Netball
2 May, 2025
Thunder, Eagles face off in winter-like clash
The weather more closely resembled winter by providing netballers of all ages with puddles to dodge during Southern Mallee Thunder's clash with Warrack Eagles.
In moddies, the club welcomed three girls for their first Thunder game: Layla Poynton, Elsie Stasinowsky and Evie Simpson.
Each contributed in their own way and combined with the others to put forward a strong team effort.
Together they created an impressive attacking game of netball, scoring 13 goals against Warrack’s 2.
With a focus on court talk, the more experienced players set a positive example encouraging and supporting all players.
AWARDS
Thunder Canteen – Lilah Bainbridge: Lilah is already showing huge signs of improvement this season with better foot control and reading the play. Great game, Lilah.
Mealsbox Voucher – Layla Poynton: Layla showed promising signs in her goal movement and shooting. A tumble prevented her finishing the game but it was an excellent way to kick off her time in a Thunder dress.
[CROSSHEAD]Under 13s
A change in weather for round two saw a slow and steady start, with the court wet and slippery.
Thunder were excited to welcome newcomers Emma Saul and Adalyn Clugston for their first game with the 13 & under team,
The starting seven girls found their feet quickly, using plenty of talk to build momentum.
Pippa Shannon and Ava Puckle directed play beautifully into the goal ring, setting up plenty of scoring opportunities.
Down the defensive end, Elka Huf, Emma Saul, Felicity Keller and Pippa Fisher worked tirelessly to shut down the Warracknabeal shooters and limit their scoring chances.
Amelia Brain moved well and created valuable space in the goal circle while Sophie Frankel provided plenty of strong leads and delivered great feeds into the ring.
In the second half, some changes were made in the goal third, with Keller and Puckle combining well to convert turnovers into goals.
Adalyn Clugston came on at wing attack, proving to be a little pocket rocket by applying fantastic defensive pressure and causing a key turnover.
Unfortunately, the girls didn’t come away with the win, going down by 10 goals – still a great result against a strong Warracknabeal side.
Well done to all the girls for their hard work, adaptability and teamwork in challenging conditions.
It was a great game with plenty of positives and new strategies to work on for the next time Thunder face Warracknabeal.
Final score: Eagles 31 d Thunder 21
Awards: Pippa Shannon, Ava Puckel, Emma Saul
[CROSSHEAD]Under 15s
What a game at the weekend for the under 15 Southern Mallee Thunder girls.
The 15 girls game started off very competitively on Saturday with both Thunder and Warrack Eagles coming out of the gates strong.
In the first half of the game the girls showed off their hard work and perseverance with the score results showing 4 to 6 in favour of the Eagles after the first quarter.
After the first quarter Warrack Eagles gained a bit of a run-on from the Thunder 15 girls.
It was a great team effort for the whole of the four quarters played by everyone.
Throughout the game the use of rolling subs came in handy for the girls as they are a flexible and quick-adjusting team.
Overall it was a well-fought game for the under 15 Thunder girls, unfortunately not coming away with a win but going down with an end score of 17 to the Warrack Eagles' 38.
Final score: Eagles 38 d Thunder 17
Awards: Olivia Moore, Lilly Puckle
[CROSSHEAD]Under 17s
The girls played to their best but that just wasn’t enough to keep up with the Eagles, with the mercy rule coming into play at half-time as the score sat at 53-3.
Even though it was a rough game all of the girls kept their spirits high as they continued to navigate being a new team.
Best on court went to Esther Kelly, who was challenged with both working in mid-court and in the defence end throughout the game but managed to switch between the two exceedingly well.
Second best was Lilly Heron, who put pressure on the Eagles' attackers and fought hard to get the ball back down to Thunder's attacking end.
Congratulations to Isabella Huf, who was announced as the under 17s captain, and Esther Kelly, who was announced as vice-captain.
Both of these girls are excellent players and leaders both on and off the court.
Final score: Eagles 53* d Thunder 3 (* mercy rule applied)
Awards: Lily Heron, Esther Kelly
[CROSSHEAD]C grade
There was another slow start from the C grade girls but a tough fightback meant it was a relatively close game.
Hailey and Clarissa did an excellent job working down the Warrack shooters and creating some real uncertainty.
Remy and Veronica worked well in their first game together, slowly building a connection and getting comfortable.
The injection of Kim into wing defence also created lots of stoppages from the Eagles' quick passages of play.
It was a very exciting moment when Luca Landrigan took the court with her mum Kat and big sister Coco.
Speaking of the family, the Landrigan ladies had the ball on a string with some amazing feeds into the circle.
A change in the ring saw Remy and Rachael moving beautifully together in a similar playing style.
Jade in wing defence continued to work down the Warrack attackers, leaving no ball uncontested.
Thunder came very close to the lead in the last half, being only three goals down at one point.
Ultimately, they just ran out of legs.
However, it was certainly nothing to be upset about, lots of positives coming out of the game.
Final score: Eagles 30 d Thunder 22
Awards: Coco Landrigan, Hailey Yorke
[CROSSHEAD]B grade
B grade started out as a close contest but by the third quarter the Eagles had taken control of the game and the Thunder girls had to chase.
Brooke Rentsch is a welcome member to the team with strength in her passing and defence work.
Tia Credlin shot well but moved from goals to defence to change it up in attempt to stop the Eagles' momentum.
Denita Reid was reliable in the centre, Issy Allan gave her usual grit through the mid-court, and the Huf sisters, Macey and Isabella, teamed well together in goals in the second half.
Final score: Eagles 45 d Thunder 26
Awards: Brooke Rentsch, Tia Credlin, Issy Allan
[CROSSHEAD]A grade
The Thunder recorded their second win for the season, defeating Warrack Eagles 35-23 at Anzac Park on Saturday.
In what was a low-scoring affair, the Thunder were able to maintain their composure in the first half, holding a 13-goal leading heading into half-time.
It was a margin that the Warrack Eagles clawed back to nine heading into the final term.
The defensive pressure from both teams forced the ball to rebound from end to end throughout the game as both teams worked hard to transition the ball down the court.
A high-turnover game provided ample opportunities for rebounds and intercepts in the goal circle and across the court.
Thunder goal keeper Sydney Thorogood was named best for her role in the defensive circle.
This was mirrored by Warracknabeal, with wing defence Leiah McKenzie and goal keeper Jess Kelly also recognised in the best for their defensive efforts.
Final score: Thunder 35 d Eagles 23
Awards: Sydney Thorogood, Emma Mill
