Netball
20 May, 2026
Demons hold off Rats, Saints extend streak
Horsham Saints extended their unbeaten run in emphatic fashion, Stawell broke through for its first win, and Dimboola returned to the winners’ circle.
Horsham has claimed its first away win and fourth of the season, defeating Ararat 65-59 in a tight contest.
The Demons were without veteran goal keeper Ebonie Salter, which put GA-turned-GD Georgia Batson in command of the defence as recruit Ginger Short slotted in to goal keeper.
However, Horsham looked like it was the home side at Alexandra Oval as Imogen Worthy scored the game’s first seven goals.
The Rats’ Laney McLoughlan helped cut the deficit down to four goals as the sides settled into rhythm.
It was a high-scoring opening quarter as both sides rarely missed; however, turnovers were detrimental for the hosts.
Worthy ended the first quarter with 14 goals as Horsham held a 22-15 lead at quarter-time.
The Rats showed why they are considered the competition's dark horse in the second quarter.
Through McLoughlan, and 2025 Hatcher Medal runner-up Maggie Astbury, Ararat clawed back the margin.
An 18-16 quarter to the hosts cut the deficit to five by the main break.
Both sides utilised their benches throughout the game, which continued at a blistering pace.
As the home crowd got behind the Rats, McLoughlan and Astbury brought the margin back to just three goals through a 15-13 third quarter.
With their backs against the wall, Demons’ coach Georgie Carberry said the message was simple.
“Our message at three-quarter-time was to just stay composed,” Carberry said.
“We knew we needed to keep our passes short due to the wet weather.”
The Rats drew level with less than 10 minutes to play and finally seized the lead with just six minutes remaining.
However, as in the game's opening, Horsham scored the next seven goals, outshooting the Rats 15-11 and winning by six goals.
Carberry praised the hard work of Batson and Short throughout the contest.
“Georgia is stepping up every week, she said.
“She’s becoming so strong and more confident each week in goal defence.
“Having Ebonie out meant we all needed to step up and I think Georgia did that.
“I think Ginger also brought so much positivity and energy to our team; her presence on the court was massive.
“She’s tight and has a strong body so it's a completely different dynamic when Ginger steps into the defence end.”
Imogen Worthy top-scored with 40 goals and was named best on court with Batson, while Carberry added 20.
For Ararat, McLoughlan finished with 34 while Astbury added 25.
Saints extend streak
Horsham Saints go into the bye with confidence following their 84-39 win against Minyip Murtoa.
Playing indoors, the reigning premiers were clinical from the first whistle and enjoyed a strong start against the winless Burras.
Through goalscoring powerhouse Jorja Clode, the hosts outscored the visitors 25-10 by the first break.
When they weren’t stretching the Burras' defence through Clode, the Saints were able to find Lene Marshman alone under the ring.
The Saints extended a 15-goal lead into 28 by the main break.
With the game in hand, the hosts gave some younger players court time in Lani King and Olivia Taylor while resting veterans Zeena Kalm and Shannon Cross.
The Saints continued to score at more than a goal a minute in the second half, adding 37 goals as they extended their lead.
In the end, Horsham Saints won by 45 goals, with Clode top-scoring for the round with 64 goals, while Marshman added 17.
For the Burras, Tamira Cullinan finished with 17 goals and Jenna Schneider (15) and Lucy Brand (seven) battled hard all day.
Stawell claimed its first win of the season, defeating Nhill 58-27.
Playing at Central Park’s newly opened courts, the Warriors came out blazing, scoring the first three goals.
The hosts were able to continue the momentum, taking an 8-3 lead midway through the quarter, and maintained the five-goal lead into the first break.
Stawell opened the second quarter by scoring six of the first seven goals as young gun Ayva Mitchell dominated in front of goal.
Mitchell scored 20 goals by half-time, helping the Warriors to hold a 30-15 half-time lead.
The scoring rate slowed down as the weather worsened.
However, the hosts were able to extend their lead out to 19 goals by the final break.
With victory in sight, Stawell continued to feed Mitchell, who shot accurately against multiple opponents.
Mitchell finished with 45 goals while midcourters Rachel Driscoll and Molly Orr were named best on court.
Ruby James and Zara Polkinghorne both scored 11 goals for the Tigers while defenders Emma Schilling and Ashleigh Batson were named best on court.
Dimboola returned to the winners' circle with a commanding 47-23 win against Southern Mallee Thunder.
Coach Ant Toet said she was happy to secure the four premiership points in testing conditions.
“It was a good win with everyone hitting the court and some different combinations over the game,” she said.
“We are very pleased given the conditions and to get the girls back on track after their narrow loss the week prior.”
Playing at home, the Roos held the Thunder to a single goal in the opening quarter and took an 11-goal lead into the first break.
While the visitors were able to add six more goals in the first half, Dimboola enjoyed its highest-scoring quarter with 14 goals and extended its lead to 19 by half-time.
A 10-6 third quarter gave Dimboola its biggest lead of the game, ahead by 23 goals at the final break.
The Thunder outscored the Roos 10-9 in the final quarter as the hosts made wholesale changes to their lineup.
At the final whistle, Dimboola won by 24 goals, with Olivia Beugelaar top-scoring with 25 goals, supported by Nicole Polycarpou with 19.
Beugelaar and Eloise Wills, who defended well all game, were named best on court for the Roos.
Phoebe Bigham led the Thunder with 15 goals while Kierra Schumann and Luca Landrigan added six and two, respectively.
Defenders Sydney Thorogood, who matched up on Beugelaar for most of the game, and Connie Rule were named best on court for the visitors.
“Syd and Connie’s reach made our girls think about their feeds and placement into the ring as well as our rebounding positions,” Toet said.
“At the other end, Steph (Stephanie Glover) and Didge (Bridget Dorrington) shut down Thunder’s goalies very well in the first half before we swung Eloise (Wills) into defence.”