Netball
24 May, 2025
Ararat harness the Thunder
It was a great hitout on the court as Southern Mallee Thunder took on the Ararat Rats in a competitive and high-intensity match last Saturday.
Despite Thunder’s strong efforts, Ararat came away with the win, finishing 51-42.
Both teams showcased impressive skill and teamwork, but it was the Rats who capitalised on key moments and made the most of Thunder’s small errors throughout the game.
These lapses proved costly, allowing Ararat to gradually build a lead.
Emma Mill stood out for Thunder with a fantastic performance in goals, showing accuracy and composure under pressure.
In defence, Sydney Thorogood was a vocal presence, helping to organise the back line and apply pressure to Ararat’s accurate shooters.
Codie Sanford presented strongly in the midcourt alongside Jodie Hayes.
While it wasn’t the result Thunder were after, the match provided valuable experience and signs of promise moving forward in the season.
Final score: Ararat 51 defeated Thunder 42
Awards: Codie Sanford and Emma Mill
Moddies
Despite a cold start to the game, everyone played well.
By the third quarter they had settled into the game, chasing up loose balls, intercepting passes and getting lots of turnovers.
Hayden and Tamani played their first Moddies game, making their presence known around the court.
Emma, Kaija and Lilah worked hard in defence, getting their hands on rebounds and loose balls.
With Adalyn, Ellerdy and Matilda T starting to move into spaces and make leads, the ball flowed down the court.
Scarlett and Til H were the leading goalies, moving the ball around the ring.
What a great game to watch.
Each player tried their absolute hardest despite the cold conditions and should be proud of their efforts.
The Moddies team walked away with a win of 11-2
Awards: Adalyn Clugston and Emma Saul
Under 13s
After a nailbiting draw the previous week, the under 13 Thunder girls came out determined to go one better against Ararat, and they did just that in true Thunder style.
Braving icy winds and constant rain, the girls showed incredible grit, focus and teamwork in tough conditions to secure their first win of the season.
Right from the first whistle, the team settled confidently into the wet-weather play.
With each quarter bringing a fresh challenge from the elements, the Thunder girls adapted brilliantly, never missing a beat.
Their ability to adjust their game style and maintain composure was a real highlight of the match.
In attack, the team were switched on from the get go.
There were some lovely passages of play leading into the shooting ring, with Sophie, Emily and Pippa Shannon working cleverly around the edge, feeding strong, accurate passes to Ava and Felicity.
The goalers found space beautifully and read each other well, connecting with some smart passes and confident shooting that helped keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Defensively, Thunder were just as impressive.
Elka, Pippa Fisher, Amelia and Mia brought relentless pressure to Ararat’s attack, causing plenty of turnovers and intercepts that gave the team valuable possession.
Their timing, anticipation and commitment were key to keeping Ararat from finding their rhythm.
One of the most pleasing aspects of the game was the strong use of voice across the court: a skill the girls have been working hard on at training.
It was great to see that effort paying off as they communicated effectively and supported each other throughout all four quarters.
This was a true team performance, with every player giving their all and contributing to a hard-fought and well-earned victory.
Congratulations, Thunder girls: your first win of the season and a deserved one at that.
Final score: Thunder 37 defeated Ararat 12
Awards: Sophie Frankel, Felicity Keller and Elka Huf
Under 15s
Typical Ararat weather showed up for round five and unfortunately the wet, cold and slippery conditions didn’t favour the 15s girls this week.
A few changes to the starting line-up this round were exciting and the girls adapted really well.
Throughout the game plenty of changes were made, and although the girls were behind on the scoreboard they never gave up, which is all a coach can ask for.
Where possible, the girls chased balls down and applied pressure down the court.
Tough day out, however.
This means Thunder have plenty to work on and look forward to next weekend.
Final score: Ararat 46 defeated Thunder 6
Awards: Giaan Eckermann and Dakota Siepolt
Under 17s
It was a tough game for the girls this week, with rainy, cold conditions and versing a strong team, only just letting the mercy rule go into play halfway through the last quarter, the final score being 75 to 16.
The girls were using their channels and leading to the ball well, as they have been working on at training.
The best this week went to Phoebe Bigham, who worked amazingly in the ring, holding her positions and scoring 10 goals out of her 11 goal attempts.
Belle Heath got second best.
She worked hard, getting many intercepts and making space, leading to the ball when needed.
Final score: Ararat 75 defeated Thunder 16
Awards: Phoebe Bigham and Belle Heath
C grade
Round five saw a change in the weather conditions Thunder had been used to.
It was a cold and wet day down in Ararat.
C grade started strongly from the first whistle.
Temporary player Shelby Appledore worked seamlessly with her little sister Bronte in the goal ring.
It was goal for goal the whole game.
Jade had the ball on a string in WA with some unreal feeding and movement.
The girls had some beautiful passages of play and each week the connections build stronger.
Whole-court defence created some great pressure, shutting down the Rats quickly.
The final quarter felt like a grand final as the intensity lifted but Thunder hung on long enough to walk away with a one-goal win.
Final score: Thunder 33 defeated Ararat 32
Awards: Jade Box and Bronte Eckermann
B grade
It was a nail-iting game in nothing short of freezing conditions to kick off an eventful round five.
Shelby Donnan's return was felt at both ends of the court with impactful play in both GS and GK.
Accurate shooting by all goalies kept the Thunder in the game, making the most of the defenders' hard work and relentless intercepting.
B grade debutante Coco Landrigan impressed in the mid-court with accurate passes into the ring, while Tia Credlin later stunned onlookers by pulling on the WA bib.
Despite falling just short of the four points, no heads were dropped and spirits remain high approaching round six.
Final score: Ararat 43 defeated Thunder 41
Awards: Issy Allan, Brooke Rentsch and Shelby Donnan