Netballer’s mixed fortunes against Magpies

The team showed great determination throughout the game, producing some excellent passages of play and working hard for one another from the first whistle to the last.

Our teamwork and willingness to support each other on court were highlights of the day, with every player having moments where they made a valuable contribution.

While the result didn't go our way, there were plenty of positives to take from the performance as we continue to build throughout the season.

A special mention to our best players on the day: Em Lavis, Grace Boyd, and Mikaylah Trethowan, who all had outstanding games and led by example.

B Grade

Corowa Rutherglen 45 def Wangaratta 44

Myrtleford came out firing in B grade.

Corowa started strong with a high scoring 14-12 first quarter and maintained their two-goal lead through the second. A momentary lapse of focus towards the end of the third quarter, taking a little too long to work positional changes, saw scores level up by the final change.

The Myrtleford team forced them to reassess and really trust their training to invest in the basics, getting back to the netball they enjoy.

It was a four-quarter tussle and Corowa came out on top, gaining momentum in the final period and extending to their largest margin at the final whistle, winning by 5 in an impressive 11-6 final term.

The depth and versatility of the team was the winning ticket this week, positional changes forcing the Myrtleford players to adjust to their different styles in positions across court.

Awards this week could have gone to any of the girls, with such a teamy grind across the game.

Awards

Club 1: Sophie Morey who was instrumental in shutting down their playmaker and directing play in our defense end as well as connecting with our attack end on transition.

Docs: Elouise Barlow who was a powerhouse of energy and held the Myrtleford midcourt accountable, making them pay if they didn’t completely finish off their drive through the ball and showing great composure and connection in attack.

Canteen: Kelsea Bullivant who brought trust and poise to the attack end and then showcased our training when she shifted into WD, delaying and denying the Myrtleford attacking midcourt and picking off clean intercepts to provide more and more opportunities for our attackers to convert.

C Grade

Corowa Rutherglen 42 drew Wangaratta 42

C Grade played out one of the most exciting games of the season, fighting back from a five-goal deficit at three-quarter time to secure a 42-all draw against top of the ladder Wangaratta Magpies.

The Magpie's came out strongly and led at every change, but the Corowa girls never dropped their heads and continued to chip away at the margin throughout the game.

The defensive pressure lifted significantly in the second half, creating crucial turnovers and giving Corowa’s attackers more opportunities to convert.

Heading into the final quarter down by five goals, the team showed incredible determination and composure to outscore Wangaratta 13-5 and finish level at the final whistle.

The attacking combination of Adeline Corbett and Alex Gniel worked tirelessly all day, sharing the scoring load evenly with 21 goals each.

Through the midcourt, Jemma Smith, celebrating her 100th club game, led by example with her work rate and leadership, while Rahni Dickins and Keeley Symonds provided plenty of drive and options through transition.

Defensively, Leah Keating, Bree Forrest, and Niamh Lavis were outstanding.

Their ability to pressure the ball, contest every pass, and force errors was a major factor in keeping Wangaratta to just five goals in the final quarter and allowing Corowa to claw their way back into the contest.

Awards

Keeley Symonds earned recognition for the impact she had when entering the game through WA. Keeley's speed, smart decision-making, and willingness to work hard both offensively and defensively provided great balance through the midcourt and helped lift the intensity of the team.

Leah Keating was exceptional across both WD and GD. Leah's ability to read the play, apply relentless pressure, and create turnovers was instrumental in our comeback. She was constantly involved in contests and gave our attacking end numerous opportunities from her defensive efforts.

Bree Forrest rounded out the awards after a strong performance through GD, WD, and GK. Bree's versatility allowed us to make key adjustments throughout the match, and her defensive pressure and willingness to contest every ball played a huge role in our final-quarter surge.

A special congratulations to Jemma Smith on reaching her 100-game milestone for the club.

Jemma has been a wonderful contributor both on and off the court, and it was fitting to celebrate the occasion with such a hard-fought team performance.

While the team would have loved the four points, the resilience shown by the group to fight back and secure the draw was something to be incredibly proud of.

U17s

Corowa Rutherglen 25 def by Wangaratta 47

This weekend, Corowa’s Under 17s took on Wangaratta Magpies.

Wang Maggie’s have always had a strong junior development program, so Corowa knew they were going to be in for a competitive match.

The girls came out with a positive mindset and a determination to work hard for each other, which was fantastic to see.

Unfortunately, the scoreboard didn't fall their way in the end, but there were plenty of positives and small moments throughout the game that they can be proud of and build on moving forward.

Awards

Club Award 1: Dekoda Smith, for her relentless efforts and outstanding work in the defensive end. Dekoda continues to be a strong and reliable defender, consistently creating pressure and turning over ball for the team when they need it most.

Club Award 2: Clodagh Way - Clodagh played a pivotal role through attack, providing strong ball-carrying ability through the midcourt and delivering quality feeds into the shooters. Her work rate and determination were invaluable throughout the game.

Club Award 3: Grace Milthorpe - Grace put together a terrific performance in goals, playing four consistent quarters in Goal Attack. She showed great confidence to turn and look at the post, creating opportunities and providing excellent movement throughout our attacking end.

Overall, it was a game that gave plenty of lessons, with both positives and areas for improvement to take away.

The team will look forward to getting back on the training track this week, to continue developing their game, and preparing for another big challenge against Yarrawonga next weekend.

U15s

Corowa Rutherglen 5 def by Wangaratta 68

Corowa Rutherglen’s Under 15s faced a strong Wang Magpies outfit on the weekend, with the opposition showcasing impressive skill, composure, and teamwork throughout the match.

Despite the challenge, Corowa Rutherglen never gave up, displaying great determination and resilience.

The team lifted their intensity in the second half, working hard to create opportunities and reward their efforts on the scoreboard.

Their persistence and willingness to compete until the final whistle were highlights of an encouraging performance.

Awards

Sportspower: Zahli DeMamiel, who showcased her tenacious spirit in defence and work hard all game.

The Chocolate Factory: Charlotte Lake, whose leadership and experience guided the attack end to scoring in the second half.

Canteen: Taylor Francis, for working tirelessly in wing defence to isolate her opponent off the ring.