Netball
9 April, 2025
Swifts record opening-round win
A 12-goal victory ensured the Swifts started their 2025 Horsham District Football Netball League campaign well in A Grade netball.
After a close first half, with Natimuk United down by four goals at half time, the Swifts claimed victory 46 to 34.
Better players for the victors were Jade Ralph and Rebbekkah Seeary, while Danielle Hanson and Ebony Rintoule led the way for Natimuk.
"We are feeling good after the win, the girls kept their composure, which was our aim," co-coach Amy Kenny said.
"It was hot, so it was a good opportunity to practive our rotations, which happened seemlessly.
"I'm proud of the girls."
Co-coach Kristy Dodds said there were some first game nerves evident.
"Depsite the team being familiar to each other, there was some excitement and nerves of getting back in, the season's start, just getting the feel for the game, and as Amy touched on, the heat, and using the rotations to our advantage, where we could, to ensure we had fresh legs to captalise on opportunity," Dodds said.
Kenny was full of praise for the Swifts' Goal Defence, in Jade Ralph and her efforts in the game.
"Jade Ralph was an absolute workhorse, in saying we were doing a lot of rotations, Jade-o ran out the entire game," Kenny said.
"She is marathon training at the moment, but she stayed focused the entire time and did everything we asked of her."
Lisa Monaghan was also good, the coaches said, and achieved everything asked of her in the multiple postions she played on Saturday.
Danielle Hanson and Ebony Rintoule were Natimuk's best players.