Both Glencoe and Kalangadoo had solid wins in round 16 Mid South East Netball Association action, with the Murphies too strong for Nangwarry, while the Pies downed the Hawks in the battle of the birds.

Port MacDonnell again proved too strong for Tantanoola at Tigerland, downing the Tigers by five, while Robe had a solid 17 goal win over Mount Burr.

With only two rounds to go, Kalangadoo and Glencoe have cemented their top two finish, but the battle for third and fourth is still tight, with four sides vying for two positions.

Tantanoola v Port MacDonnell


Tantanoola sought redemption after their first-round two goal loss to Port MacDonnell, with the Demons continuing their strong finish to the season, despite a five-goal defeat to fellow finals contender Robe last week.

Under clear skies, the game began with Port MacDonnell’s defensive duo Emily Thompson and Alana Berkefeld showcasing impressive rebounding skills.

Tantanoola’s Jami Walker exhibited confident shooting and fluid movement, while Emma Gould demonstrated strong positioning. Berkefeld’s sharp play-reading resulted in crucial intercepts, allowing Port MacDonnell to edge ahead 11-10 at the first break.

In the second quarter Tantanoola applied strong defensive pressure, with Casey Walker delivering precise feeds to the Tigers.

Both Gould and Kori Collins were reliable and accurate for their respective teams. The Tigers’ cohesive team play enabled them to take a 24-21 lead by half time.

Tantanoola came out strong in the third quarter, with Jami Walker’s dynamic movement in the circle initially extending their lead to six goals.

However, Port MacDonnell quickly fought back as Thompson made a crucial intercept and secured several key rebounds.

Efficient transitions from mid-court players Alysha Coon and Cody Manning allowed goalers Collins and Megan Hein to capitalise on the opportunities and close the gap.

Despite Tantanoola’s Casey Walker’s effective play in the centre, the score was tied 38-all going into the final quarter.

Port MacDonnell emerged strong in the final quarter, quickly establishing a three-goal lead.

Hein and Collins worked well together despite the defensive pressure from Bella Poulish and Kate Bromley.

Shelby Ryan’s tight defence led to crucial intercepts, narrowing the margin to two goals.

Berkefeld and Thompson continued to restrict the Tigers’ scoring opportunities.

In the final quarter, Gould converted 11 of her 12 shots, keeping Tantanoola within reach.

However, Thompson’s ability to capitalise on any errant passes allowed Port MacDonnell to maintain control.

The Demons’ disciplined play limited the Tigers’ scoring chances, ultimately securing a 54-49 victory.

Tantanoola’s best players were Casey Walker and Emma Gould, while for Port MacDonnell it was Kori Collins and Emily Thompson.

Robe v Mount Burr


Robe was determined to keep their finals aspirations alive in their clash against Mount Burr at the seaside.

With Mount Burr also battling for a spot in the finals and facing a couple of tough games ahead, both teams came out firing in the first quarter.

Robe’s defensive circle pressure, led by Alannah Campbell and Emillie Gould, was relentless, capitalising on Mount Burr’s missed goal opportunities with strong rebounds and smart play-reading.

On the offensive end, Demi Carter expertly managed the attack line, ensuring that control and patience were maintained as the ball was fed into the goal circle.

At the first break Robe was up by seven, 16-9.

Mount Burr intensified their defensive pressure in the second quarter, effectively halting Robe’s offensive momentum. They forced numerous short passes and ensured dynamic movement had to be made from Robe’s goalies.

Despite this, Robe’s Sophie Bates and Gould applied relentless pressure on Mount Burr’s centre passes, leading to unforced errors and giving Robe a distinct advantage.

At halftime, the score remained in favour of Robe, 31-16.

Maddi Haggett proved to be a formidable target for the Burr in the third quarter, benefiting from precise feeds by Laura Schultz. This dynamic duo made it exceedingly difficult for Robe’s defence to disrupt their play.

Consequently, Mount Burr managed to close the gap, with Robe narrowly winning the quarter by just one goal.

Despite this, Lucy Perkins stood out as the best player, using her preliminary movement to drive strongly into the centre circle while maintaining impressive fitness and intensity throughout. Robe remained up 41-25 at the final change.

Mount Burr persisted with their pressure in the final quarter, but Robe’s resilience proved too much to overcome.

