Both teams got away to a good start, with a close result looking inevitable right from the beginning. 

Ararat Eagles certainly had more ball possession during the first quarter but were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard.  They took a one goal advantage into the first quarter huddle. 

The game continued much the same for the second quarter, but it was Caramut’s turn to make a mark on the scoreboard. 

Goal attack Carmel Meade was lively around the goal circle and she was provided with plenty of opportunities during the quarter, finishing off some good play through the mid court. 

The difference still stood at one at the main break, but it was Caramut that was in front at this stage. 

Ararat Eagles’ Tayla Notting was moved into goal defence while Jordyn Leggett went to goal attack for the quarter. 

Tayla provided some extra strength in the circle for the home team and was able to pull off some great intercepts. She is athletic around the court and continued to provide drive through the mid court in her role at goal defence. She was named her team’s best player. 

Caramut continued to play systematically down the court and while scoring wasn’t always accurate, it was able to retain their lead at the three quarter time break. 

Hannah Delaney played a solid game at wing attack for Caramut and she was recognised for her contribution by being named among the best. 

Ararat Eagles continued to change their team around for the last quarter which may have been their undoing. Abby Driscoll was consistent in her roles at wing attack and centre for Ararat Eagles. 

Caramut had a great last quarter, led by Carmel in the goal circle. This earned the Swans their first premiership points for the season, running out three goal winners 38-35.

Tatyoon had a big 64-35 win against Lismore-Derrinallum to retain fourth position on the A grade ladder.  

The Hawks got away to a blinder and could have been even further in front had they scored accurately. The defence work of Tatyoon was amazing as it continually repelled the attacking drives of their opponent. 

Zoe Astbury (GD) and Simone King (GD) were able to restrict the Demons’ scoring opportunities with some strong defensive work both in and around the circle.

Tatyoon had established an eight goal lead at quarter time. 

The second quarter was played out the same as the first with Tatyoon finding its way into the circle too easily. 

The dual between centre players Jane Astbury (T) and Tessa Jacob (LD) was a highlight. Both players are strong at the ball and deliver it accurately into their team mates. Jane and Tessa created movement through the corridor for their respective teams with both being named among the best.

Tatyoon’s lead had pushed out to 18 goals at the half time interval. The Hawks were in a fortunate position and able to move their team around, with Lauren McCarthy coming into the game at goal shooter, Simone King moving out to goal defence and Hannah Astbury moving into the goal keeper position. 

The third quarter was by far the closest in the match, with the Demons playing a far more settled game resulting in more goals on the scoreboard. 

Goal keeper, Vicky French worked hard in defence for Lismore-Derrinallum and took numerous rebounds under the ring. She was named in her team’s best. Tatyoon pushed its lead out by one more to 19 at three quarter time. 

Tatyoon continued to move its team around which paid dividends as they scored 19 goals for the term. It was a much better quarter of netball for the Hawks, and they recorded a comfortable 29 -goal victory.

In a high scoring encounter, Penshurst scored the four points in its match against SM&W Rovers to consolidate the third position on the premiership table. 

Stephanie Franklin led the way for the Bombers with a sterling performance at goal attack. She was well supported by goal shooter Penny Mather, who shot nine from nine in the first quarter and ensured Penshurst took a six goal margin to the first break. 

Spectators were treated to a great dual in the centre between Kate Higgins (SMW) and Melanie Robertson (P). Both players are dynamic and vital to their respective team’s transition from defence into attack. 

SM&W Rovers defence certainly tightened up in the second quarter and were able to pick off some of Penshurst’s passes into the circle. 

Peta Byrne dominated the circle for the Bulldogs, finishing off some great passes in from Joanne Read at goal attack. Penny Mather increased her work load as her tussle with Angela Brain became a highlight. Both players played pivotal roles for their team, with Angela being named among the best for SM&W Rovers. 

Penshurst was able to extend its lead by a further three, making it nine goals the difference at the main break. The Bombers made some changes to its team during the third quarter, with Bethany Mirtschin coming into the game at wing defence. 

The third quarter was similar to the second with some strong passages of play by both teams. However, Penshurst was able to take that timely intercept and cause a defensive turnover, resulting in an additional goal for them. 

Joanne Read had increased her work rate at goal attack for the home team and finished truly on numerous occasions. The lead had pushed out to 12 goals at the final break. 

The last quarter belonged to SM&W Rovers, who were able to get their free running game into motion with Peta and Joanne finishing off well. 

However, Penshurst was able to withstand the comeback from the opposition to run out eight goal winners.

Glenthompson-Dunkeld got away to an absolute flyer in its match against Wickliffe-Lake Bolac. 

The great start by the Rams had the Pies chasing for the rest of the match, which was much more evenly poised after the first quarter. 

