Ararat Football Netball Club improved upon its round one performances as the footballers and netballers travelled to face Minyip Murtoa.
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Ararat's netballers got their first points of the season by winning a 39-36 thriller on Saturday, April 24.
A Grade coach Rebecca Skrabl said the team had refined its forward play since facing Stawell on Good Friday.
"Our goal end was much better this week," she said.
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"We've really been focusing on driving the ball into attack. Delaney McLoughlan put up some nice goals and Jesse Bligh fed her really well."
While Ararat held a 10-goals lead at half-time, Minyip Murtoa began to play more like the side of two seasons ago as the game progressed.
Their comeback was also precipitated by Ararat's problems with injuries and illness.
"Fitness started playing against us and they started closing the gap," Skrabl said.
"A couple of girls weren't well and we had two out (due to injuries).
"It just means you can't bring on fresh legs and change positions to bring that extra boost.
"But some of the younger girls really stepped up."
A similarly stern test awaits Ararat in round three, as they face 2019 grand finalists Horsham.
Horsham have started the 2021 season incredibly strong, with a 49-goal win over Nhill in round one, and a 28-goal win against Horsham Saints in round two.
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The match will also rekindle an old rivalry, as Ararat and Horsham competed in 21 consecutive grand finals between 1974-94.
Skrabl said despite the challenge Horsham posed, she was eager for the team to concentrate on their own game.
"Horsham is a little bit of a tough one, they're always really strong," she said.
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"It would be nice to have a full team but I don't think we're going to for a couple of weeks yet.
"We just want to focus on what we've been working on and really tough it out."
Ararat's footballers acquitted themselves well against a formidable Minyip Murtoa side in the Senior division.
Minyip Murtoa had continued the form that saw them go unbeaten in 2019 by blitzing past Warrack Eagles 159-29 in round one.
Ararat would lose 110-60, although the margin might have been less if not for Minyip Murtoa's pinpoint shooting, as they kicked 17.8, including 6.0 in the first quarter.
Samuel Summers was named best on ground for Ararat, while Henry Shea also gave an impressive debut to earn three points in the club's best and fairest race as well.
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