Shepparton Swans' Klarindah Hudson defends under the ring during Saturday’s victory over Shepparton United.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
From the outside looking in, this may have looked like any other game.
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But for Shepparton Swans, Saturday’s match against Shepparton United was a proverbial line in the sand.
The Swans, possessing a desire to play finals in the Goulburn Valley League in 2025, circled the Demons fixture as a non-negotiable on the calendar if they wanted to keep ambitions of a September cameo afloat.
And as the red and white walked off the courts at Princess Park, the scoreboard flashing 53-47 in their favour, the dream was indeed alive.
Was it perfect?
In coach Jana Riordan’s eyes, no, but the end result was what truly mattered.
Shepparton Swans' Chelsea McDonald receives the ball on the fly.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Swans' Klarindah Hudson pops off a chest pass.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton United's Montanna Burke slows the game down before picking a pass.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Swans' Kate Betson waits for an option to present.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Swans' Chelsea McDonald scans before feeding into the circle.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton United's Shinea Sali looks to cut a passing lane.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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Shepparton Swans' Chelsea McDonald lines up a shot over Shepparton United's Taylah Lloyd.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“It was definitely a really tight contest; I don’t think we were completely happy with our performance but we were happy to take the four points, that’s for sure,” she said.
“It was a must win game for us if we want to make finals which we’ve actively said is our aim for this season, so I think the girls felt that a little bit.
“United’s intensity and physical presence on the court definitely didn’t allow us to get out and away easily.”
United brought a tough brand of netball to the Swans, and neither side was able to break away from the other in the early sparring
Swans’ shooter Natasha Atkinson-Brown was back on deck after missing the Euroa game, and was busy in attack against a hardy United defence alongside Chelsea McDonald.
The hosts led by four at quarter time and a 12-all second stanza meant all was to play for in the third - it was here where the game was won.
Swans bested United 14-10 to lead by eight at three quarter time, and though the Demons won the final term 12-10, Riordan’s charges had put just enough distance between themselves and the visitors to escape with four points.
With the Swans lifting into seventh, the next month or so is huge in the grand scheme.
An interleague bye awaits before games against Echuca, Mansfield, Kyabram, Shepparton and Benalla, with Riordan targeting at least three wins out of that block.
“After the bye, that next five week block is really critical,” Riordan said.
“We feel like we should, and could, win three to four or them and that will be much needed if we’re looking to make finals.
“We haven’t been unhappy with our performances against those top four sides which were our four losses from the last seven rounds, and we’re really building into the season.
“I feel like our performance is gradually improving so we hope we can see that continue and take some wins which will be vital.”
Riordan also highlighted the recent performances of Atkinson-Brown, as well as the young trio of Gabby Moore, Jaylah Meda and Sienna Burke.
Over at Euroa Memorial Oval, the Magpies put on the league’s biggest showing offensively as it heaped the hurt on Benalla in the early timeslot.
The Saints kept pace with Euroa for the first quarter and only trailed 12-8 at the first change of ends - but Olivia Morris was about to hit her stride.
Morris dialled in to notch three 20-plus goal quarters to finish with 74 for the day, spearheading Euroa’s 88-31 victory to keep the Pies on top of the ladder with only Shepparton for company.
The Bears were too strong for Seymour on home court, with Molly Kennedy running the centre in a 61-41 triumph.
Third-ranked Tatura was pushed all the way at Rochester, needling out a 49-43 result with defender Molly Boyle winning a ton of intercept ball in crucial moments.
Mooroopna accounted for Kyabram comfortably as the Cats claimed a 28-goal win, while in the final game of the round, Echuca rallied from a first quarter deficit to grind out a 52-37 victory.
