Round Nine Netball Wrap
By Erika Allen
Sale and Maffra were both defeated on home courts in Round 9, falling to two of the Gippsland League’s top three sides on Saturday.
Third-placed Bairnsdale travelled to Maffra and produced a commanding 54–21 win over the Eagles.
Maffra’s shooters were made to work hard throughout the contest by Bairnsdale’s defensive end, with goal defender Sally Deller delivering another standout performance to earn best-on-court honours. Olivia Rees and Allison Dwyer were also important for the Redlegs, adding strength and pressure through the defensive third.
For Maffra, defenders Jayde Parsons, Zali Wheatley and Elly Weatherley were named among the Eagles’ best.
In attack, Bairnsdale’s Anna Mooney led the scoring with 44 goals, while Chloe Felsbourg added 10 goals against her former club.
At Sale, Moe recorded its eighth win of the season with a 31-goal victory over the Magpies. Sale kept pace early, but the Lions took control after quarter time and restricted the home side to single-digit returns in the remaining terms.
Alexandra Moody was named Moe’s best, with Jordan Pyle and Imogen Smith also strong contributors.
Sale shooter Eve Sabell was the Magpies’ best, finishing with 24 goals in her third-highest scoring game of the season to bring her tally to 159 goals. Mahli Stothers again impressed across all thirds of the court, while Tash Bedggood was also among Sale’s top performers.
Traralgon and Wonthaggi produced one of the closest contests of the round, with the Maroons holding off a late Power comeback to win by two goals.
Traralgon centre Montanna Styles was named the Maroons’ best, while defenders Indiana de Dios and Marley Wallace were also important.
For Wonthaggi, Chelsea Bowman shot 21 goals in a best-on performance, with Ellie Bates and Eva Lindsay also among the Power’s best.
At Western Park, Morwell claimed a hard-fought 54–47 win over Warragul, while Drouin continued its unbeaten run with a 73–49 victory over Leongatha.
Attention now turns to Round 10, with Sale and Maffra to meet for the second time this season at Sale Oval on Sunday. Drouin and Warragul will also clash on Sunday, while Bairnsdale v Traralgon, Moe v Leongatha and Wonthaggi v Morwell will be played on Saturday.
A Grade
Drouin 73 d Leongatha 49
Moe 61 d Sale 30
Traralgon 43 d Wonthaggi 41
Morwell 54 d Warragul 47
Bairnsdale 54 d Maffra 21
Ladder: Drouin 36, Moe 32, Bairnsdale 28, Leongatha 20, Traralgon 18 (105 per cent), Wonthaggi 18 (96), Maffra 12, Morwell 10, Sale 6, Warragul 0
B Grade
Leongatha 59 d Drouin 44
Moe 57 d Sale 25
Wonthaggi 49 d Traralgon 41
Morwell 53 d Warragul 36
Bairnsdale 66 d Maffra 45
Ladder: Leongatha 36, Moe 32, Drouin 24, Wonthaggi 20, Bairnsdale 18 (102), Morwell 18 (96), Traralgon 16, Maffra 12, Sale 4, Warragul 0
C Grade
Leongatha 45 d Drouin 35
Moe 63 d Sale 23
Traralgon 46 d Wonthaggi 35
Morwell 46 d Warragul 20
Bairnsdale 51 d Maffra 34
Ladder: Traralgon 28 (154), Morwell 28 (136), Leongatha 28 (134), Drouin 28 (132), Moe 24, Wonthaggi 20, Bairnsdale 12, Maffra 8, Warragul 4, Sale 0
17 & Under
Drouin 46 d Leongatha 33
Moe 35 d Sale 32
Traralgon 56 d Wonthaggi 20
Warragul 41 d Morwell 25
Bairnsdale 63 d Maffra 20
Ladder: Traralgon 36, Bairnsdale 32, Moe 28, Drouin 24, Sale 20, Warragul 14, Maffra 12, Leongatha 10, Morwell 4, Wonthaggi 0
15 & Under
Leongatha 53 d Drouin 18
Sale 35 d Moe 33
Traralgon 56 d Wonthaggi 10
Morwell 41 d Warragul 31
Bairnsdale 50 d Maffra 29
Ladder: Traralgon 36, Leongatha 32, Bairnsdale 28, Sale 24, Maffra 20, Moe 16, Drouin 12, Morwell 8, Warragul 4, Wonthaggi 0
13 & Under
Leongatha 39 d Drouin 8
Sale 35 d Moe 14
Traralgon 62 d Wonthaggi 14
Morwell 38 d Warragul 24
Bairnsdale 27 d Maffra 18
Photo: Shaz Caia
