Rumbalara’s Jessie Barnes-Hill stretches out.
Photo by
Holly Daniel
Life continues to be a breeze for the reigning premier in 2025.
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Well, at least that is how it appears from the outside looking into Rumbalara’s unblemished run in Murray Netball League.
Rumbalara’s win streak moved to 13 on Saturday afternoon after dominating Finley from go-to-whoa on the court.
Round 11 saw Rumba beat the Cats 82-30 and remain perched up the top of the A-grade ladder.
It seems the only internal factor that could throw Rumbalara off its game in the second half of the home and away season is a sense of complacency.
But given Rumbalara was in a near-identical position last season as the all-conquering flag favourite, it is hard to imagine player-coach Jess Bamblett allowing her experienced team to lose their focus.
“It was a fantastic win for our side, but we are definitely not getting ahead of ourselves,” Bamblett said.
“I think it’s a team thing; we are all humble and know nothing is a given in this league.
“When it comes to finals time anything can happen.
“So we are just making each other accountable and keeping each other on track.”
Rumbalara has had one eye on the future this season as the reigning premiers have blooded some youth.
Bamblett said she has been impressed by how her juniors have quickly adapted to life at A-grade level.
“The last couple of rounds has given us a great opportunity to showcase our juniors who are still eligible to play under-17s,” she said.
“We have been giving Ellie Morgan and Jaydah Wanganeen the license to go in the circle ring by themselves and give them the confidence.
“Seeing them play two quarters together in A-grade was something special and something that has been years in the making.”
Rumbalara came within a whisker of having an undefeated season in 2024.
Unfortunately, a clerical error in the final game of the home-and-away season caused the result to be filed as a forfeit.
However, Bamblett said securing a perfect A-grade season hasn’t been part of the planning at all in 2025.
“That’s not what we have come into the season thinking, that is the last thing on our mind,” she said.
“We just want to make sure we are developing our A-grade team and looking towards the future.
“If it ends up being (an undefeated record) then that is a bonus, but it is not something we are striving for.”
Rumbalara’s top competition for back-to-back flags is the rising Nathalia.
The Purples kept close touch with Rumba on the ladder at the weekend with a 23-goal victory on the road against Mulwala.
Nathalia’s one loss for the season came at the hands of Rumbalara and was by three goals in a thriller.
Tracey Brereton and Jacinta Todd’s crew sit one win behind Rumbalara on the ladder with a salivating rematch between the sides scheduled for the final round of the home-and-away season.
Numurkah continued its form with a tight seven-goal victory over Tongala.
At home, Numurkah proved too strong in a high-scoring affair, winning the match 61-54 to move comfortably into sixth spot on the ladder; six points ahead of next-best Tonny.
Finals aspirant Moama downed Congupna at The Road’s home court.
The Magpies won the match by 14 goals.
Echuca United belted Barooga by 35 goals, while Deniliquin Rams handed Cobram a 45-goal loss.
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