Hollie Reid was named best-on-court in the GVL’s win over the Ovens and Murray League.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
What’s purple and gold and can’t be contained?
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Goulburn Valley League’s open netball side, of course.
The GVL tore shreds off Ovens and Murray League in Saturday’s interleague standoff at WJ Findlay Oval, Wangaratta, shooting the lights out to clinch a 37-goal triumph over its country rival.
A largely unchanged starting seven to last year hit the court in the 12.30pm time slot and, apart from conceding the first goal, the GVL led at every other moment to snare a comprehensive, clinical and carefree 68-31 win on enemy territory.
GVL’s Olivia Morris converted 54 goals against the O&M.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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GVL’s Molly Kennedy gets the ball moving out of the centre.
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Megan Fisher
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GVL’s Sarah Szczykulski was a force in defence all game.
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Megan Fisher
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GVL’s Dayna Williams watches play from her goal defence post.
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Megan Fisher
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GVL’s Asha Gray spreads the arms to cut down the angle.
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Megan Fisher
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The GVL side stand to attention during the national anthem.
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Megan Fisher
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GVL coach Bree Hanslow watches on with mum Di for company.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“Look, they did really well considering that it was their first run together. I think it was a great combination,” coach Bree Hanslow said.
“Ovens and Murray came out very fast to begin with, so we had a couple of passages through the court to begin with that didn't quite go as smoothly as we would have liked.
“But we were able to get those connections starting to work pretty quickly in the first quarter, which was great.”
With the GVL having the wood over the O&M in recent years, the hosting side came out guns blazing with a turnover within seconds of the first centre pass that led to the opening goal.
Unfortunately for the side in black and yellow, that was as good as it got.
GVL captain Sarah Szczykulski started rolling down the shutter doors early, winning a ton of ball inside the defensive circle and stitching moves together from the back.
The synergetic Euroa trio of Hollie Reid, Mia Sudomirski and Olivia Morris began to crank the handle in attack, racing Hanslow’s charges out to a 15-4 advantage at quarter-time.
A purple and gold blur continued to flash down the court throughout the second term, and there to meet it every single time was Morris.
Leap. Catch. Shoot. Repeat.
The formula was simple, yet deadly effective as she received great service from Reid, who contorted to receive the majority of restarts from the centre.
O&M introduced Emily Stewart to the shooting circle, which added some pep to her side’s step, but with GVL displaying crisp passing into the circle that had heads spinning, the lead gunned out past 20 goals as Morris splashed them in like every other Saturday.
During the third, the O&M found some groove as pocket rocket centre Madi Lieschke darted around the asphalt, but it was far too late to change the game as the GVL steered ahead 48-20 at the final change.
Despite a late O&M revival in the final five minutes, the GVL closed out the last quarter 20-11 and was home and hosed at the hooter.
Reid was bestowed best-on-court honours for a pace-setting performance in wing attack, but it was another Magpie who caught Hanslow’s eye alongside a Seymour star.
“I thought Mia (Sudomirski) played an exceptionally good game today,” she said.
“But having that combination who play together every Saturday meant they knew a bit more about each other's games — it was very handy, they all did really well.
“(Szczykulski) was pivotal down the back end.
“She would have got numerous turnovers and rebounds and also her guidance for all the rest of the young girls out there today was fantastic.”
