By Marcus Uhe
Erin Bell made a successful return to the netball court for Narre Warren on Saturday as the Magpies recorded a first-up win in Outer East Football Netball’s A-Grade competition against Pakenham.
Bell, who sat out last season while pregnant, scored 32 goals in the 53-38 win, with the Magpies extending their lead at every break as the contest played out.
Narre Warren threatened to pull away during a physical first half but the Lions were able to reel leads back in before they got out of hand on a number of occasions.
Light rain made for a slippery surface and ball, while the physicality at both ends of the court was noticeable.
Pakenham’s shooters in Rose Laidlaw and Charlotte Hudolin were steadfast in the face of strong bodywork from Narre Warren’s defenders Gabrielle Dwyer and Julia Kaitani, but the swarming wings of Narre Warren further ahead in the court made moving the ball difficult for the Lions, who were forced to resort to long balls down court on a number of occasions.
A six-goal run in the third quarter helped the Magpies extend their lead to 11, and was enough to keep the Lions at arms-length for the remainder of the contest.
11 goals to just five in the final term saw the Magpies run away with the result, and begin their premiership defence in ideal fashion.
Recruits, Jordyn Adams and Millicent Utber both made strong impressions in their first games for Pakenham, as did Kelly Cousins, who shot 14 goals.
At Wandin, the Bulldogs prevailed in a high-stakes contest with 2023 preliminary finalist Mt Evelyn.
The high-scoring clash finished 55-45 in Wandin’s favour, eager for redemption after lasts season’s grand final loss.
Taking a four-goal lead into the second half, Wandin outscored the Rovers 16-10 in the third term, and grew the margin to 13 midway through the final period, before settling on the eventual gap of 10.
Shooter Emmalia Blake picked up where she left off last season, scoring 50 goals in her first contest of the year.
Clubs in 2024 will now have the option to activate rolling substitutions throughout the game, rather be limited to making changes through injury.
Outer East introduced rolling substitutions in accordance with the 2024 edition of the Rules of Netball.
One player at a time can be substituted at the designated interchange area next to the score bench, or near the team’s interchange bench, without needing to notify umpires or stop the game.
Outer East’s Netball Operations Coordinator Matt Blanchard said the decision to choose rolling substitutions over tactical substitutions was made to minimise disruptions to the game, and to ease pressure on scorers.
“We opted for rolling substitutions because we thought it would be easier for our scorers and volunteers to record,” he said.
“Because you only do one at a time, whereas tactical subs you can technically change every position on court.
“It keeps the game flowing, it doesn’t stop and start.
“For us, for an integrity point of view, because we have goal-shooting awards, it’s making sure the right player is apportioned the right amount of goals.”
The remainder of round will be played this weekend.
