Giants looking for a second win
Southern Mallee Giants will look for a second victory in as many weeks when they front up against Horsham Saints on Saturday.
The Giants enjoyed their first win since joining Wimmera Netball Association at the start of the season in a close encounter with Stawell.
Former Australian representative netballer Janelle Lawson has proved to be a more-thanhandy pick-up for the Giants. She slotted 55 goals in a best-on-court performance during her side’s seven-goal win over the Warriors, 66-59.
Stawell led throughout the first half, taking a nine-goal lead into half time.
The Giants made a few changes in the midcourt, which helped the side claw back the deficit and take a two-goal lead into the final break.
Lawson’s shooting partner Codie Maree Robins also impressed, while midcourters Tarnee Orr and Jade Cross battled hard for Stawell.
The Warriors are in for a tough week, with a match against ladder leader Warrack Eagles pencilled in.
The Giants will look to continue their good form against the Saints, who fell just short of Dimboola in the closest match of the round.
The Roos got the jump in the first quarter, leading 21-14 at the first break.
The Saints kept battling for the next three quarters to try to make up the deficit but were unable to get over the line, going down by two goals.
The Saints were short two goalies in Maggie Caris and Lavinia Fox, but Abby Hallam has been acquitting herself well at her new club.
She shot 40 goals to be named best, alongside fellow shooter Tara Jasper, who finished with 18.
The Roos – who were also best served by goalies in Nicole Polycarpou, 39, and Billie Barber, 21 – would have been thrilled to chalk up their second win for the season, against the reigning premiers, no less.
Dimboola will meet a Nhill outfit coming off a tough 33-goal loss to Horsham. Both will consider this encounter a winnable one.
The undermanned Tigers pushed Horsham more than the scoreboard suggested. Gorgia Sealey was solid through the centre, while Sarah Dickinson and Britt Keller put in strong performances at either end.
Buwalda key
Nhill will look for another strong performance against Dimboola at home this week and will hope to claim the four points.
Emma Buwalda, 55 goals, continues to be the difference for the Demons each week, while Taylor Mentha slotted into the side with ease because of injuries and helped increase the intensity in the defensive end.
The Demons are still struggling with injuries and will this week take on an improving Ararat outfit.
Horsham will again call on its young players to step up against a quick, strong Rats side and its defenders will need to be at their best to stop the Ararat attackers.
The Rats will look to capitalise on any weaknesses on their way to an upset win.
Minyip-murtoa defenders Stef Cooper and Paula Wiedermann were instrumental in their side’s win over Ararat last week.
The Rats started well, shooting the first three goals, before the Burras started to settle in, capitalising on any opportunities that came their way.
Ararat certainly had chances to take it up to the Burras, however a scoreless third quarter gave Minyip-murtoa the added confidence it needed to run away with a 22-goal win.
Rats defenders Rebecca Skrabl and Krystal Fisher worked hard in the circle, forcing out many balls and claiming several intercepts.
Young Monique Scott played her best game for the season at wing defence.
The Rats will need to put in a good effort on the track to be competitive against the Demons.
Minyip-murtoa has a bye this week. Round-six results: Minyip-murtoa d Ararat 44-22, Horsham d Nhill 66-33, Southern Mallee Giants d Stawell 66-59, Dimboola d Horsham Saints 60-58.