By Christopher Kourtis.
Another great round of 2023 Bendigo Bank Netball season. Only three weeks to go until finals and the division ladders are really starting to take shape. Take a look at how the teams faired last weekend.
Division One
Lilydale Falcons (60) tied with East Burwood Rams (60)
Vermont Eagles Gold (51) lost to East Burwood Black (65)
East Ringwood Black (54) lost to Croydon (55)
FTG Eagles Blue (70) def. Coldstream Grey (30)
It was a round that had big ramifications at the top end of the ladder as Division One starts to truly take shape.
A top of the table clash between Croydon and East Ringwood Black lived up to the hype. Croydon held on to win by a single goal, fending off a late charge from the hosts who won the final quarter 16-8. Ellarnah Hanlen (24) and Emma Hayes (29) combined for 53 points, proving that, even against the division’s best defence, Croydon’s attack can and will stand tall.
East Burwood Black carried out a routine win against Vermont Eagles Gold. This now sees a clear gap at the top of the ladder, with the gap between third and fourth sitting at 20 points, whilst the Top 3 teams are separated by just two points.
At the bottom end of the table, FTG Eagles Blue closed the gap between them and Coldstream Grey, recording the biggest margin (40) since East Ringwood Black defeated East Burwood Rams by 41 points in Round 9.
Elsewhere in Division One, Lilydale vs. East Burwood Rams resulted in a tie, with both teams inseparable at both half time and full time.
Division Two
East Ringwood Blue (40) def. Vermont Eagles Yellow (20)
Bayswater Gold (37) lost to Knox Falcons (39)
Kilsyth Cougars (25) lost to Croydon North MLOC (26)
Coldstream Black (37) def. Oakleigh District White (31)
Blackburn Black (44) def. Heathmont Jets (38)
Division Two hosted a top of the table clash as well, with Coldstream Black beating Oakleigh District White. Coldstream Black boasts the division’s best defence and for good reason, holding the division’s best offence to 31 points. This allowed Coldstream to emerge victorious, taking a hold of first place.
Bottom side Bayswater Gold were able to mount a valiant effort against fourth place Knox Falcons but fell just short, losing by two goals. Both sides dropped down from Division One last week.
Kilsyth Cougars played out a nailbiter with Croydon North MLOC too. The visitors came away one goal to the good, further distancing themselves from the bottom end of the table.
Division Three
Lilydale Gold (41) def. Boronia Gold (32)
Chirnside Park Panthers Yellow (27) lost to Vermont Eagles White (43)
Vermont Eagles Violet (26) lost to Montrose Demons (30)
Heathmont Yellow (37) def. The Basin Kodiaks (29)
The Basin Cubs (41) def. Nunawading Lions Gold (24)
East Burwood Grey (17) lost to Heathmont White (36)
Division Three also had a great game between two top teams. The Basin Cubs and Nunawading Lions Gold both entered the game with a 9-3 record, but it was the Cubs that proved to be the better side.
The Basin Kodiaks and Vermont Eagles Violet were the two teams that dropped down from Division Two, however both sides didn’t adjust well, picking up losses in each of their games.
Division Four
Oakleigh District Black (59) def. Kilsyth Cougars Red (25)
Montrose Flames (28) lost to Vermont Eagles Purple (29)
Park Orchards Black (40) lost to Kilsyth Cougars Black (41)
Silvan Cats (31) lost to UFTG Red (41)
East Ringwood Teal (33) def. FTG Eagles White (24)
It was (in most cases) a closely fought round in Division Four. Park Orchards Black and Kilsyth Cougars Black could only be separated by a single goal. Montrose Flames vs. Vermont Eagles Purple saw the same situation unfold, with Vermont securing first place off the back of an impressive performance from Kellie Phillips, scoring 23 of her team’s 29 points.
Meanwhile, Oakleigh District Black played their first match in Division Four, winning by 34 points.
Division Five:
Balwyn Tigers (28) lost to Vermont Eagles Lilac (32)
Coldstream White (46) def. Boronia Hawks (30)
Silvan Cats Blue (39) def. Chirnside Park Panthers Grey (32)
Whitehorse Pioneers (26) def. Park Orchards Red (24)
South Croydon Blue (27) def. East Burwood Silver (19)
After dropping down from Division Four, Whitehorse Pioneers (currently placed 9th) managed to upset a fourth place Park Orchards Red side in a closely fought contest.
At the bottom end of the table, East Burwood Silver continue their search for a point after falling to South Croydon Blue.
Division Six:
GWH Yellow (41) def. Bayswater Black (25)
Ringwood White (33) def. UFTG Blue (29)
Knox Black (18) lost to Park Orchards White (23)
Chirnside Park Panthers (42) def. East Ringwood White (41)
Waverley Blues White (36) def. Vermont Eagles Black (29)
In Division Six, Chirnside Park Panthers were able to put more ground between them and East Ringwood White, winning by a single goal. The gap between the two sides in second and third now sits at twelve points.
Division Seven:
Ringwood Black (21) lost to Oakleigh District Grey (56)
Heathmont Blue (20) lost to Montrose Thunder (37)
FTG Eagles Yellow (12) lost to Waverley Blues Red (43)
Montrose Devils (25) lost to Coldstream Blue (43)
Norwood Purple (36) def. Kilsyth Cougars White (25)
Division Eight:
Ringwood Red (21) lost to Norwood Black (38)
The Basin Grizzlies (14) lost to Nunawading Lions Black (16)
Montrose Storm (36) def. Croydon North MLOC Blue (15)
Waverley Blues Blue (23) tied with South Belgrave Saints (23)
Division Nine:
Coldstream Green (10) lost to Norwood Gold (23)
Nunawading Lions Maroon (28) def. Montrose Raptors (22)
Bayswater Green (20) lost to Montrose Heat (40)
East Burwood White (9) lost to Chirnside Park Panthers Black (26)