Netball
28 July, 2025
Dimboola stuns Horsham to shake up netball finals race
Dimboola sent a strong message to the WFNL A-grade netball competition with a resounding 52-47 victory over reigning premiers Horsham.
Playing in wet conditions, both sides' resolve was tested until the final whistle, with the game in the balance until the final minutes of the contest.
Olivia Beugelaar top-scored for the Roos with 32 goals at 68 per cent accuracy, and in the absence of Nicole Polycarpou, Maddison Marra added 20 goals (71%).
Dimboola co-coach Ant Toet said following Marra was exceptional, filling Polycarpou's shoes.
"Maddi was up to the challenge," she said.n
"She doesn't normally play in goals, but she's a tough nut.
"The tall, holding goal shooter is a focus for the opposition, so having Maddi in there as a moving goalie makes the opponents guess a little bit more."
Playing Marra at goal attack allowed Dimboola to press Horsham, limiting its transition and slowing down play.
"We had a game plan and we stuck to it," Toet said.
"We only went down by three last time we played them. We've improved a lot since then."
At the other end of the court, Dimboola defenders Stephanie Glover and Bridget Dorrington applied pressure on Demons' duo of Georgia Batson (24 goals at 89%) and Imogen Worthy (25 goals at 68%).
Both mobile defenders, Toet said the pair rose to the occasion.
"Bridget and Stephanie are a great combination," she said."
"The girls really wanted it."
As the rain continued to plague the game, Glover and Dorrington rebounded strongly, limiting Horsham's second chances, while creating count-attacking opportunities.
"Rebounding has been a focus for us," Toet said.
"That was a talking point during one of our breaks; when there was a miss because of the conditions, we had to be the first to that rebound."
Horsham did not go down without a fight; in the final quarter, the Demons cut the margin down to two goals.
Nevertheless, Dimboola held its nerve and secured the four premiership points.
The win not only opens up the finals pathway for Dimboola, but also for several sides aiming to finish in the top three.
The Roos and Demons are now equal with 36 points; however, Dimboola have a bye in round 15.
With just four rounds remaining, Horsham, Dimboola, Southern Mallee Thunder and Ararat could finish as high as second or as low as fifth.
The Thunder's final hopes were boosted after defeating Ararat in Jeparit.
SMT got off to a hot start against the Rats, creating an eight-goal lead at halftime.
Ararat pushed hard in the second half with an 11-7 third quarter to cut the deficit in half.
However, Southern Mallee Thunder held its nerve to win 43-40.
Emma Mill top scored for the victors with 22 goals (79%), while Steph Thompson added 21 (70%).
The Rats' Maggie Astbury shot 24 goals (70%), while Laney McLoughlan finished with 16 (59%).
The Horsham Saints extended its lead from the rest of the competition with a 53-25 win against the Warrack Eagles.
League leader Jorja Clode added 39 goals (81%) for the Saints, while Abby Hallam added 11 goals (73%).
Amber O'Connor top scored for the hosts with 15 (66%), Nicole Clyne added 10 (56%).
In the final game of the round, Stawell returned to the winner's circle with a 41-33 victory against Nhill.