A strategic adjustment saw Bates move to centre and Annie Regnier switch to wing defence, allowing Robe to reset and regain control.

The Roosters finished the quarter strong, sealing the game with a final score of 55-38.

Best players for Robe were Lucy Perkins and Demi Carter, with Megan Thiele and Ella Easterby best on court for Mount Burr.

Kongorong v Kalangadoo


Kongorong took on the in-form Kalangadoo at the Hawks’ home court in the battle of the birds.

The first quarter featured plenty of equal use of the ball, however the Magpies used it more efficiently with some great feeding to the goal circle from Jayde Peacock.

The reigning premiers set the pace for the game being up 19-6 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter the Hawks’ Emily Lightbody and Rach Perry worked hard in defence but the Kalangadoo shooters were showing great accuracy at the ring with Abbey Duncan shooting eight from nine and Ebony McDiarmid 11 from 15.

The accurate shooting from the ladder leaders had them in front by 24 at half time, and the Hawks had some work to do.

Kongorong mixed it up in the third quarter with some position changes and then some tactical changes during the quarter.

This did slow the flow of the game, with the Hawks’ defence working hard to put pressure on the Magpies in the circle, but it was proving to be a big ask.

The Magpies stepped it up in the final quarter with their defence doing some great work in the ring.

The accuracy of goalies Duncan and McDiarmid was a force to be reckoned, once again rarely missing, as Duncan landed 10 from 12 and McDiarmid 15 from 19.

The Hawks mixed it up a little giving Evie Sealey and run in the centre but in the end it was an easy win to the away team, 78-32.

Kongorong’s best players were Rach Perry and Emily Lightbody, with Lara Munro and Georgia Duncan named best for Kalangadoo.

Glencoe v Nangwarry


In beautiful, sunny conditions Nangwarry headed to Glencoe to take on the in-form Murphies, who were coming off the defeat of top of the table Kalangadoo.

However, it was a more unorthodox line up for the Glencoe side as Chloe Hentschke started the match in the unfamiliar position of GK combing with Sarah Edwards.

It was Edwards who got her side off to the perfect start, intercepting the first centre pass.

Down the Glencoe attack line, the ball was being moved at speed making it difficult for Nangwarry circle defenders Jemma Glynn and Kayla Gray to find their feet.

Ashlea Pfitzner drove to circle’s edge and found Jenna Paproth on the front cut at ease.

Michelle Richardson was giving her all for the Saints and was rewarded with some early touches in the quarter.

The Nangwarry attack line struggled to penetrate through the Glencoe defence and the Murphies headed into the first break leading 23-6.

Caitlin Hentschke entered the game at GK for the Murphies, bolstering their defensive line up.

Glencoe continued their slick ball movement with Alice Tentye working in tangent with Pfitzner to find the ring and patiently feed into Paproth and Madeline Watson.

Gray began to grow in confidence for Nangwarry and contested any high balls, but Watson continued to be strong on the take.

For the Saints, Taysha Marshall was working hard at WA to pick her way through the Murphies’ defence and find Sheridan Sakkers and Ebony Wurst at the post.

The Murphies defence continued to make this hard and worked as a unit to shut down the easy option and create turnovers and at half time Glencoe was up 48-10.

After the break Nangwarry moved Alice Circelli into GA and Ebony Wurst into C.

The sunny conditions appeared to take a toll on the players, with the speed of goal conversion dropping.

Circelli created more movement in the Nangwarry goal circle and opened up Sakkers to find some back space.

For the Murphies, Watson and Paproth continued to work hard to create space for one another as a new combination.

Marshall and Mckayla Maney for Glencoe were having a great tussle on the wing.

At the final break the Murphies led by 47, 61-14.

With nothing to lose in the final quarter, Gray came out firing for the Saints and picked up some impressive low ball intercepts and stepped up on the rebounds.

However, the young Nangwarry side were unable to capitalise and find their way through the back four of Hentschke, Edwards, Maney and Tentye for Glencoe, who forced plenty of held balls in the final 15 minutes.

The Saints made a tactical change bringing the fresh legs of Scarlett Black onto the court at WD but it was too late with the Murphies having set up the win early in the contest and running out winners 72-17.

Best players for the Murphies were Pfitzner and Tentye, while Marshall and Sakkers were the standouts for the Saints.