Watch the ball: Nathalia’s Jacinta Todd.
Photo by
Holly Daniel
Tongala has continued its hot start in the Murray Netball League after a commanding victory over Barooga.
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In the second half of the split round four, Tongala was electric from the word go, finishing the first quarter up 22-2.
From there the Blues continued to score freely, eventually winning the match 68-20, with coach Grace Hammond labelling it the most complete performance from her side throughout her coaching tenure.
“I’m in my second year as coach and that is the best netball that I have seen my girls play,” she said.
“Especially the way we started in the first quarter, it was just a very clinical, textbook game of netball.
“Our structures worked our way and we stuck to the things we have been working on and things just happened to flow our way.
“Barooga were a great group of girls to play and, obviously, they are towards the bottom end of the ladder a bit more, but nonetheless, they played a great game of netball as well and it was a positive hit-out for us.”
Tongala has now won four games on the trot and remain one of two undefeated sides alongside Rumbalara.
Hammond was particularly impressed that her side maintained the rage throughout the match, never faltering in an even spread performance.
“This is our second season together as the same side, plus the inclusion of Jaz Clark, and I think it’s (connection and system) something we have been working towards and we see glimpses of it every game, but we were actually able to string it together,” she said.
“We have our structures and we do see them and they do work for us, but it was just one of those games where we were able to maintain it for the whole four quarters rather than two or three.
Regarding standout performances, Hammond was quick to mention that any of her players could have received best-on honours, but Hammond and the umpires couldn’t ignore the effect one star had on the game.
“The award could have gone to anyone yesterday as all the girls did their role both in attack and defensively, so as a coach, just really pleased with their performance yesterday,” she said.
“We actually had an Anzac round medal that was picked by the umpires and that went to Milly Brock and she was then awarded best-on for the club as well.
“In a netball sense, you can’t fault Milly.
“I mean, she is six-foot four as a goal shooter and quite accurate, not just under the post, but can shoot from anywhere.
“When you have someone like that to work the ball down the court, where you back her in from anywhere in the ring, it’s hard to look past her.”
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