Netball
1 July, 2025
Demons outlast Rats, Roos make a statement
Horsham and Ararat played out the closest game of netball in round 10 of the WFNL A grade competition.
Just like round one, the teams played in unfamiliar heat, in stark contrast to more recent games where temperatures failed to reach double figures.
The pace and physicality of the contest were equally as hot, with both sides eager to grab the critical four premiership points.
With finals only eight weeks away, Demons' co-coaches Eb Salter and Georgie Carberry said the win was vital.
"They match us well, one on one," Salter said.
"We knew today was going to be tough… they really brought it to us.”
The visitors took the lead early in the game and maintained the margin until the last minute of the quarter when Imogen Worthy shot the last five goals to give the Demons a 13-10 lead at the first break.
Despite never regaining the lead for the rest of the game, Ararat's tenacious attack on the ball meant Horsham couldn't relax.
Ararat, boasting Paige and Faith Biddle in defence, gave Horsham plenty of headaches throughout the game.
The former Ararat Eagles premiership players tipped and intercepted numerous passes into the home side's shooting circle, allowing the Rats to counter attack swiftly.
Throughout the game, the Rats choked the wings, forcing Horsham to move the ball through the middle of the court, which allowed the Biddle sisters to utilise their reach and athleticism to impact play.
“[Imogen and Georgia Batson] are really strong,” Salter said.
“They're both very aerial. They've both got great range. They're both excellent rebounders.
“We're finding that the clubs are having to try and really break down our game.
“That's what we've been working hard on, just trying to stay one foot in front and adjust our game as we go.”
In the second half, Horsham’s class began to show; through calculated pace and passing, the defending premiers extended its lead.
“[Possessions are] so much more precious every time you get the ball,” Carberry said.
“You need to look after the ball, and you have to take advantage of it every time.”
Worthy finished with 31 goals at 84 per cent accuracy, while Batson added 17 goals (90%).
Jorja Jones at wing defence was named best on the court for the victors, while goalkeeper Sienna Manserra received praise for her match-up against Rats’ Laney McLoughlan, who shot 16 goals (53%).
Maggie Astbury top scored for the visitors with 25 goals (70%), while the Biddle sisters were named best on court.
Meanwhile, Southern Mallee Thunder leapfrogged Ararat into fourth place following a decisive 65-38 win against Stawell.
The Warriors looked strong in the opening quarter, missing only one shot in the opening five minutes of play to grab a 4-2 lead.
However, through turnovers and accurate shooting, the visitors were able to claw back, taking the lead at points, before going into the first break down 13-12.
The Thunder grabbed the lead with the first five goals of the second quarter and never allowed Stawell to retake the lead for the rest of the game.
At the main break, Steph Thomson had shot 20 goals for SMT, and the visitors held a 30-22 lead.
Stawell made several changes in the second half to limit the Thunders’ midcourt dominations; however, the hosts were unable to make an impact on the scoreboard.
In the third quarter, Southern Mallee Thunder doubled its lead and were in control of the match.
At the final whistle, the visitors won by 27 goals, with Thomson finishing with 48 goals (77%), while Emma Mill added 17 (77%).
Warriors goal shooter Holly Graveson finished with 30 goals (75%), while Alannah Deutsher was a workhorse in the midcourt.
Horsham Saints defeated Nhill by 47 goals on the road in a resounding 89-42 win on the road.
The competition’s leading goal scorer, Jorja Clode, shot 22 goals for the Saints in only 20 minutes of play, allowing the Saints to move junior Lena Marshman into goal shooter.
Marshman shot 32 goals (78%), while Abby Hallam topped the game with 35 goals (76%).
The former was named best on court for the Saints alongside Maddi Bethune, whose defensive work against the Tigers’ leading goal shooter, Ruby James (26 goals at 74%), set the tone for the game.
Dimboola topped the league in round 10 with 90 goals against Minyip Murtoa, maintaining its hold on third place on the ladder.
The Roos continued to rotate its frontcourt duo, with Maddi Marra, Nicole Polycarpou and Olivia Beugelaar creating different combinations throughout the game.
Marra and Polycarpou each finished with 31 goals (89%), while Beugelaar added 28 (88%).
However, it was the host’s defenders who had the most impact, with midcourter Paige Glover and goal defence Stephanie Glover earning best on court accolades.
Lauren Dodgshun was valiant for the Burras in goal defence, while Jessica Newell added 22 goals (63%).
