NETBALL FEATURE | Belief building at South

BY KIERAN ILES 

BENDIGO TIMES

BELIEF is continuing to build at South Bendigo, as the Bloods eye three consecutive wins and a sneaky chance of a spot in the top three.

The Bloods continued their second half of season charge with a gutsy two-goal win last Saturday over reigning premier Gisborne at Harry Trott Oval.

Bolstered by the inclusion of Bendigo Strikers goaler Bridgette Furphy, the Bloods led the Bulldogs for the bulk of contest, hanging tough in the final few minutes to score a 51-49 triumph.

It was easily the biggest of their three wins this season and has put them just two points behind the third-placed Bulldogs and on level-pegging with fourth-placed Eaglehawk.

It has thrust the Bloods and Hawks into a blockbuster round clash at Canterbury Park this Saturday.

Nothing could separate the two sides when they last met in a draw on Anzac Day.

South Bendigo coach Lauren Bowles believed their win over Gisborne would instill plenty of confidence in the Bloods as they look to return to finals for the first time since 2023.

“It gives our girls such confidence for the rest of the season and hopefully it makes the competition think that South are here to play … that there’s another team here,” she said.

Having struggled to find a consistent pairing in the goal circle due to pre and in season injuries and absences, Bowles was licking her lips at the prospect of Furphy lining up alongside her Strikers teammate Gabe Richards for the first time in red and white.

The duo did not disappoint, giving the Bloods a pair of strong targets and scoring options.

Richards finished with 42 goals in an intriguing one-one-one battle with Bulldogs star Charlee Kemp, one of the league’s premier defenders, earning lavish praise from her coach.

“Gabe was absolutely awesome,” Bowles said.

“To be honest, they all came out firing.

“Gabe is such a presence, not only in game-play, but I think I’ve said this time and time again, as a person she just directs so much play out on court in such a positive way.

“She gives others so much confidence.

“Obviously having Bridgette in the mix as well (on Saturday) - she is such a smart player. Having her and Gabe combining at Strikers and then bringing that into South is amazing.

“I thought our defenders were incredible – Hayley Harrington and Maggie Burke were awesome.

“Kyla Byrne stood up at wing attack and Andrea Wilson is having a great season.

“I just think it was such a great team performance.”

With momentum building, Bowles, in his first year at the helm at South Bendigo, said she was ultra-excited to see what her side could achieve in the second half of the season.

“We won’t shy away from the fact they had two really big outs – Zoe Davies and Claudia Mawson – but a win like this means so much to our team,” she said.

“Last week (against Strathfieldsaye) was a great step for us and this week we just came out firing.

“If we can beat Eaglehawk, it opens some possibilities and we could even sneak into third.

“It’s all about confidence.”

Gisborne’s loss came on the back of a spirited eight-goal defeat by top-of-the-ladder Kangaroo Flat.

It is the first time the Bulldogs have suffered back-to-back defeats since round 16 and 17 of their 2023 premiership season when they lost to Sandhurst and South Bendigo.

The Bloods have proved a bit of a bogey side for the Bulldogs in recent seasons, also beating them in 2022.

Gisborne coach Tarryn Rymer gave full praise to South Bendigo for a top performance.

“It was a good hit-out – South were very strong. We just couldn’t stop them and we probably didn’t treasure the ball enough when we had it,” she said.

“I feel we will see a lot more consistency over the next few weeks with Zoe and Clauds coming back.

“We certainly won’t shy away from the fact it was a very solid win by South.”

Rymer said curbing the strength and presence of Richards had proved difficult, resulting in Jemma Denman coming off the bench to play at goal defence with good effect in the second half, and skipper Kirby Elliott moving up to wing defence.

“We went with the Charlee and Kirby (Elliott) combo, but once that ball got in there, it was hard to win it with Gabe’s height and her ability to hold under the post,” she said.

“We thought we needed to be a bit damage up higher in the court.

“Jemma was good back in defence. Putting her back there freed Kirby up to have a fly at some balls.

“One of the positives was her, Rylee (Connell) and Eloise (Rodda) showing they can all step up after a big hit-out at A-res level.

“It is what it is. I don’t think it hurts for the girls to have a loss now, but we are going to have to work harder.

“It wasn’t our best game as a collective, so I’m sure the girls will be really keen to bounce back against Strath.”

Round 9 recap: Kangaroo Flat 74 defeated Eaglehawk 33; Sandhurst defeated Strathfieldsaye; South Bendigo 51 defeated Gisborne 49; Golden Square bye.