ROUND 1 NETBALL REVIEW - Kangaroo Flat outguns reigning premiers
BY NATHAN DOLE
KANGAROO Flat bounced its way to an emphatic 28-goal victory against Gisborne in Saturday’s start to A-grade netball action in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL.
The rematch of the ’24 grand finalists was on the Kangaroos’ court at Dower Park.
A Kangaroos line-up coached by Jayden Cowling was in great touch in all thirds of the court.
Not only did the Kangaroos pour in 64 goals, but also worked incredibly well defensively to limit the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne to a tally of 36.
A new era for South Bendigo began with a 59-44 victory against Strathfieldsaye at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.
Lauren Bowles, nee Cowling, marked her return to the Bendigo FNL as coach of South Bendigo.
The Bloods led 14-11 at quarter-time and then dominated most of the second term to win it, 16-7.
A closely-fought third term went South Bendigo’s way, 15-14.
Storm kept working hard to score 12 goals in the last, but the Bloods added 14.
A high-scoring match ended in a 59-44 win for the red and white against the Jess Mangan-coached Storm.
Eaglehawk netted a 60-43 victory on Golden Square’s court in Wade Street.
After successful coaching stints at Kangaroo Flat and South Bendigo, Jannelle Hobbs has returned to the league as Eaglehawk’s coach.
The Hobbs-led era begun positively against the Teigan Redwood-coached Golden Square.
After winning the first quarter, 17-9, Eaglehawk led 30-17 by the long break.
The Bulldogs fired up to win the third term, 15-12, but the Hawks steadied across the final quarter.
By the final whistle Eaglehawk held a 17-goal buffer and claimed second place on the ladder.
It was a bye for the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst as Castlemaine is not fielding an A-grade team.
Standings in the Bendigo FNL A-grade netball competition:
Kangaroo Flat 177 per cent, 4 points; Eaglehawk 139, 4; South Bendigo 134, 4; Strathfieldsaye 74, 0; Golden Square 71, 0; Gisborne 56, 0; Sandhurst 0, 0.
Round two will be played on Good Friday from 2.30pm.
Eaglehawk faces a big test against Kangaroo Flat on the Hawks’ court in Canterbury Park.
Gisborne will be aiming to rebound from defeat when it plays South Bendigo at Gardiner Reserve.
Strathfieldsaye and Sandhurst clash at Triple M Park in Strathfieldsaye’s Tannery Lane.
It’s a bye for Golden Square in A-grade, but the Bulldogs will play Castlemaine in all other grades at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve.
Round one scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 34 lt Gisborne 45, South Bendigo 44 lt Strathfieldsaye 46, Golden Square 29 lt Eaglehawk 46, Sandhurst 72 d Castlemaine 33.
B-grade:
Kangaroo Flat 35 lt Gisborne 48, South Bendigo 43 d Strathfieldsaye 34, Golden Square 43 lt Eaglehawk 50, Sandhurst 70 d Castlemaine 31.
B-reserve:
Kangaroo Flat 40 lt Gisborne 46, South Bendigo 29 lt Strathfieldsaye 42, Golden Square 36 lt Eaglehawk 42, Sandhurst 83 d Castlemaine 3.
17-and-under:
Kangaroo Flat 30 lt Gisborne 54, South Bendigo 14 lt Strathfieldsaye 78, Golden Square 67 d Eaglehawk 17, Sandhurst 61 d Castlemaine 18.
League ladders:
A-reserve:
Sandhurst 218 per cent, 4 points; Eaglehawk 158, 4; Gisborne 132, 4; Strathfieldsaye 104, 4; South Bendigo 95, 0; Kangaroo Flat 75, 0; Golden Square 63, 0; Castlemaine 45, 0.
B-grade:
Sandhurst 225, 4; Gisborne 137, 4; South Bendigo 126, 4; Eaglehawk 116, 4; Golden Square 86, 0; Strathfieldsaye 79, 0; Kangaroo Flat 72, 0; Castlemaine 44, 0.
B-reserve:
Sandhurst 2766, 4; Strathfieldsaye 144, 4; Eaglehawk 116, 4; Gisborne 115, 4; Kangaroo Flat 86, 0; Golden Square 85, 0; South Bendigo 69, 0; Castlemaine 3, 0.
17-and-under:
Strathfieldsaye 557, 4; Golden Square 394, 4; Sandhurst 338, 4; Gisborne 180, 4; Kangaroo Flat 55, 0; Castlemaine 29, 0; Eaglehawk 25, 0; South Bendigo 17, 0;
