GVL | Gallery | ‘A ripping game of netball’: Swans down Tigers in one-goal thriller

By Daniel Webb

Aug 21, 2022

Defensive effort: Shepparton Swans’ Hannah Garner played well. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Goulburn Valley League A-grade netball supporters were treated to a classic encounter on Saturday afternoon with Shepparton Swans defeating Rochester by one goal.

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The nail-biting round 17 match-up at Shepparton’s Princess Park was always going to be an entertaining match, however, few could predict the drama that would unfold.

With Rochester sitting in seventh and Shepparton Swans eighth before the game, both sides were still an outside chance to play finals and the scoreline of 46 to 45 made for an end-to-end contest.

Good spell: Shepparton Swans' Ash McMahon had a great game on Saturday. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Swans coach Courtney Simpson said it was a “ripping” game of netball.

“It was absolutely fantastic,” Simpson said.

“We’re two teams that I suppose have been fairly evenly matched and both are still sort of vying to keep that chance alive for that last finals spot.”

Get set: Rochester’s Madison Egglestone and Shepparton Swans’ Ella Cirillo prepare to get play back under way. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Simpson said after losing a number of close games this season, including a two-goal defeat to Shepparton in round 15, the side had figured out how to end the game stronger.

Passing time: Rochester’s Charlee Roulston looks for a teammate. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“We just haven’t controlled the ball in those last few minutes and we’ve actually worked on that in the last month since losing to the Bears by two goals,” she said.

“What was fantastic for us was that we were able to put that into play and control the ball in the last minute or so to stay in front.

“It was certainly a very tight, tough game, both teams played really well.”

In form: Rochester’s Teal Hocking shot well on the day. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Simpson said Rochester goaler Teal Hocking had a great game in the ring, with her performance putting pressure on the Swans to make sure they took their chances.

She said the entire side stood up on the day, with each member of the team doing their job.

Making play: Shepparton Swans’ Hannah Garner looks to start an attack. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“Ash McMahon ended up getting our (best-on) award and our defenders Hannah Garner and Ella Cirillo, they were really vital,” she said.

“When you’re against an opponent that’s scoring the way she (Hocking) was you’ve got to take every opportunity that you can and they maintained a level of intensity for 60 minutes, it was really the difference I think.