By: Joseph Arthur
Bendigo Bank proudly presents the Round 11 Netball EFL Wrap…
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Premier Division
Wantirna South’s dynamic duo of Woodgate (31 goals) and Halstead (19 goals) were too good for South Croydon Red. Wantirna South extended its unbeaten record by winning 50 – 29 in a match it never looked like losing. The Devils will remain atop the table, now sitting at 10 and zero on the year with an unbeaten season looking like a real possibility.
Blackburn Red fell just short of its first win of the year, losing to Boronia in heartbreaking fashion and making it 10 losses in a row. Blackburn had a one-goal lead at the final break but couldn’t hold on in the fourth term, losing by three goals as the Hawks narrowly came out on top. Mills had 20 goals for Boronia and Shaw top-scored for Blackburn Red with 14.
The highly-anticipated clash between second and third on the ladder didn’t disappoint, with only one goal separating the two sides at the end of the match. After leading for most of the day it was the Heathmont Jets just holding on to victory as East Burwood Black failed to steal the win. Heathmont shared the scoring load around with Black scoring 17, backed up by 12 each from both Abbruzzese and Goulding. Both Williams and Mulqueen had 20 for East Burwood but it wasn’t enough as the Jets secured a 41 – 40 win.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 1
Knox will remain on top of the Division 1 ladder after defeating Montrose in a tight match with plenty of lead changes early. The top side was just too good in the final quarter, running out eventual winners 38 – 30 behind 22 from Teunissen. Ellwood had 17 for the Demons but the upset wasn’t to be.
Third-placed Kilsyth had a huge win against fourth-placed Coldstream Grey, the Cougars easily defeated Coldstream 31 – 17 with 14 goals from Lennie and 12 for Hansen. The Cougars’ defence was as good as ever and Coldstream failed to get anything going in attack, Collette had 15 of the 17 for Coldstream.
Ferntree Gully easily defeated Park Orchards White 31 – 19 as McNamara nearly outscored Park Orchards on her own with 17 goals. Panza scored 12 for Park Orchards as her side continues to struggle, with only one win on the year.
Bottom of the table North Ringwood Black were convincingly beat by the Scoresby Swoopers and will remain last on the ladder. Williams had a massive game for the Swoopers scoring 40 goals and Scoresby will retain second place on the ladder heading into Round 12 next week.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 2
It was top of the ladder versus bottom, 10 wins versus zero and unsurprisingly the Croydon Blues took out the win 42 – 20 against Ferntree Gully yellow, keeping Gully winless on the season. Abbott outscored Ferntree Gully on her own with 34 goals for Croydon and Pearson scored 14 goals for Ferntree Gully Yellow.
Whitehorse Maroon began the Round 1 game behind The Basin Red, but after a five-goal win, Whitehorse finished the round ahead of The Basin on percentage. The win keeps Whitehorse’s finals chances alive and puts The Basin Red down to eighth on the ladder. Bonnett scored 23 goals and the final score was 28 – 23.
Park Orchards Red took it to second placed North Ringwood White with the two sides all tied up at halftime with 14 each. North Ringwood White was too good in the second half and ran away six-point winners – the final score was 30 – 24. Snary had 15 goals, top-scoring for North Ringwood and O’Hare scored 14 to lead Park Orchards.
Mulgrave Red avoided an upset against a lowly Blackburn Black, winning 33 – 31 to keep equal second on the table with 36 points overall. Hoskin top-scored across all players with 32 of Mulgrave’s 33 and Fan top scored for Blackburn with 22. Going into Round 12 Mulgrave Red is fourth on the ladder, separated from second and third by percentage.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 3
Croydon North-MLOC came out on top of the top-of-the-table clash against Glen Waverley Blue, narrowly winning by three goals, 35 – 32. Croydon North-MLOC managed to stave off a late comeback from Glen Waverley, who left it a little too little too late. Rondinella of Glen Waverley led all scorers with 27 goals and Saunders scored 21 for the winners. Croydon-North MLOC is on top of the Division 2 ladder and Glen Waverley has fallen to third.
In a round of close matches none were closer than East Burwood Grey’s one-goal victory over the Vermont Eagles. The match was tied at the end of the second and third terms before East Burwood managed to eke out a 25 – 24 victory thanks to 19 goals from Hanmond.
In a low-scoring affair, the Chirnside Panthers upset the Ferntree Gully Eagles, 24 – 21. The Panthers were down by one goal at the final break but were able to come back and win behind 15 goals from Cornish. 11 goals from Graffen wasn’t enough for Ferntree Gully and Chirnside now have a chance to play finals if they can build off this performance and keep its momentum going.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 4
Park Orchards Black suffered a loss to a plucky Knox Red. The upset marked Knox’s third win of the year in a match where Tilley scored 23. Park Orchards fell behind early in the second half and were never able to recover, the final score was 35 – 31 in favour of Knox.
In another close affair, Coldstream White retained third position on the ladder, defeating the Scoresby Soarers, 40 – 35. Billingham was red-hot for Coldstream (22) and her partner in crime Jakobs was handy too (18). Hastings of the Soarers led all scorers with 26 and played well in a high scoring match despite her side’s loss.
Montrose was too strong for Mitcham Yellow in a 13-goal win. Montrose has taken Mitcham’s fifth place on the ladder after the win and is gearing up for continued good form and a finals berth. Caldow scored 22 of Montrose’s 34 whilst Fairbairn had 13 for Mitcham, final score was 34 – 21.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 5
The Forest Hill Zebras got a much-needed win over Heathmont Yellow by the narrowest of margins. After being down by two goals at the end of the third, Forest Hill managed to rally in the fourth and steal a one-point win. Lee had 22 goals for the victors and Browne 17 for Heathmont Yellow, the final score was 27 – 26.
Nunawading suffered its first loss of the season, going down to Norwood by eight goals. McCoy scored 20 for the winning Woodettes whilst Van Zuyden (13) and Kolevich (10) could never get it going for the top-of-the-table Lions. The final score of the season’s biggest upset was 31 – 23 in favour of Norwood.
In a tough week for the top tier of the division, second-placed Ringwood Black suffered its second loss of the season as Mitcham Black held on to a two-goal win. Thanks to 11 goals from Repalust in what was a tough game for all scorers across both sides, Mitcham was able to boost its finals chances with the win. The final score was 18 – 16.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 6
Glen Waverley Hawks Yellow bested the Montrose Hawks 35 – 32 after coming back from a one-goal deficit at the end of the third. Fahey led all scorers with 27 for Montrose but Glen Waverley sharing the scoring load proved to be the better tactic as Jeffries had 19 and both Newey and Mazzarella scored eight each.
Meanwhile Knox White was too strong for Ferntree Gully Blue, breaking the game open in the fourth after a close first three terms. Sutherland had 28 goals for Knox while Mollison had 23 for Gully as the match ended 33 – 27.
2019 Bendigo Bank Netball EFL Division 7
It was first versus second this week in Division 7 and Lilydale Yellow came out on top over Glen Waverley Black by only two goals after nearly dropping a nine-goal lead at the start of the fourth. Glen Waverley outscored Lilydale eight goals to one in the last term but the dramatic comeback wasn’t to be. Young scored 17 for the victors and Walker had 15 for Glen Waverley, final score was 21 – 19. Lilydale is now one game clear of Glen Waverley on top of the ladder.
Norwood White bested Ferntree Gully White 35 – 30 thanks to 21 from Conway and Coldstream Red defeated The Basin Bears 28 – 18, Duke had 11 goals for Coldstream.