NETBALL
A-Grade
Goorambat played a strong game against Bright and defeated the home side 44-21.
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Bright had a solid defence, which forced the Bats’ attacking end to be patient and work together to score.
Jenna Brunner was best on court, proving to be reliable in the ring and moving well with fellow shooters Kylie Relf and Ally Ellis.
Goorambat showed great defensive pressure across the whole court and made it hard for Bright to feed to its shooters.
The Bats were able to keep Bright below 10 goals at half time, with defenders Nikki Wallace and Brittany Button a great combination in the ring.
The two players stood out for Goorambat, with their defensive pressure gaining intercepts and rebounds.
Goorambat demonstrated versatility in the mid-court, as all players put pressure on, and although Goorambat had a lot of unforced errors, it was still able to keep control of the game.
It was a game of patience due to windy conditions and Goorambat was too strong for its opponents.
Goorambat will hope to build on the win at this Saturday’s game against Tarrawingee.
Final Score: Goorambat 44 def. Bright 21
Awards: Jenna Brunner: Black’s Plumbing cash award, Brittany Button: Bill-Bo-Pop, Nikki Wallace: Bare Asthetik
B-Grade
Final Score: Goorambat 42 def. Bright 31
B-Reserve
Final Score: Bright 74 def. Goorambat 16
Awards: Chloe Trevena (Goorambat Railway Hotel), Abby Hammond (Munro & Sargeant), Elise Nolan (Rambling Rose)
Under-17
Goorambat’s Under-17s faced Bright again, hoping to better their score from the last time the two teams met.
The Goorambat girls just could not bring it home and were defeated at the end of the day.
All the girls fought hard and worked well as a team.
In the past the Bats have faced third-quarter troubles but on this occasion it was the final quarter where the team ran out of steam.
The side continues to grow every week and it is exciting to watch the players grow and develop.
Final Score: Bright 38 def. Goorambat 28
Awards: Ella Parrant (Tony Kelly cash award), Lacey Carter (Amcal Chemist), Molly Martin (Spot 4 Icecream)
Under-15
The pre-game prep saw Goorambat team captain Ruby demonstrate her leadership by warming up the girls and giving a motivating chat.
Kate Defazio stepped in to coach for the first half while Julie filled in umpiring until the Bright umpire got there after having car troubles.
The girls tried hard in the first quarter, but it was their warm-up quarter as the last three quarters saw the team matching Bright in every inch of the court, even winning the second and fourth quarters.
It is great to see and hear the players using their voices in calling for the ball and encouraging each other.
This week we saw the training start to pay off with the understanding and application of their learnings.
Final Score: Bright 21 def. Goorambat 11
Awards: Ella Bast (Royal Hotel), Claudia Kelly (Chill Out Smoothie Bar), Issie Defazio (Spot 4 Icecream)
FOOTBALL
Seniors
With a few senior players returning, the Bats were keen for a good showing against a strong Bright side.
Young ruckman Darcy Edgar continued his good season, giving the Bats first use of the footy from the middle of the ground.
His tap-outs and strong overhead marks kept Goorambat in the contest.
Jim Taylor and Ryan Burns battled hard all day, utilising their pace, run and carry with the footy.
The strong breeze played havoc with both sides and turned the game into a physical, scrappy contest.
New recruits Charles Hunter and Rick Walker worked hard in and around the stoppages, keeping the boys in the game.
Jamie Dunne worked hard in the midfield and utilised his foot skills, continually sending the ball deep inside the forward 50.
Veteran Ben Reaburn was sent forward and kicked a great goal from long distance to get the boys up and about.
The Bats had a lot of inside 50s through the second and third terms, but struggled to score in the blustery winter conditions.
Goorambat coach Jarred Brenan kept the boys focused and was very positive at three-quarter time, urging the boys to keep working hard.
Ultimately, though, Bright was too strong.
It was a much improved game from when Goorambat met Bright earlier in the season and the coaching staff and senior players told the boys to hold their heads high, as they gave a valiant effort.
This weekend the Bats take on the Bulldogs away from home as they try to get back on the winners’ list.
Final Score: Bright 3-6 5-10 9-13 11-17 83 def. Goorambat 0-1 2-1 2-2 3-5 23
Awards: Darcy Edgar, Jamie Dunne, Rick Walker, Charles Hunter, Ryan Burns, Jim Taylor
Reserves
The Reserves hosted an in-form premiership contender in Bright
Goorambat battled hard from the first bounce with ruckman Todd Haslam doing his best to give the Bats first use of the ball in the middle.
The Bats’ backline was put under a lot of pressure but the defenders never dropped their heads.
Daniel Hooper showed his experience and a cool head, helping rebound the ball out of the 50-metre arc.
Jack Williams was again in good form, putting his head over the ball in every contest.
Even though it was one-sided on the scoreboard, the boys never gave up and stayed positive, encouraging each other throughout the game.
Young first-year player Aiden Phillips gathered a lot of the ball and battled hard all day.
Co-coach Nathan Delaney worked well in the stoppages, combining with Todd Haslam’s good ruckwork to keep the bright midfielders on their toes.
Declan Lawford played a solid game, using his pace and outside run to push the ball forward.
Bright was too slick and too good, running away with a comfortable win.
The young Bats are showing improvement as the season rolls on.
Final Score: Bright 4-10 8-19 18-24 25-26 176 def. Goorambat 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 1
Awards: Todd Haslam, Daniel Hooper, Aiden Phillips, Nathan Delaney, Declan Lawford, Jack Williams
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