Netball
A-grade
Violet Town 42 defeated Longwood 33
The Towners claimed a much-needed win on Saturday after putting on a strong and unified performance to claim a well-earned 42-33 win over Longwood. The win didn’t come easily though and Longwood were right with the Towners into the second quarter.
A well-rounded attacking game from Prue Holmes and Maddie Gottschling in goals delivered four powerful and consistent quarters. Their accuracy and composure under the post were key in building and maintaining the scoreboard pressure. In defence, Mel Humphries and Kolby Wild were just as influential, applying strong and tight pressure that disrupted Longwood’s attacking plays and created turnover opportunities.
While the team played with great energy and connection, there are still areas to tidy up. Decision-making under pressure at times led to rushed passes, and converting turnovers into goals more consistently will be a focus going forward.
Overall, it was a great team game with every player contributing. Violet Town’s cohesive ball movement, smart transitions, and relentless intensity were the difference on the day.
A solid win built on teamwork and determination, with clear signs of growth still to come.
Awards went Prue Holmes and Mel Humphries.
B-grade
Violet Town 54 defeated Longwood 11
Towners knew they needed a win over Longwood if they were to have any chance of sneaking up the ladder to make finals this year and the whole team came together to make sure it happened.
Dominating from the outset, Towners played a cool and calm game in attack, resetting when they needed to and ensuring safe feeding into their goalers, who were cool, calm, and collected and most importantly accurate.
The midcourt was open and didn’t suffer from crowding as it had in previous games, and defensively, the pressure was immense. So immense in fact that most turnovers occurred in the centre third, before it even got to Longwood’s goal circle. Overall an impressive effort from Towners who now need to keep this momentum to move from seventh spot up to sixth and try and sneak into finals.
Awards went to Karalee Mason who was solid in the midcourt all game and Justine Pickham who played a strong game in defence.
Violet Town’s C grade side claimed a 33-24 win over Longwood, with Thalia Ellis and Lauren Coulbourn leading the way, while the C Reserve side went down 19-28, despite strong performances from Maria Michalowski and Mikaela Dunn.
The 17 and under side claimed a solid 43-35 win, with Georgia McLean and Matilda Kubeil claiming the awards, while the 15 and under side lost 68-13, with Dylan and Macey the best in the loss.
The 13 and under Towners narrowly went down 15-16, while the 11 and under side claimed a big 33-0 victory, with Mila and Addi claiming the awards.
Football
Seniors
Violet Town found itself back on the winner’s list at the weekend, storming home after a slow start to claim an 18-point win over Longwood at home.
Fresh off a stirring win over Shepparton East in round 10, the Redlegs looked like they were set for another commanding performance, booting five goals in the first term to establish a 14-point lead by quarter-time.
But the Towners rallied in the second term with a five-goal-to-three quarter of their own, levelling the scores at 53-apiece at the main break.
The Towners continued to surge ahead after half-time, forging ahead at a pace Longwood was unable to match and opening up an 18-point gap by three-quarter time, the same margin as at the full-time siren, securing the win 18.7 (115) to 15.7 (97).
John Woodcock led the way as Violet Town’s best, closely followed by Joshua Robertson (two goals), while Sam Leigh (three goals) and Robert Wilson (six goals) also found a spot in the best with their goal kicking exploits.
James Herring was also among the influential in the come-from-behind victory, as was JD Hayes (two goals), while Ashly Hobbs (two goals), Ash Hockey, Patrick Horsburgh and Caden Robinson rounded out the goal kickers.
The Towners will look to back up the win when they visit Rushworth to take on the Tigers this weekend.