Tatura’s Charlette Gray lines up a shot during the Bulldogs’ win over Shepparton Swans.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
It was dubbed a super Saturday for a reason and boy did it deliver.
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Round 15 of Goulburn Valley League pitted the top six A-grade sides against each other, giving an early glimpse into what finals netball could look like in a month’s time.
Unfortunately for Shepparton Swans, a 12-goal loss to Tatura might be the result that stops Jana Riordan’s side from reaching the post-season.
Entering the game in sixth on percentage alone, the Swans desperately needed a win against a high-flying fourth-ranked Tatura to keep the idea of finals afloat.
But at quarter-time cracks were beginning to show.
Tatura starting with a bang as goal shooter Charlette Gray began to hit her stride early, powering the travelling side to a 15-8 first quarter advantage.
The Bulldogs built a seven-goal advantage to 11 by the main break, restricting the Swans to four goals throughout the second term.
The pace of the game picked back up again in the third stanza and, though the Swans weren’t totally out of the race, it was going to take something special to rally back within striking distance.
However, Tatura wasn’t throwing this one away.
The Bulldogs were able to close out a 41-29 result in greasy conditions, sealing their finals placing while dumping the Swans out of the six.
Taking their place is Echuca, which belted Benalla 72-28 as young shooter Rose Byrne drilled 60 goals in a breakout performance.
Further south, Seymour shocked the pack by stripping another layer of lacquer off Euroa’s season.
The highly-fancied Magpies were favourites to emerge victorious from the second versus third clash, but the Lions were a cut above as they shot to a 51-35 win on home court.
Another top six clash pitted Shepparton against Mooroopna and, despite a spirited challenge, the Bears demonstrated their credentials during a 45-34 win over the Cats.
In the round’s other games, Mansfield bettered Rochester by 15 goals to notch its second win of the season, while Shepparton United cruised past Kyabram 54-30.
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