Madison Kelly (GA) has been in startling form in the goals for Glenthompson-Dunkeld so far this season and she put in another stellar performance. She is quick around the court and generally finishes off accurately.  She teams well with Eve Duckmanton at goal shooter and brings some added zip to the Rams’ attack. 

Her team had opened up a very handy nine goal lead at quarter time. The Magpies’ Kerrie Dendle (GA) increased her work rate during the second quarter and became a scoring target for the home team. 

Rams’ Sue Balkin Mitchell (GK) was playing a tight defensive game on her opponent and was eliminating her as an option in the circle. Sue’s ability to pick off timely turnovers combined with Nikayla’s strong defensive pressure make them a formidable duo. 

Glenthompson-Dunkeld’s lead had pushed out to 14 at the main break. 

Laura Pyke came into the game at centre for the third quarter as did Stephanie Lamont at goal keeper.

Play continued much the same in the third as the previous two but with added positivity. Wickliffe-Lake Bolac started to hit its targets which had a positive outcome on the scoreboard. 

Julie Templeton was dynamic through the mid court for the Rams and her delivery into the circle was of a high standard. Julie is busy around the circle and provides plenty of added drive to the Rams’ attacking combination. She was named her team’s best player. 

The score for the third quarter was much more even as the Magpies applied more pressure over the court.  The difference was 17 at the final break. Glenthompson-Dunkeld continued to move their team around for the last quarter as they work out their best combinations. 

Again, it was an even quarter with both teams playing some good netball.  The Rams went on to record an 18-goal victory.

Hawkesdale-Macarthur had a resounding win over its opponent Great Western at Macarthur, winning by 40 goals. The Eagles haven’t started their games well so far this season, so they were certainly keen to begin well in this game - which they did. 

It was a solid contribution from all players as the ball made its way into the hands of Rebecca Kavanagh (GS) and Georgia Martin (GA) at an alarming rate.  Both players enjoyed their opportunities and finished off accurately. Georgia was named her team’s best in a great four quarter performance. 

Hawkesdale-Macarthur, in a high scoring quarter, had opened up a 14-goal lead going into the first break.  Nicole Hunt came into the game for the Eagles at wing defence and provided some attacking drives through the mid court for the home team. 

Courtney Morrow worked tirelessly in the centre for Great Western but was unable to penetrate the Eagles’ tight defence. 

Sally O’Keefe is enjoying a good season with Hawkesdale-Macarthur in her role as goal defence as she contests the ball keenly and times her intercepts well. She showed her versatility by going to goal shooter for the third quarter and shooting a massive 16 goals for the quarter. She was named among her team’s best. 

The Eagles held a massive 34-goal lead at three quarter time. Great Western stuck at its  task and saved its best netball for the last quarter. They played with more conviction and were able to find their range in the circle which assisted them on the score board.   

Karina Bellman provided drive through the mid court for them at wing defence, competing strongly at the contests. She made her opponent work for her possessions. Hawkesdale-Macarthur continued to change its team around for the last quarter and it eventually claimed a comfortable 40-goal win. 

Woorndoo-Mortlake retain second position on the ladder following a strong win over Moyston-Willaura. 

The Tigers are playing some great netball early in the season and started this match brilliantly. 

The attack duo of Jessica Cameron (GA) and Sarah Cameron (GS) is paying dividends as both girls team strongly and deliver the ball quickly and smartly to each other. Both players are reasonably accurate under the ring and compete well for rebounds when required. Sarah has featured in the best most weeks and was again named in the best for this match. 

The Tigers had an 11-goal advantage at quarter time. Moyston-Willaura changed around its attack and defence slightly to create some much needed drive in the attacking zone as well as some defensive pressure on Sarah in the goal circle. 

Zanetta Hosking became livelier at goal attack for Moyston-Willaura as she tried to ignite some forward pressure on the opposition. 

Unfortunately this was unable to be reflected on the scoreboard, with Woorndoo-Mortlake going into the half time break with a handy 19-goal lead. Both teams played around with their original line-ups as the Tigers brought Chris Moran (WA) and Kylie Ware (GD) into the game for the first time, while Chloe Dunmore came on as goal shooter for Moyston-Willaura. 

This was a much closer quarter of netball, as players took time to settle into their respective roles. 

Lauren Armstrong worked consistently through the centre corridor for Moyston-Willaura, setting up numerous attacking movements. She delivered the ball accurately into the circle and was named among her team’s best. 

The Tigers pushed their lead out by two more to have a 21-goal advantage at the final break. Play continued much the same in the last quarter with spectators witnessing a much closer brand of netball. 

Woorndoo-Mortlake was able to extend its lead by two in the last quarter and it went on to win by 23 goals in what was a high standard game of netball.