Round 17 Results

East Point 36 defeated by Sunbury 49

Sunbury set the benchmark early and came out to control the game from the opening quarter, maintaining scoreboard pressure throughout the match. Tayla Honey in GD was unstoppable, using her ability to tip, create turnovers and control the transition out of defence. At the attacking end, Caitlin Hill was Sunbury’s key target, shooting 36 goals and providing consistency across each quarter.

East Point remained competitive in both the opening and final quarters, but accuracy proved a deciding factor. They created plenty of opportunities but, under pressure, were unable to consistently convert them into goals. Grace Rogers worked hard in the circle defence, continuing to hunt the ball and execute when opportunities presented.

Melton 24 lost to Redan 68

Redan’s winning edge was their ability to come home strongly and take control in every quarter. Kirsten Andrich was a standout in GD, adding strength to the defensive circle and making it difficult for Melton’s goalers to receive clean ball.

Through the midcourt, Stacey Matthews continued her dominance, working strongly to deliver quality ball into Eva Manserra, who finished strongly in the goal circle. This combination has continued to grow each week and is becoming increasingly difficult for defenders to stop.

Melton used plenty of players throughout the game but found it difficult to settle and produce consistent netball. While some combinations were strong, Redan’s depth across every third of the court made it difficult for Melton to create sustained opportunities.

Bacchus Marsh 33 defeated by Sebastopol 57

Sebastopol came out on fire this week to record a strong win, with their dominance centred around Adut Manyiel in GS/GA. In both positions, Manyiel was able to take control of the goal third, shooting 36 goals at 94% accuracy and demonstrating her ability to control Sebastopol’s attacking game.

Jami Luhrs in GD combined strongly with Tahlia Watts in C to create a strong defensive line that was difficult for Bacchus Marsh to push through. Their pressure and ability to contest possession helped Sebastopol maintain control and transition the ball forward.

Bacchus Marsh showed competitive strength across all four quarters of the match, but goal conversion and overall scoring volume ultimately made the difference. Kimberly Philip in GS was a constant and reliable target, shooting the majority of Bacchus Marsh’s goals with 24 at 82% accuracy.

Ballarat 37 defeated by Darley 58

Darley continue to show how strong they are, producing another dominant performance over Ballarat. Their ability to control the game and maintain pressure throughout the four quarters was again a key feature of the result.

Matilda Elliot in GD was a standout, using her ability to stop feeds into the circle and create tips and turnovers. Her defensive work provided Darley with opportunities to win possession and transition the ball forward for scoring opportunities.

Montana Holmes was another standout performer for Darley, contributing strongly as they maintained control of the contest and continued their impressive form.

Sunbury will enter the final round after another strong performance, defeating East Point 49–36. Their defensive pressure and ability to convert opportunities have continued to be important features of their recent form.

Tayla Honey’s influence through the court and Caitlin Hill’s consistency in the shooting circle will again be important.

Ballarat will be looking to respond after their loss to Darley. They showed consistent netball across four quarters and will need to find a way to break through Sunbury’s defensive pressure while creating enough opportunities in the attacking circle.

Key Match-Up

• Sunbury’s defensive pressure against Ballarat’s attacking circle.
• Tayla Honey against Ballarat’s midcourt.

What to Watch

• Caitlin Hill’s shooting consistency.
• Ballarat’s ability to handle Sunbury’s defensive pressure.
• The battle through the midcourt and transition.

Prediction

Sunbury’s current form gives them the advantage, but Ballarat’s ability to compete for four quarters could make this a challenging final-round contest.

Sunbury Team List

GS – Caitlyn Hill
GA – Lani Fauonuku
WA – Georgia Hellyer
C – Tayla Honey
WD – Abi Inglis
GD – Eliza Gollant
GK – Elly Randall
Sub – Charlize Bellette
Sub – Taylah Easton

Ballarat Team List

GS – Bree Lane
GA – Ava Richardson
WA – Ella Shannon
C – Manon Muir
WD – Abbie O’Brien
GD – Jacinta McKenzie
GK – Eliza Burge
Sub – Brooke O’Brien

Redan will look to continue their recent improvement when they meet East Point in the final round.

Stacey Matthews and Eva Manserra have continued to build an increasingly influential combination, while Kirsten Andrich provides strength and pressure in the defensive circle.

East Point will be looking to finish their season strongly after remaining competitive against Sunbury. Grace Rogers will again be important at the defensive end, particularly in creating turnovers and disrupting Redan’s attacking flow.

Key Match-Up

• Stacey Matthews and Eva Manserra against East Point’s defensive unit.
• Kirsten Andrich against East Point’s attacking circle.

What to Watch

• Redan’s growing attacking combination.
• Grace Rogers’ defensive pressure.
• East Point’s ability to convert opportunities.

Prediction

Redan’s recent form and growing combinations give them the advantage, but East Point’s defensive pressure could make this a competitive final-round contest.

