By David Nagel
Nar Nar Goon’s well-oiled machine is fine tuned for one of the biggest games of the West Gippsland A Grade netball season after the Goon disposed of Garfield in spectacular fashion at Beswick Street on Saturday.
The two top teams heading into round five went head to head to decide who would remain the only undefeated team in the competition; and it took just one quarter of netball to find out.
The Goon went hunting their opposition early, scoring 20-11 in the first quarter on its way to a stunning 78-44 triumph.
Garfield defenders Jemima Sheedy (GK) and Steph Warburton (GD) were under more pressure than a florist on mother’s day as the visitors went to work.
Midcourters Alex Fenton, Chantelle Dale and Olivia Hamilton combined as a free-flowing combination, allowing goalers Kyra Esler and Darcy Utber the space to bamboozle their over-worked opponents.
At the defensive end of the court, Taylah Boatwood and Morgan Harris assured there were no weaknesses in any third of the court.
The Goon’s pressure was relentless for four quarters, particularly in the third period of the match when the visitors outscored their hosts 23-10.
Esler was magnificent for the winners; piercing the net on 58 occasions, while Emilee Dunn showed the depth at Nar Nar Goon is as strong as it’s ever been.
The next challenge for the Goon will be its greatest one; a road trip to Inverloch this Saturday.
Inverloch-Kongwak, the three-time reigning champions, were forced to dig deep and had to shuffle the deck chairs somewhat in a hard-fought 47-42 victory over Tooradin-Dalmore.
These two have had some classic battles over the years and this one was no exception with both teams at full intensity for the full four quarters of netball.
With Alex Maher capitalising on the fine work of Zoe Coventry through the midcourt, the Seagulls led by a solitary goal at quarter time.
Not a team to lay down easily, the Sea Eagles responded to tie things away at half way, with the return of star wing attack Lanni Pryor a huge boost for coach Jarrad Walker and his team.
Pryor had a huge impact in the opening half, but her minutes were managed after the break in her first game back from a foot injury.
The Sea Eagles versatility would prove the difference in the end, with gun defender Renee Pilkington controlling the match in Centre, with Asha Boyd filling the huge boots of Pilkington in defence.
The Sea Eagles kicked out to a three-goal lead at the final change, before scoring 12 to 10 in the final term for a gutsy and determined victory.
A flying first half has propelled third-placed Cora Lynn to a clinical 50-24 win over Kooweerup.
The Cobras were unbelievably good defensively in the first half, with defenders Annabel Sheppard, Paige Brooks-MacMillan and Danielle Cameron turning their defensive circle into a fortress.
They allowed the Demons just eight goals before half time, opening up an unconquerable 30-8 advantage at the break.
The Demons showed character from that point forward, being outscored 20-16…but the damage had already been done.
Kasey Brooks-MacMillan was a fresh face to shine for the Cobras, while Lily Mewett, Kate Sidebottom and Ellie Trembath never gave up for Koowee.
In other games this week, a strong second quarter ensured Dalyston got the chocolates and flowers with a 41-31 triumph over Kilcunda-Bass, while Korumburra-Bena is keeping the pressure on ladder leaders Nar Nar Goon after a 67-30 win over Warragul Industrials.
The Giants exploded out of the blocks, scoring 20-6 in the opening stanza, before cruising home to victory from there.
All the big guns fired for the Giants, with Ash Cuff, Chelsea Fox, Elisha Nicholas, Felicity Fox, Fiona Burns, Gemma Dixon and Mackenna Whiteside spending all four quarters on court.
Fifth-placed Phillip Island had the bye.
WGFNC A GRADE NETBALL
RESULTS R5: Garfield 44 v Nar Nar Goon 78, Cora Lynn 50 v Kooweerup 24, Tooradin-Dalmore 42 v Inverloch-Kongwak 47, Kilcunda-Bass 31 v Dalyston 41, Warragul Industrials 30 v Korumburra-Bena 67. Bye: Phillip Island.
LADDER: Nar Nar Goon 20, Korumburra Bena 16, Cora Lynn 16, Inverloch Kongwak 16, Phillip Island 14, Garfield 14, Dalyston 12, Tooradin-Dalmore 8, Kilcunda Bass 4, Kooweerup 0, Warragul Industrials 0.
FIXTURE R6: Saturday 17 May, 2025. Inverloch-Kongwak v NAR NAR GOON, TOORADIN-DALMORE v Phillip Island, Kilcunda-Bass v CORA LYNN, KORUMBURRA-BENA v Kooweerup, DALYSTON v Garfield. Bye: Warragul Industrials.
