winners’ list after comfortably beating Koondrook-Barham by 39 goals.
While the River Raiders were able to keep with the Dogs in the first quarter, going into the first break only five goals behind, the Dogs kept the Raiders to just six goals in the second quarter while scoring 20. Their lead continued to grow in the second half.
The Dogs’ shooting duo, Kimberley Calvert and Kelsey Rowe, were among the best on the court. The pair, whose connection has been growing throughout the season, were able to smoothly get the ball into the ring, as well as being very accurate finding the goal ring.
Tyntynder will be looking to keep up that pace when they host ladder leaders Lake Boga in round 15, while the Raiders will have a big task ahead of them when they travel to Balranald to take on the reigning premiers.
FINAL WHISTLE:
Koondrook-Barham 34
Tyntynder 73
