West Gippsland win cups
West Gippsland Football Netball Competition secured two wins against Ellinbank and District Netball Association during the interleague fixture at Yarragon on Saturday.
Open: WGFNC defeated EDNA 4534.
This was a competitive and close contest with West Gippsland’s ability to play well under pressure proving the difference to win the interleague cup.
In perfect conditions, tall defenders Rachel Ronaldson and Danielle Hanley, who play together at Catani, made life tough for their opposing goalers. Their connection and understanding resulted in many turnovers.
However, it was West Gippsland who had a four-goal lead at quarter time.
EDNA moved captain Taylah Wallace from centre to wing attack and Karina Proctor from wing attack into goal attack. This allowed a better connection into the goalers as well as more movement in the goal circle.
EDNA also tightened its overall defence, moving to a one-on-one style of play. Their reward was an 11-goal apiece quarter.
A few silly errors proved costly in the second half as West Gippsland ensured no easy feed or shot on goal through tight circle defence.
Bec Kinna, former EDNA best and fairest winner with Catani who now plays at Tooradin-Dalmore, was named best on court for West Gippsland for creating turnovers at pressure moments through intercepts and rebounds. EDNA’s best was Taylah Wallace. Teams: Open EDNA team: Taylah Wallace (Ellinbank), Abbey McNally (Poowong), Danielle Hanley (Catani), Ebony Bott (Ellinbank), Georgia Chiavaroli (Poowong), Karina Proctor (Poowong), Rachel Ronaldson (Catani), Sara Russell (Catani), Tahlia Peterson (Buln Buln) and coach Yvonne Porter (Longwarry).
Open WGFNC team: captain Bec Kinna (Tooradin-Dalmore), Jasmin Mackie (Bunyip), Gemma Stacey (Cora Lynn), Karla Brook (Cora Lynn), Alana McRae (Dalyston), Alex Duff (Tooradin-Dalmore), Paris Toner (Garfield), Jaymee Eastwood (Koo Wee Rup), Bronte Evans (TooradinDalmore) and coach Donna Marsh (Cora Lynn).
17 and under: WGFNC defeated EDNA 41-21.
This match-up saw a terrific first half, with West Gippsland able to flex its muscles in the second half for an impressive win.
EDNA’s defenders started well, with good play and plenty of rebounds on offer. At quarter, West Gippsland led 9-7.
The connection into EDNA’s attack end was great in the second quarter. Stephanie Geyer was running the centre well and the feeders utilised Stephanie Lee’s height in goals. After an even quarter, West Gippsland led 19-16 at half-time.
Looking for more agility, EDNA made changes which didn’t work as West Gippsland stepped up its play and rattle its opposition. The third quarter was when the damage was done.
Looking ahead to the association championships in June, EDNA will see this game as a learning curve. The girls will work on connection and ability to adapt to positional changes.
Grace McRae (West Gippsland) and Stephanie Geyer (Lang Lang) won the best on court medals. Teams: 17 and under EDNA team: captain Stephanie Lee (Catani), Ash Snell (Poowong), Emily Warren (Catani), Madison Mullen (Buln Buln), Meaghan Doberer (Buln Buln), Mia Blackwood (Poowong), Paris Smith (Neerim-Neerim South), Stephanie Geyer (Lang Lang), Tanley Tworkowski (Ellinbank) and coach Lisa Williams (Nyora).
17 and under WGFNC team: captain Grace McRae (Dalyston), captain Lanni Pryor (Inverloch-Kongwak), Natalia Dijstra (Bunyip), Gemma Thomas (Dalyston), Chloe Bramley (Dalyston), Sophie White (Garfield), Rahni Mann (Inverloch-Kongwak), Ella Sadler (Inverloch-Kongwak), Jessie Sadley (Inverloch-Kongwak) and coach Jan McRae (Dalyston).