Sport
23 May, 2025
Warriors take positives from loss
The Stawell Warriors A-grade netballers took positives from their 10-goal loss to the Nhill Tigers at Davis Park in round five of the Wimmera Football Netball League.
Missing Lauren Homden and Rita Dyer from their lineup, the Warriors started brilliantly, taking a one-goal lead into quarter time.
The Tigers then started to take control in the second, scoring 20 goals to eight to lead by nine at the main break.
The Warriors battled hard in the third quarter, reducing the margin to eight at three-quarter time, but the experienced Tigers were too good, running out 54-44 winners.
Holly Graveson led the way for the Warriors with 29 goals while Ayva Mitchell scored 13 and Jemma Clarkson, 2.
Warriors coach, Jemma Clarkson said it was a disappointing loss.
“We were hopeful to get a win, but it wasn’t to be, so it’s disappointing,” Clarkson said.
“We started well in the first quarter and just couldn’t hang onto it and we didn’t seem to have the fight we usually have.
“It’s evident that we had a young team and I spoke to them after the game that this season is about building and learning and taking from these opportunities what we do next, and how we can bounce back and get a win.”
Clarkson was able to try a few different combinations during the game, such as herself and Holly [Graveson] in goals as well as Ayva Mitchell and Graveson and was able to try defensive combinations that they haven’t used before.
The other positive to take out of the game was the performance of youngster Alana Graveson.
In round one against the Southern Mallee Thunder, Graveson made her debut and played the second half, but in this game, she got a lot more court time and Clarkson praised her performance and attitude.
“We were able to give her more of an opportunity against a bigger team to play and run those nerves out in an A-grade situation,” Clarkson said.
“She listened beautifully to instructions and tried her best to implement what was asked of her and as a coach you can’t ask more than that from your players. She gave 100% and kept fighting.”
The Warriors will now host the Horsham Demons at Central Park on Saturday. The Demons are not their prolific selves, sitting fourth on the ladder with three wins and Clarkson knows they can’t be underestimated due to their solid history.
“They always seem to find a way to win matches, and we will be making sure we go out there fighting to give ourselves the best possible chance to win,” Clarkson said.
“It will also be about learning from one of the benchmarks of the competition so hopefully we go out there and give it a good fight.”
Rita Dyer will return to the team and Lauren Homden is unlikely to return due to a knee injury.
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