Giants upset Demons
Southern Mallee Giants have established themselves as a serious Horsham District league finals threat after ousting an undefeated Laharum at the weekend.
Accuracy in goals has enabled the Giants to make inroads in the competition this year, but it was their defensive pressure that proved vital to overcoming the Demons on Saturday.
Laharum took a four-goal lead into half time, however the Giants levelled the scores by the final break and went on to dominate the last quarter.
Southern Mallee kept goalie Rebecca Mcintyre scoreless in the final term while restricting Caitlin Story to two goals.
Giants shooters Codie Robins and Annabel Stewart shared the spoils on the way to a 10-goal triumph.
Midcourter Madeline Stewart won best-on-court accolades for the Giants, while defendermidcourter Annie Noonan also impressed.
Noonan, a former Wimmera association Heather Hatcher medallist, has been a good pickup for the Giants, adding extra depth and versatility.
Story, 18 goals, was named Laharum’s best.
The Giants will be too strong for Jeparit-rainbow after this week’s bye but will relish opportunities to hone their skills ahead of finals when they meet fellow top-five sides Noradjuha-quantong and Harrow-balmoral.
Laharum is in a similar position and will look forward to a top-two clash against Natimuk United in round 14.
Harrow-balmoral has an easier run home and apart from the Southern Mallee challenge, will find its remaining games a walkover.
The Southern Roos recorded a clinical 40-goal win over Jeparit-rainbow at the weekend.
Harrow-balmoral defender Ebonie Salter and midcourter Rebecca Francis shone in the victory, while Rylee Cocks and Alexandra Schulz worked hard for the Storm.
Noradjuha-quantong was too strong for Pimpinio, defeating the Tigers by 20 goals.
Goalie Lucy Brand, 35 goals, and midcourter Georgia Francis were pivotal on Saturday and will need to maintain their form after the break, with the Bombers set to face four top-six sides in five weeks.
Pimpinio was best served by goalie Kelsey Hamilton, 11 goals, and centre Shae-lea Fisher.
Taylors Lake’s tough season continued against Natimuk United.
Ella Slorach and Sophie Heard had an impact for the Lakers but it was not enough to quell the Ewes, who won by 49 goals.
Wing attack Cheryl Sudholz was again the standout for Natimuk United, with support from Emily Hateley in centre and goals.
Kalkee celebrated its fourth win of the season in a close encounter with Swifts.
Kee Jaymi O’connor shot 27 goals in a best-on-court performance, with Grace Braithwaite impressing in centre.
Jade Cleary and Courtney Morrow combined well in attack to earn accolades for the Baggies.
Rupanyup put up a fight but ultimately fell short of Edenhope-apsley by seven goals. Defender Cynthia Watt starred for the Saints, while Sarah Weidemann provided plenty of defensive pressure for the Panthers.
District league will have a bye at the weekend, with teams to contest round 12 on July 22. Round-11 results: Harrow-balmoral d Jeparit-rainbow 62-22, Noradjuha-quantong d Pimpinio 59-39, Natimuk United d Taylors Lake 75-26, Southern Mallee Giants d Laharum 40-30, Kalkee d Swifts 55-43, Edenhope-apsley d Rupanyup 45-38. Ladder: Laharum 40 points, 187.34 percent; Natimuk United 40, 154.91; Harrowbalmoral 36, 191.59; Southern Mallee Giants 32, 147.16, Noradjuha-quantong 32, 122.75; Edenhope-apsley 24, 101.72; Kalkee 16, 79.44; Pimpinio 16, 77.80; Rupanyup 12, 80.26; Swifts 59.28; Jeparit-rainbow 4, 66.79; Taylors Lake 0, 48.90.