Gallery | Goulburn Valley storms home late to triumph over rival

By Aydin Payne

May 29, 2022

A stirring final-quarter performance was enough for Goulburn Valley League to triumph by five goals against Ovens and Murray in the Open netball decider.

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Onlookers were treated to a pulsating, see-sawing and physical contest on Saturday as GVL overran its rival to pencil in a thrilling 44-39 victory.

Down by one goal at the last break, Goulburn Valley — led by Seymour defensive stars Nakita Singe and Sarah Szczykulski — rallied late to put up a match-winning 13-7 fourth quarter.

Tight defence: Ovens and Murray goaler Grace Senior and Goulburn Valley’s Sarah Szczykulski. Photo by Aydin Payne

Echuca playing coach Steph Vick shone through the midcourt, along with Belinda Lees, while Shepparton United maestro Jessie Barnes was clinical in goals.

Winning coach and Mooroopna mentor Di Hanslow said her team lifted when the match was up for grabs.

“Our senior girls really stepped up and led the way,” Hanslow said.

“Early on when the ball hit the deck we really weren’t first to the ball, but in the last quarter I felt we were first to virtually every single one.

I’m open: Jessie Barnes calls for the ball. Photo by Aydin Payne

“We asked the girls to go out there and give us everything for 15 minutes, that’s all you need to give us. Bust everything and find everything you’ve got for 15 minutes and that should get you over the line and to their credit they did.

“It was a great victory for the region.”

Hanslow, who was assisted on the day by netball guru Julie Hoornweg, praised the efforts of Singe and Szczykulski.

Who wants it? Steph Vick waits for a teammate to get open. Photo by Aydin Payne

The duo curbed the influence of Ovens and Murray’s gun shooter Grace Senior in that final quarter.

“Nakita Singe was just phenomenal,” she said.

“Unfortunately I didn’t take the stats for how many turnovers Nakita and Sarah took in that last quarter, but Nakita would have had to have taken six or seven easily.

“We were able to capitalise on the other end with our attackers able to consolidate their strategies a bit better.

Focused: Jess Lallo gets ready to catch the ball. Photo by Aydin Payne

“I thought Steph (Vick) was a driving force through the midcourt. It was also great to see our youngsters come on early and do a fantastic job.”

With an abundance of elite talent on both outfits’ roster, it was no wonder the clash at Mooroopna was neck-and-neck until the final siren.

Finding space: Molly Kennedy finds some open air. Photo by Aydin Payne

Senior helped get the visitors off to a stellar start in the opening term.

The Corowa-Rutherglen goaler shot 19 of Ovens and Murray’s 23 goals to half-time.

Goulburn Valley trailed at the first break by a single goal, which was the margin for majority of the contest.

On the lookout: Olivia Sinclair tries to find an open teammate. Photo by Aydin Payne

Hanslow said the superb quality of netball on offer boiled down to the sheer class of the players out on the court.

“For the GV, there was only one person who took to the court who hasn’t or isn’t playing VNL at the moment,” she said.

“And I know that O&M had a similar number of VNL players in their squad, which is why you saw the quality of netball on display.

“I would say that would have to be the one of strongest interleague games that we have had because of those type of players. It was very exciting netball that’s for sure. It’s a shame that more people weren’t here watching because it really did showcase the level of netballers we have in our region at the moment.”