By Marcus Uhe
Emerald’s first contest in Outer East Football Netball’s A-Grade netball competition has sent a shock through the remainder of the division, thrashing 2022 premiers Olinda Ferny Creek by 21 goals on the Bloods’ home court.
A monster 21-goal second quarter between Kara Ellis and Mackenzie Fox saw the 2023 Division One A-Grade premiers establish a 13 goal lead at the long break, and they finished a further 18 in the fourth quarter to extinguish any hopes of a comeback from the home side, running out 67-46 winners.
Fox, Kaylah Loulanting, Madison Taylor and Krista Tomlinson have all returned as the nucleus of Emerald’s triumphant 2023 side, and appear to be strong force after its opening contest of the year.
It’s a vastly different side for Olinda Ferny Creek that climbed the highest highs in 2022, with star shooter Hayley Howard and the remainder of the side that saluted not taking the court on Saturday, with Bronwyn Simpson donning the red and black dress for Emerald.
Fellow Premier Division newcomers for 2024 in ROC also made a winning start, but was given a fright in its contest against Woori Yallock.
The Tigers, who did not field senior netball teams in 2023, rallied after a poor start to nearly snatch an unlikely lead in the fourth term, but ROC was able to hold on in a 44-40 win.
ROC opened the contest with 11 of the first 12 goals to open an early buffer but the Tigers chipped away throughout the remainder of the contest to close the gap.
The final five goals of the third quarter saw the Tigers cut the margin from seven goals to just two, and a goal-for-goal sequence in the final term resulted in the margin bouncing between one and two goals for four minutes of action.
But a pivotal three-goal stretch from ROC restored a four goal cushion with two minutes to play, which was enough to bank the points.
Emily Vilder and Amelie Mucic were standouts for ROC in the defensive half, as Chloe Bell led the scoring with 19 goals.
Gembrook Cockatoo made a winning start to its season after a dour campaign in 2023 in which they failed to register a victory.
It was an excellent defensive performance against Berwick Springs that secured the result, allowing just 37 goals and no more than 11 in a quarter in the 50-37 result.
Mariah Bell was dominant in the Brookers’ goal circle with 33 goals despite the best efforts of Laura Walker and Charlee Lancaster.
Elsewhere, Upwey Tecoma went down to Monbulk by 22 goals in a high scoring clash at home, 68-46.