Redan Team List

GS – Eva Manserra
GA – Ash Smith
WA – Stacey Matthews
C – Abby Poulton
WD – Caitlin Farr
GD – Kirsten Andrich
GK – Erin Riley
Sub – Stella Kane
Sub – Ruby Parry

East Point Team List

GK – Grace Rogers
GD – Stella Geljon
WD – Rhiannon White
C – Isabella Stevens
WA – Abby Kinnersley
GA – Jeremi Robinson
GS – Keele Hillas
Sub – Evie Rooney
Sub – Bridey McElligott

The final round beckons with a major contest between the top two sides on the ladder. Darley have continued to produce dominant four-quarter performances throughout the season, while North Ballarat will be looking to respond strongly after their narrow loss to Lake Wendouree.

Darley’s defensive pressure and ability to transition quickly will again be important. Matilda Elliot has continued to provide strength in the defensive circle, while Montana Holmes has been influential through Centre.

North Ballarat will need to create clean possession through the midcourt and provide consistent opportunities for their attacking circle. Their ability to convert will be particularly important against a Darley side that has shown an ability to turn turnovers into goals.

Key Match-Up

• Darley’s defensive pressure against North Ballarat’s attacking circle.
• Montana Holmes against North Ballarat’s midcourt.

What to Watch

• Whether North Ballarat can slow Darley’s transition.
• Darley’s ability to maintain four-quarter pressure.
• North Ballarat’s shooting accuracy under pressure.

Prediction

Darley’s consistency and ability to control the game across all four quarters gives them the advantage, but North Ballarat have the quality to make this a strong final-round contest.

Darley Team List

GS – Olivia Cawthray
GA – Akira McCormack
WA – Lucy Taylor
C – Montana Holmes
WD – Jaimee Smith
GD – Anna Lawley
GK – Matilda Elliot
Sub – Shannon Blackman
Sub – Ailish McCormack

North Ballarat Team List

GS – Maddy Selmon
GA – Poppy Douglass
WA – Georgia Bodey
C – Lilly Francis
WD – Brydi Hutchinson
GD – Milly Simpson
GK – Maggie Smith
Int – Maddy Fitzpatrick
Int – Kelsie Rainbow
Int – Amy Wirth

Sebastopol will take strong momentum into the final round following their 57–33 victory over Bacchus Marsh.

Adut Manyiel’s ability to control the goal circle from both GS and GA will again be an important strength, while Jami Luhrs and Tahlia Watts have provided strong defensive pressure and transition.

Melton will be looking to finish the season with a competitive performance. Their focus will be on settling combinations, maintaining possession and producing consistent netball across all four quarters.

Key Match-Up

• Adut Manyiel against Melton’s defensive circle.
• Sebastopol’s defensive pressure against Melton’s attacking combinations.

What to Watch

• Adut Manyiel’s shooting accuracy.
• Melton’s ability to settle combinations.
• Sebastopol’s ability to maintain four-quarter pressure.

Prediction

Sebastopol’s recent form and strong attacking and defensive combinations give them the advantage heading into the final round.

Sebastopol Team List

GS – Adut Manyiel
GA – Laura Bell
WA – Hannah Atkinson
C – Tahlia Watts
WD – Nikki Allen
GD – Taylor Finch
GK – Alice Kain
Sub – Makayla Wright
Sub – Jami Luhrs
Sub – Sienna Muir

Melton Team List

GK – Makeleta Simeki
GD – Felicia Toleafoa
WD – Erin Kypreos
C – Sydney Hayes
WA – Natasha Lacey
GA – Ebony Carter
GS – Scarlett Winstanley
Sub – Katie Kakoschke

Lake Wendouree will enter the final round full of confidence after their five-goal win over North Ballarat. Their ability to remain composed in a close contest and finish strongly in the final quarter was an important feature of their Round 17 performance.

Sadie Cheeseman will again be an important player through the midcourt, while the shooting combination of Addison Funcke and Ebony Porter will look to maintain its consistency.

Bacchus Marsh have shown throughout the season that they can remain competitive for four quarters. Kimberly Philip will provide an important target in the shooting circle, while Bacchus Marsh will need to create clean possession and improve their conversion against a strong Lakers defensive unit.

Key Match-Up

• Bacchus Marsh’s attacking circle against Lake Wendouree’s defensive pressure.
• Sadie Cheeseman against the Bacchus Marsh midcourt.

What to Watch

• Lake Wendouree’s shooting accuracy.
• Bacchus Marsh’s ability to convert opportunities.
• Sadie Cheeseman’s influence through the midcourt.

Prediction

Lake Wendouree’s recent form and confidence give them the advantage, but Bacchus Marsh have shown enough competitiveness to make the final round contest difficult.

Lake Wendouree Team List

GS – Addison Funcke
GA – Ebony Porter
WA – Bella Clark
C – Sadie Cheeseman
WD – Rosie Todd
GD – Remi Hooper
GK – Kate Drew
Sub – Emma Hawker
Sub – Demi Thompson
Sub – Evi Snowden
Sub – Paris Shrive

Bacchus Marsh Team List

GS – Kimberly Philipps
GA – Jasmine Paama
WA – Melissa Prismall
C – Eliza Moodie
WD – Ella Logan
GD – Georgia Shattock
GK – Avana Hobson
Sub – Olivia Phyland
Sub – Chloe Eyre