By Russell Bennett
WEST GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL NETBALL COMPETITION
REVIEW – ROUND 13
Kooweerup has continued to solidify itself as an A Grade force to be reckoned with after an impressive, stirring win over reigning premier Dalyston at Denhams Road on Saturday.
The Demons jumped out to a seven-goal lead by quarter-time, which they extended to 13 at the main break.
From there, the girls from the home side kept their composure against one of the most accomplished sides in Gippsland to ultimately secure a 12-goal victory, 40-28.
The result was just the latest in a strong form-line for Scott Eastwood’s side dating back to the start of the season.
The Demons defeated the vastly-improved Inverloch Kongwak by two goals in Round 2, 31-29, before succumbing to the Magpies in Dalyston by just four goals in Round 4 (45-41).
They then defeated another genuine West Gippsland powerhouse in Round 5 with their 10-goal win over Korumburra-Bena, 48-38, before recording a comfortable win over Bunyip in Round 7, 61-36, and a hard-fought victory over Nar Nar Goon at Spencer Street in Round 8 – 42-38.
Another win over the likely finals-bound Sea Eagles at Inverloch in Round 11 – 47-43 – was a precursor to Saturday’s win.
Eastwood spoke to the Gazette about his group’s work ethic following its significant Round 5 triumph over the Magpies’ famous rivals, the Giants.
“I said after the game that when you’re in front and have done the hard work, you’ve got to want to stay there and keep pushing forward and not be comfortable,” he said.
“The upside to the girls is quite big in my opinion.
“If we can play 60 minutes of sustained netball the way we want to play it, well I don’t know what the potential (of the group) is.”
Eastwood has been involved with netball for around 30 years and has played for Victoria in the National Men’s Championships. Most recently he coached ROC for six seasons – involved with the under-17s, and also A and B Grade.
In local netballing circles, he’s been there and done that.
“Obviously being new to the competition, it’s been a bit of an eye-opener just how strong those teams (Dalyston, Korumburra-Bena, and Phillip Island) are,” he said.
The Demons, clearly, have now opened a few eyes in their own right and are the obvious contender from the northern-most sides in the competition.
Elsewhere across the competition, the girls from the Goon backed up their Round 4 performance against Cora Lynn with another big win over their local rivals, 69-46.
But the Cobras more than held their own across the grades – claiming wins in B Grade, C Grade, the under-17s, the under-15s, and the under-13s.
They also recently celebrated a series of milestones across the grades, with Tyra Schade – the grand-daughter of club life members John and Joan Hester – notching up 100 games; Emily Webster playing her 150th; and 19-year-old Karla Brook playing her 250th game at the club in addition to also representing the zone and competition at higher levels. She’s been playing at the club since the age of 10, and is currently an A Grade player, an umpire, and a co-coach of the under-15 side alongside her sister Emily.
In the other games across Round 13 on Saturday, the Giants recorded a commanding 31-goal win over the Sea Eagles in Inverloch 54-23; Phillip Island demolished Garfield 111-16; and Bunyip defeated the Panthers by 19 goals at Bass, 51-32.
