Another bump round of GVL netball makes a finals prediction all the more difficult

Following the weekend’s action, last year’s top two appear to be gunning for gold again.

But the rest?

It’s anyone’s game.

Shepparton United, which slumped to ninth in 2023, is addressing its concerns right away and now finds itself in fourth spot following Saturday’s 51-27 walloping of Kyabram.

The young and undersized Bombers struggled against a level-headed Demons outfit that delivered 60 minutes of steady netball at Deakin Reserve.

Despite United resting dead-eye goaler Tamara Skinner, young shooters Hannah Onley and Diaz Barzen showed strong chemistry, while the Dees’ defenders held firm at the other end.

Victorious playing co-coach Laura Cole waxed lyrical about her team’s ability to stay on task for the game’s entirety.

“We said from the get-go that our aim was to have a four-quarter effort and we definitely did that,” Cole said.

“We had a strong half last week against Benalla, but really dropped off in the second half, so all we asked from the girls today was to get that four-quarter effort and we did that, so (I’m) very happy.

“(Skinner) was having a rest, but I thought our two younger goalers, Hannah and Diaz, really stepped up — I was really happy with their game.

“I thought it was a really good effort across the board. Our defenders worked really hard all day getting turnovers for us and we were able to convert most of them, which is really pleasing.”

Neither side was squeaky clean under the ring in the first half, but United was able to remedy that as time ticked on with a shorter Kyabram defence trying — often in vain — to deal with the Demons’ looping feeds into the arc.

A 10-goal lead turned into 20 and, at one stage, United teased the idea of a complete blowout as the advantage stretched closer to 30.

However, Kyabram gritted its teeth and showed tablespoonfuls of heart to keep the match competitive throughout the final term.

Now, the only blemish on United’s record is a four-goal loss to Shepparton in round two and, though, it still stings Cole said her side’s progression was a real area of growth.

“We’re really happy with how we’re tracking at the moment ... we’d probably like to have four wins on the board and we were pretty close against the Bears,” she said.

“We took that as a lesson, we were pretty disappointed, but we’ve certainly come back from that and we’re looking forward to getting a few wins on the board.

“When we come up against a few of the stronger teams we’ll be ready.”

One of those “stronger teams” is Mooroopna, sitting pretty on top following its 14-goal win against Shepparton Swans.

The Cats led at every change despite a worthy challenge from Jana Riordan’s Swans, leaving Mooroopna's fill-in mentor Bree Hanslow elated at the last hooter.

“(The) Swannies really stayed in it for the first half of the game; it was close even, I think, in the last quarter as they got within 10 again at one stage,” she said.

“I think that we were probably fortunate to have a fair bit of versatility and fresh legs today, as we were able to rotate a few different combinations out there.

“It’s only early in the season, but it’s something that we need to keep working on (passing and connectivity) with girls playing in different positions because versatility is good, but it can also mean that you are a little bit inconsistent.

“We are working on that and there are plenty of things we can improve on, which is exciting.”

Hanslow went on to praise her team’s connectivity and drive in warm conditions, singling out the combination of Dayna Williams and Caitlin McLachlan in the defensive end.

Meantime, Shepparton fired off 24 fourth-quarter goals to see off Seymour 66-51 at Kings Park, while Tatura kept its momentum with a nine-goal beating of Rochester.

A grand final rematch between Euroa and Echuca went the way of the former 49-30, while Mansfield earned its first win of the campaign thanks to a 48-38 triumph over Benalla.