Roos bounce back to finish with a win

ANAKIE coach Jady Brkic was thrilled her side could finish a tough season on a high with a strong win over Bell Post Hill on Saturday.

After leading by a goal at the first change, the Roos turned up the pressure during the next two quarters, leading by seven goals at threequarter time before putting their foot down in the last term and running away with a 52-37 win.

Shooter Nikki Slaven led the way for the Roos, ending with a matchwinning 48 goals while Abby Croft top-scored for the Panthers with 22.

“It was a great win, there were so many games I felt we should have won this year,” Brkic said post-match.

“The girls’ spirits have been pretty low for the last few games, but as a coach, too, I’m so happy for them that they got the job done today.”

Brkic said her side was “at full strength for the first time in a while”, after injuries and unavailabiliy of players gripped the side.

“We lost against Bell Post last time, so we were very nervous heading into this game,” Brkic said.

“But I knew the girls could do it despite not training on Thursday (because of the weather). We knew we had to be switched on from the start and the girls were.”

The coach was adamant there was reason for her side to be excited for next season.

“If the girls stick together, which I think they will, we will have a much better chance to win a lot more games next year,” she said.

Brkic acknowledged Slaven for her “incredible shooting percentage”, also Bridget Byrnes and Clare Sutton for their defensive work.

Centrals came out strong early, leading for the entire game as Eleanor Tubbs (26) and Jacinta Savory (21) did the job in attack.

Georgia Duncan was a powerhouse for Bannockburn through the centre. Shannon Pietsch was a strong target in Bannockburn’s goal ring shooting 13 goals, while Werribee’s attack were unstoppable.

Amanda Wilson, Gemma Grimmond, Paras MacKenzie and Nicole Stewart were excellent in Werribee’s defensive end.

East played four consistent quarters, increasing its lead each quarter.

Emily Rankin and Meg Cartwright gave away height in goals but this didn’t stop them from dominating for the Eagles, with an endless supply of the ball being delivered by Nikki Everist and Aimee Smith centre.

Nic O’Brien once again was dominant in goal defence for East, picking of many intercepts and taking the ball down to attack.

THE lead changed numerous times, with scores level at the last break, setting the scene for an exciting last quarter. Hawks goalshooter Vanessa Finley-McDonald was among the best on court, finishing the season on a positive note with 42 goals, despite her side going down by three goals.

IN a tight first quarter, Ange Mawson and Meg Royal steadied attack early for Winchelsea and their patience into goalers Eliza Cole and Kendall Carracher helped Winch take a one-goal lead at the first break.

The Lions found their feet and took control of the game in the second quarter.

Belmont’s Grace Chow was, as always, consistent at wing defence, helping to shut down Winchelsea’s drive through the attacking end and, along with Courtney Leith, piled on the pressure on.

The Lions took a five-goal lead at the main break before ramping up speed and intensity and extending that to 18 at three-quarter time.

Defensively for Winch, Sara Groves attacked the game and worked well with Meg Royal to put pressure on the Belmont feeders. Tori Hose finished the season on a high, trusting her footwork and body positioning.

Thomson’s goaler Errin Lang was superb in the ring, providing many opportunities for scoring and was extremely accurate.

First quarter was strong over the entire court with Thomson taking a 13-9 lead. Ashlee Roach worked tirelessly in North’s attack, providing Shae Rowbottom with goaling opportunities.

The second quarter was just as strong as the first, with consistent netball allowing Thomson to go into half time 26-18.

The third quarter was where Thomson added another level of intensity to the game.

Jess Lowe, in wing attack, was strong in her defensive game for Thomson, picking off a few intercepts and working the ball to the ring to feed the goalers with confidence.