Netball
28 July, 2026
Worthy leads Demons past Rats, Roos firm third
Horsham returned to the winners' circle in round 14 with a 61-49 victory against Ararat.
While the Rats entered the game full of confidence following a 61-49 win against Warracknabeal in round 13, the Demons lost 52-49 against Dimboola, suffering their third loss of the season.
Through Imogen Worthy and Georgie Carberry, the hosts took a 6-2 lead before Ararat clawed back through Faith Biddle and Laney McLoughlan.
Two late goals to the Rats coach cut the margin in half, with Horsham ahead 15-13.
Horsham was able to double its lead before halftime with another 15-13 quarter.
Despite scoring at a goal-per-minute rate, coach Carberry said it was a very defensively focused contest.
“Right from our goal shooter all the way down, we worked really hard on putting our hands over the ball pressure,” she said after the game.
“I think in recent weeks we probably have slacked off on that, or haven't gotten on with it quick enough
“Turnover, like who cares? Just get back onto defence, and I think that was the difference for us today. Went really, really hard on it.”
Ahead 30-26 at the main break, Carberry said it was important for her team to take every centre pass on its merits.
“Our focus going forward is starting from scratch at every break,” the coach said.
“I think we can't look at the scoreboard and think, ‘yeah, we've got a nice little lead’.”
Captain Ebonie Salter added the team’s fitness and bench depth have paid dividends this season.
“Some of that has been forced upon us, and some of it has just been because people have earned that spot in the A grade,” she said.
“We now are in a fortunate position where we've had girls in that team that have played a lot of A grade netball this season, so we are going to use that right deep into finals.
“We know that whoever's on that court, they can bring that new intensity.”
That bench depth was on full display after half-time as Horsham brought on the veteran Salter, playing for the first time since round 11, and Ginger Short.
Meanwhile, Ararat brought in Paige Biddle for her first game of the season.
Horsham enjoyed its best quarter of the game, scoring 16 goals while limiting the Rats to 10 in the third.
Ahead by 10 goals at the final break, the Demons maintained their scoring rate, outscoring the visitors 15-13 to win by 12 goals.
Worthy top scored with 44 goals at 88 per cent accuracy, complemented by Zarli Knight’s 12 goals (70%) and Carberry’s five (71%).
Starting centre Febey McClure and Worthy were named best on court for the victors.
Faith Biddle and McLoughlan shared the goals, scoring 25 (81%) and 24 (73%), respectively.
Salter praised Worthy's hard work.
“Immy really led from the front this week,” she said.
Roos firm third with Thunder win
Dimboola firmed its hold on third place with a 53-29 win against Southern Mallee Thunder.
Playing at Beulah Memorial Park, it was the Roos who got off to a strong start, with Nicole Polycarpou teaming up with old partner Billie Schilling.
The duo helped Dimboola earn an 11-5 lead at the first break.
The Thunder found their groove in the second quarter, adding nine goals.
However, the visitors were able to score 12 as they went into the main break ahead 23-14.
Eloise Wills stepped into goal attack as Schilling returned to the midcourt, but the Roos’ scoring rate did not suffer.
Dimboola scored 18 goals in the third quarter while limiting the Thunder to just six.
At the final break, the visitors held a 21-goal lead.
Dimboola’s Stephanie Glover took a well-earned break in the final quarter as Temika Greig stepped into goal keeper.
The hosts were kept to just six goals in the fourth quarter as the Roos won by 24 goals.
Nicole Polycarpou top scored with 38 goals (88%), while Eloise Wills added 11 (73%).
Barber (four goals at 40%) and Glover were named best on court for Dimboola.
Phoebe Bigham scored 23 goals (68%) for the Thunder, while Luca Landrigan finished with six (50%).
Landrigan and Bigham were named best on court for the hosts.
The win was Dimboola’s eighth for the season and puts them eight points ahead of Ararat on the ladder.
Stawell drew level with its rivals following its sixth win of the year after defeating Nhill 59-47 at Davis Park.
Ayva Mitchell was the Warriors’ focal point, scoring 51 goals (80%)and was named best on court alongside Lise Considine.
Stawell’s scoring rate was impressive, leading 15-12 at the first break, before scoring another 15 goals before halftime.
Down by nine goals at the main break, Nhill pushed the tempo in the third quarter, but Stawell won the quarter 17-15.
With the margin now in double figures, the Warriors were focused on holding their lead.
While it was their lowest scoring quarter with 12 goals, Stawell still outscored the Tigers.
Ruby James top scored for the hosts with 34 goals (72%), and Emma Beer added eight (55%).
Courtney Hillier and Shae-Lea Fischer were named best on court for Nhill.
Horsham Saints extended its win streak following an 82-40 win against Minyip Murtoa.
Playing at the Minyip Recreation Reserve, the visitors got off to a 4-0 start through Jorja Clode.
The Burras fought back with three goals to Jessica Newell before the defending premiers showed their prowess and turned a 4-3 lead into 13-6.
The Saints' defensive pressure mounted on the hosts as they turned interceptions into goals.
At the first break, Horsham Saints were ahead 20-12.
The visitors' ability to string multiple goals saw them extend their lead in the second quarter as Clode and Megan Byrne seemingly scored at will.
A 19-7 quarter saw the Saints go into the main break ahead by 20 goals.
Despite a 20-goal lead, Horsham Saints were relentless in the second half, outscoring Minyip Murtoa 19-11 in the third quarter.
Ahead by 28 goals in the final quarter, Saints rested players and gave several players experience in new positions.
Nevertheless, they enjoyed their highest scoring quarter with 24.
Clode finished with 72 goals (92%), and Byrne added 10 (56%).
Midcourters Ashlee Grace and Lani King were named best on court for their influence on the game across all four quarters.
The Burras shared the goals with Jessica Newell’s 18 goals (78%) ahead of Jenna Schneider's 11 (73%) and Tamira Cullinan’s 11 (65%).
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