By Justin Schwarze
ROC got its season back on track at home with a convincing result over Gembrook Cockatoo in round 5 of the Outer East Premier A Grade Netball competition.
The Kangaroos bounced out of the gates to a 21-7 first quarter advantage, setting up the remainder of the match.
In the second, the hosts once again were too good, outscoring the Brookers 14-6 to further widen the halftime gap to 35-13.
The visitors closed out the match very positively, only allowing 14 more ROC goals the rest of the way, while scoring 21 themselves.
It was a well-balanced attack for the Kangaroos, with Isabella O’Shanassy converting 16 goals, Courtney Davey putting in 13, Gemma Stacey scoring 12 and Lily O’Kelly contributing eight.
Brylee O’Neil was fantastic as usual for Gembrook, while she was backed up valiantly by Carla Crowley and Sarah Delaney in defeat.
In a top-of-the-table clash, Mount Evelyn got the better of Emerald in a comfortable 37-50 result on the road.
The second period is where the visitors separated themselves, outscoring the Bombers 6-18 in the term.
Ava Upton’s 21 goals and all-around performance led the Rovers, while Krista Tomlinson, Brodie Smith and Casey Rhodes-Anderson were all superb for the hosts.
Monbulk jumped to second by sparking a high-powered attack and smashing Healesville away 44-74.
Leading 35-55 at three quarter time, the Hawks did not take their foot off the gas and took the final frame 9-19 to gain handy percentage.
Peri Read was magnificent, shooting 55 goals and was among the visitors’ best.
She remains the competition’s most prolific goalscorer, with an incredible 233 goals through five games.
Wandin rolled Olinda Ferny Creek thanks to 51 goals from Emmalia Blake, resulting in a 38-60 win for the Bulldogs.
Soph Hennessy, Eloise Argoon and Mera Pringle put in noteworthy performances for the Bloods.
Haylee Wilcox inspired Woori Yallock’s 55-40 home triumph over Upwey Tecoma with her 37 goals and top-tier field play.
Amber Thorn and Hayley O’Neill were also excellent with the ball in their hands for the hosts.
In Division 1, Warburton Millgrove took advantage of its home ground, smashing Powelltown 81-9.
The goalscoring load was distributed, with Jordana Butcher scoring 30, Bianca Daniels notching 26 and Karly Wappett converting 25.
Belgrave were victorious in a game against Yea that went right down to the wire.
After being behind 12-3 at quarter time, the Tigers rallied to take the second 10-21 and led at the main break 22-24.
The Magpies bounced back, narrowly outscoring their opponents 13-11 in the third to draw scores level at 35 entering the final quarter.
In the fourth, Belgrave rode a big game from Annaliese Carroll to claim the 46-43 intense win.
Yarra Glen was too good for Alexandra on the road, stringing together a complete four-quarter effort to overrun the Rebels 47-71.
Seville moved to 5-0 with a solid 32-66 result when visiting Yarra Junction.
The Blues took a 16-30 lead into halftime, before outscoring the Eagles 6-19 in the third and never looked back.
Ashlyn Elliott, Emily Wicks and Genesis Foster-Jonassen were among Seville’s best for the day.
First-placed Pakenham had the bye in round 5.
