Football
Seniors
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Saturday was a great day for footy, the sun was finally out and the conditions were perfect at our home deck for our clash with the Panthers.
In the seniors, while still getting the win, it wasn’t smooth sailing for the Bats, with their many behinds not helping. The game was tight for the whole four quarters, with only a few goals separating the two teams for most of the day.
Coach Jamie Dunne, constantly driving his team forward, was outstanding all day and Campbell McCoy was elite, with his gut running continually finding space and hitting up his forwards.
The return of Desi O’Kane was just what the Bats needed, O’Kane has been sidelined for a few months now with injuries but was straight back in the thick of things. Jordan Wolff had a solid game up forward and also in the middle when the Bats needed a little extra.
Score: Goorambat 13.19 (97) def All Blacks 12.5 (77)
Awards: Peter Davis Rural Best on Ground - Jamie Dunne, Goorambat Railway Hotel - Campbell McCoy, Gladstone’s Ampol Fuel - Desi O’Kane, Hollywood’s Pizza - Victor Butler, Thursday Night Club Meal - Jordan Wolff, Royal Hotel - Ryan Burns.
Reserves
The reserves on paper looked the goods and didn’t disappoint with what was our biggest win since joining the Ovens and King league.
The boys started off well with clearance after clearance and converted on the scoreboard. Recovering a few players back from the seniors, we also welcomed into the club Stephen (Picko) Pickering, who played an outstanding game on the wing providing plenty of run and experience, while also impacting on the scoreboard.
Jonty Priest was fantastic on the wing and in front of goal, kicking a big bag on the day, and the return of past senior coach Jared Brennan was welcomed with his goal sense proving he hasn’t lost it at all.
But the highlight of the day was Jared’s son Noah. Noah has been front and centre in the Bats change room since he was a little tacker, and on the weekend he finally got his chance to play for the Bats and he didn’t disappoint. Noah was everywhere and it didn’t take long for him to kick his first of multiple goals for the day. His disposal around the ground was precise.
Well done Noah on your debut game and well done Bats on a fantastic win.
Score: Goorambat 32.12 (204) def Panthers 0.2 (2)
Awards: Bouwmeester’s Bakery Best on Ground - Noah Hogan, Hollywood’s Pizza - Stephen Pickering, Club Drink Voucher - Dylan Barber, Bill Bo Pop - Jared Brennan, Royal Hotel - Jonty Priest, Sportspower - Shaun Lemmer.
Netball
A grade
A grade produced another strong performance this week, defeating All Blacks 46-22.
The girls set the tone early with relentless defensive pressure and were able to force plenty of turnovers across the court. Our attack was patient and composed, making the most of every opportunity while our defenders worked tirelessly to limit All Blacks’ scoring chances.
Charli Button led from the front with an outstanding four-quarter performance, while Eliza Cole provided her usual calmness and consistency through the midcourt. Molly Doidge was influential all game, helping drive the team to another convincing win.
It was a complete team effort and a great way to continue building momentum heading towards finals.
Score: Goorambat 46 def All Blacks 22
Awards: Riverbank Cash Award Best on Court - Charli Button, Goorambat Pub Award - Eliza Cole, Goorambat Pub Award - Molly Doidge.
B grade
Bats had another strong win on Saturday, moving us back into the top five. The girls prove to never give up on the court and after a rocky first quarter, came out racing in the second taking a 22-goal lead.
It was a surprisingly hot day so having fresh legs through the midcourt helped keep our momentum. Amelia Gall brought her steadiness to help control the game, Mya Bye’s speed tearing through the centre was elite and Chelsea Bamford’s spot on feeds into the shooters gave us good looks at goal.
Our shooters Ally Ellis, Casey Hearmon and Poppy Broomhall had another accurate game, shooting under the very long arms of All Blacks’ young defenders.
We can’t forget about our defensive end and the pressure provided by Georgia Thomson, Lacey Carter and Tiffany Osborne. Tiffany is a new addition into our wing defence position and she’s proving to be very strong, shutting down a lot of the All Blacks’ midcourt play. Along with Georgia Thomson’s flying intercepts and Lacey’s strength at goal keeper, the Bats forced many turnovers.
We take on Milawa next weekend for the first time this season, which I’m sure will be a good challenge for the girls.
Score: Goorambat 59 def All Blacks 21
Awards:
G & S Gall cash award Best on Court - Georgia Thomson, Club Thursday night dinner - Tiffany Osborne, Club drink voucher - Chelsea Bamford.
B Reserve
After a strong start to the game, unfortunately we weren’t able to maintain that momentum and finish the match the way we would have liked. There were some strong passages of play throughout the game, but we were unable to capitalise on our opportunities.
Ella Woods was outstanding through the midcourt, using strong drives and excellent connections with the shooters to earn best on court.
Chelsea Cole had a tough task against some accurate shooters but applied great defensive pressure and worked tirelessly to contest every ball, earning second best.
Kate Nolan put in a relentless effort all game, moving continuously to create opportunities in attack and was rewarded with third best honours.
Score: Goorambat 26 def by Benalla 46
Awards: Muscle Mend cash award Best on Court - Ella Woods, Royal Hotel - Chelsea Cole, GFNC drink voucher - Kate Nolan.
Under 17s
Our under-17s took on All Blacks this week and, despite going down 53-29, the girls showed plenty of determination throughout the four quarters.
They continued to fight hard against a strong opposition and never stopped working for each other.
There were some great passages of play through the midcourt and into attack, with the team continuing to show improvement and confidence as the season progresses. While the result wasn’t what we were after, the effort and resilience were there from start to finish.
Score: Goorambat 29 def by All Blacks 53
Awards: Canteen Voucher Best on Court - Pippa Martin, Early Bird Voucher - Molly Martin, Spot 4 Ice cream - Tilly De Fazio.
Under 15s
Goorambat’s under-15s took on a strong Benalla side at home this week, going down 10-82. Throughout the game, the girls showed some great passages of play, putting into action what they have been working on at training.
Best on court went to Emma Hall for her tireless work in centre, using strong drives and applying the skills she has been developing at training. Aaliyah Wakley also played well, moving confidently in the ring to find front position before finishing with accurate shooting.
Despite the tough result, the girls stayed positive throughout the game and continued to work hard until the final whistle.
Score: Goorambat 10 def by Benalla All Blacks 82
Awards: Hammond Family Canteen Voucher Best on Court - Emma Hall, Aaliyah Wakley - Sportspower