The Macleod A’s resumed their strong form off the back of last week’s close win. Both the Lakeside and the Macleod girls were physical from the get go. People that maintain that netball is a non-contact sport would only have to watch the first ten seconds of the game to understand modern competitive netball is no longer a tussle-free game.
Whilst the stakes weren’t high, as Round 2 was bound to be more grading matches, both teams played with great intensity and produced outstanding pressure at both ends of the court. The Macleod team are a slick unit, working to their advantage was also the fact that this team has seasoned together. The Macleod girls awareness of there team mates on the court is something to be admired. A skill the Lakeside girls were unable to match.
Lakeside produced a much messier game as opposed to Macleod, whose disposal was clean and effective. Working in Lakeside’s favour was their great speed down the court. The youthfulness of the Lakeside team meant when a rare turnover was made by Macleod, Lakeside was quick to punish. In the end, the relentless Macleod girls ran over the top of Lakeside resulting in 36-15. The score line tells an untrue story, whilst Macleod was outstanding, Lakeside put up a good fight and deserved a more balanced outcome.
Head coach of the Whittlesea Eagles, Bob Hudson was licking his lips at the chance of facing reigning premiers Diamond Creek Reds without star midcourt player Brooke Gannon. Hudson must have thanked a higher power when the Reds fronted the court with only six girls and no bench. He thought this may just be the Eagles’ day. However to his dismay, this was not the case. One cannot simply underestimate the well roundedness of the Reds. In the Eagles’ speedy hast to capitalise on the Reds’ misfortune, the girls fumbled and turned over key statistics. They were unable to compete with the elite pressure that the Reds applied.
By the time the Reds got their star wing attack, Gannon, on the court, the girls from Creek were already five goals up. Credit to the Eagles who sustained an aggressive nature and hunger for the ball in all four quarters. But despite the Eagles’ best effort they were able to match the Reds’ ability to read the play and provide great service into the ring. In a game that the Eagles should have exploited, the Reds proved again why there are the strongest team in the competition.
Round 3 will have some interesting match upsd a I encourage any keen netball follower to get down to the Bundoora RMIT courts next Friday from 7pm onwards.
Round 2 Team of the Round
GK – Shannen Bulmumcu (Whittlesea)
GD – Rebecca McMahon (Lakeside)
WD – Nat Wilson (Macleod)
C – Tracey Horner (Thomastown)
WA – Julia Allan (Diamond Creek)
GA – Stacey Gannon (Diamond Creek)
GS – Hailey Grimes (Macleod)
