A review of Round 13 netball action in the Northern Football Netball League.
Section 1 Round 13 – South Morang 1 vs North Heidelberg 1
by Marisa Sopcic
North Heidelberg 1 remains in the top-three on the Section 1 ladder a close win against South Morang 1 at RMIT University in Round 13.
Throughout the first half of the game, only a few goals separated the two sides.
North Heidelberg’s small lead in the first quarter was quickly lost, as South Morang’s defensive unit of Olivia Pels and Bridget Canals forced turnovers in the Bulldogs’ goal circle.
The ball was moved quickly across the court to both team’s scoring circles. The pressure created by the defence meant shooters were struggling to score goals.
With the scoreline locked at 7 apiece, the Lions turned over the ball on North’s centre pass to score. Gaining another from their centre pass, they took the lead out to two goals approaching quarter time.
With her side trailing 10-8, North Heidelberg GK Lauren Byrnes intercepted a pass entering the Lions goal circle. The Bulldogs then pushed forward and scored to move just one goal behind.
They then tied the game once again after a swift play from the resulting centre pass.
South Morang GS Mahalia Rank spent too long on her shot, turning the ball over. North Heidelberg’s then moved the ball into its territory for another goal.
A very tight first half saw no room for mistakes by either side.
North keep the lead approaching half time, but South Morang managed to stay in touch at every turn.
With just one goal the difference, South Morang took the first centre pass for the final half of the game.
Michelle Millhouse was a tad too eager to send the ball towards her shooters, as North Heidelberg GK Lauren Byrnes intercepted the play. This was the first chain in a quick play for the Bulldogs, who converted the first goal of the third quarter.
It set the tone for the half, with both sides needing to be tighter with their passes to avoid allowing their opponents to create turnovers.
North Heidelberg had a strong start to the third quarter, adding four goals before South Morang could score one.
The Bulldogs’ defence lifted its pressure, forcing held balls and intercepts which helped to deny South Morang any easy goals. This saw the lead stretch to a game-high margin of eight goals.
South Morang looked out of the contest in the final quarter. A number of the Lions passes were too powerful and thrown too far ahead of their players, allowing North Heidelberg to push in front by 10.
But with a surge of energy the Lions settled back into the game and came back within six goals.
However, the comeback came too late in the final quarter and there just wasn’t enough time for the Lions to continue the fightback, as North finished with a four-goal win.
Final score: North Heidelberg 1 (44) def South Morang 1 (40)
Section 4 Round 13 – Ivanhoe 2 vs Heidelberg 4
by Marisa Sopcic
Heidelberg 4 remained within touching distance of the Section 4 top-two after defeating Ivanhoe 2 at RMIT University in Round 13.
A tight game early, the Tigers were convincing in the final quarter to finish eight-goal winners and push Ivanhoe into fifth place on the ladder.
The contest early on was very impressive and both sides created plenty of scoring opportunities.
The defenders of both sides played a big role in the first quarter, forcing turnovers and stoppages of play through intercepts at their respective ends.
Although little separated the sides in the first term, this changed in the second as Ivanhoe slipped behind as a result of some costly errors.
Heidelberg were quick to land two goals to open the second quarter. GA Tayla Moffat was particularly prominent early in the term to set the tone for her side.
Moffat found empty spaces around the goal circle to be fed the ball in.
The early goals seemed to give Heidelberg plenty of confidence and they used that to carry the ascendancy throughout the quarter.
The Tigers put through 11 goals for the term to take control of the match. Defensively they were just as strong, only letting two goals through at Ivanhoe’s end.
The second quarter slip-up forced Ivanhoe to play catch up netball for the next two quarters.
Facing a large deficit, Ivanhoe scored the opening three goals of the third term to begin to mount a comeback.
Ivanhoe GK Ellie Ryan worked well defensively, forcing her opponent out of a comfortable shooting distance within the goal circle.
The Ivanhoe girls tried to apply as much pressure onto Heidelberg as they could but couldn’t manage to get back within seven goals.
When Heidelberg GS Moffat backed herself and set up the long shots, she would swish the goal in every time.
Needing to make up a big deficit in the last quarter, Ivanhoe’s was intent to run fast plays down the court.
This meant more mistakes were made as they tried to take gambles and at times try for high-risk, high reward passing attempts.
Heidelberg racked up the turnovers this quarter and was able to play a much more measured style than their opponent.
The Tigers mid court players were able fed the ball through Ivanhoe’s defence, who struggled to deny the progression into goals.
Ultimately it was the second term which was the main difference between the two sides, with Heidelberg finish an eight-goal winner.
Final score: Heidelberg 4 (32) def Ivanhoe 2 (24)
