By Marcus Uhe
The big names of Outer East netball all flexed their collective muscle over the weekend as Wandin remains the team to beat.
An unfair battle between the top and bottom sides played out as expected as the Bulldogs thrashed Gembrook Cockatoo by 43 goals at home, 69-26.
The Bulldogs used their height disadvantage to run rings around their opponents and move the ball with speed to find superstar Emmalia Blake close to goal.
Staying deep in the circle, Blake scored 57 goals in the thrashing as the Bulldogs cashed-in on vital percentage.
At the other end of the court, Wandin’s length in defence forced the Brookers backwards and sideways, before eventually forcing a turnover.
They eventually settled for long shots, which held-up in the wind, and did little to make inroads to the Bulldogs’ scoreboard supremacy.
Chelsea Ingram scored 22 of Gembrook Cockatoo’s 26 goals.
Hot on Wandin’s heels are both Narre Warren and Mt Evelyn.
Beaconsfield’s defence held Narre Warren to its second-lowest score of the season, but a late game fade-out prevented them from taking an opportunity to claim a scalp.
Beaconsfield made a promising start to the contest, holding a one-goal lead at the half before the Magpies showed their class in the second half, scoring 26 goals to 10.
The Eagles managed just one goal in the final term as the Magpies finished victors 43-28.
In her first A-Grade game for 2023, Grace Ioelu led the Magpies in scoring with 20 goals, as did Zara Treweek for Beaconsfield with 16.
40 goals to Rory Barr powered Mt Evelyn to a 22-goal victory as Berwick’s poor season continued, having now lost six in a row.
The Rovers held Berwick to a total of just 12 goals through the first three quarters while scoring 31 themselves, as the Rovers went on to double Berwick’s score.
Pakenham’s two-game win streak came to a close at the hands of reigning premiers Olinda Ferny Creek, which flew out of the blocks early and never looked back.
Olinda Ferny Creek extended its lead at every break in the 18-goal victory 51-33, as the absence of Eliza Molino was evident for Pakenham at Toomuc Reserve.
The inexperienced duo of Mia Washington and Charlotte Hudolin, both in their first A Grade games for 2023, were forced to carry the shooting responsibilities for the Lions, scoring 10 and 23 goals respectively, while superstar Hayley Howard nailed 37 for the visitors.
While at Upwey Tecoma, a strong second half from the Hawks saw Monbulk fly away with the points.
Ahead by just three goals at the half, Monbulk outscored the Tigers 30-14 in the second half to pull away with a win, thanks to 52 to Peri Reid.
