Goulburn Valley League netball embarks on its first big Saturday of 2024

The Bears were up against it early as new Eagles goaler Alex Ball sought to make amends for a dismal 18-goal showing from her side the previous week.

With scores level at 12-12 after one quarter, things generally seemed on the right track.

After that, Kim Borger wrested back control for the home side, feeding off linking play that often involved the Ogier girls Charlotte and Genevieve.

Although doubt lingered over the contest even midway into the third period, Borger and Genevieve Ogier certainly put paid to such worries.

Banking no fewer than nine straight goals to close out the third term with a lead of 15, the Bears duo ensured the Eagles’ race was by then run.

In the final stanza, Mansfield saved face with another tooth-and-nail quarter, but the Bears had done enough to secure a first-up 55-39 victory.

Victorious coach Stacey Thompson sees things going up from here as the side gels.

“It was great to have a win. They all had a great game in patches, but it was our first game all together, so it obviously wasn't always going to be seamless,” Thompson said.

“Our defence did an outstanding job adjusting and playing a few different strategies.

“Keeley O’Dwyer with Hannah Crawley at the back built on their combination from last year and we had our debutant Charlotte Ogier stepping in there as well.

“I think we started to play more consistent netball (after quarter-time), making the most of our opportunities and we were focused on scoring off the turnovers we were getting.”

Princess Park witnessed an all-out offensive display as the Swans welcomed Euroa, tipped for another grand ginal spot after the shrewd acquisition of starlet Hollie Reid.

The home side stocked up in its own right offensively with the signing of Natasha Atkinson Brown for 2024, and she wasted no time getting to work, putting the Swans up 3-0 in the blink of an eye.

Olivia Morris soon proved the perfect foil, exerting an influence up the other end for which the Swans had no physical answers.

Often resorting to two-on-one defence on Morris, goal attack Mia Sudomirski freed herself up to get the work in as the visitors took firm control, up by 13 at the main break.

Euroa hardly let up after half-time, putting up nine of 11 goals midway through the third term to put the premiership points beyond doubt.

There was no comfort for goal defence Amelia Mercuri, though, who hobbled off the premises at three-quarter time with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury.

The final term was business as usual despite the enforced change, though, and no amount of magnet-moving did the trick for the Swans as Euroa claimed its first win with ease, 76-48.

Euroa’s Ellie Warnock was certainly satisfied with a comprehensive first effort.

“It was really nice to get that lead and really gel together, just for the confidence,” Warnock said.

“With the addition of Hollie as a centre and wing attack, plus having Liv Morris as our goal shooter, we worked well together as a team and going from there was great.

“Liv is an incredible player, but what makes it more incredible is having a player like Mia to pop in when Liv’s being double-teamed and take off some of that load.

“We’re feeling confident going forward, but Tatura is an incredible side. We want to stay confident, but they’re a top team, so it's going to be tough, and we never expect that we're going to win."

Elsewhere, shocked observers witnessed an enormous upset at Victoria Park, where Echuca unveiled no less than five 2023 premiership flags.

Among them was the A-grade contingent, only to find itself skittled on its home court 48-36 by Shepparton United, which made a massive statement to the league.

Rochester had its way across football and netball at Benalla Showgrounds, and its A-grade Tigers followed suit by knocking over the Saints 73-45.

Rounding out the first full-blooded round of 2024 was finals fancy Mooroopna scooping a big win under lights away at Kyabram, with the Bombers’ youthful line-up no match in a 58-27 rout.