Lakers try mix and match

A strong opening term from the Lakers — where they shot 18-8 — set up the win at Central Park.

The Eagles tried to bridge the gap, but the margin was too wide for the seventh-placed outfit — with the Lakers extending their lead in the final term to 22 goals.

Nagambie co-coach Sarah Sanderson said it was the defeat to the ladder leader last weekend that allowed her side to mix-up tactics for its clash against the Eagles.

‘‘We tried a few things on the weekend that we learned last week in the loss against Stanhope,’’ Sanderson said.

‘‘The game against Stanhope was good for us, we now know what we can work on and improve that we didn’t know beforehand.

‘‘We changed a few combinations and worked on our full-court defence.’’

The Lakers welcomed back co-coach Bianca Willis from injury, with Sanderson excited to have the talented shooter back in the side.

‘‘It was nice to have Bianca back in her first game of the season,’’ she said.

‘‘She was a bit nervous pre-game, but eased her way into the game and shot really well.

‘‘Over the next three to four weeks she’s going to get her confidence and fitness back, which is exciting for her and the team.’’

The Lakers swapped Keeley Woosham to centre and Sarah O’Sullivan to wing defence, but it was the change of Madeline Moore to defence that proved the winning stroke.

‘‘With Bianca back in, it freed up Maddy to go back to defence,’’ Sanderson said.

‘‘She starred at goal keeper, which is a position she has played most of her life.

‘‘We also swapped Sarah and Keeley around and they both played really well.

‘‘It just gives us that flexibility now.’’

●Longwood clinched its first win of the season, defeating Ardmona 58-28.

Merrigum held on for a close six-goal win against Lancaster, staving off the Wombats 29-23.

Stanhope continued its superb season with a 67-44 win against Tallygaroopna, while Undera edged out Avenel 68-50.

Murchison-Toolamba proved too strong against Girgarre, running out a 62-47 winner.