Sport
6 August, 2025
Lions keep finals dream alive
Great Western A-Grade netballers have kept their slim finals chances alive, following a comfortable 42-goal win over Moyston Willaura at Great Western Recreation Reserve in round 14 of the Mininera Football Netball League.
Kim Hay returned from injury, having not played since round seven, and scored 19 goals with a shooting accuracy of 67.86%, but it was teenager Ruby Thomas, which was the star, scoring 41 goals at 77.36% accuracy to help guide the Lions to the all-important 62-20 win.
The first quarter was tight, with the Lions taking an eight-goal lead into quarter-time. It was the second quarter, however, which set up the win, with the Lions scoring 20 goals to three to lead by 25 at half-time.
They continued to play well in the second half, with not only the forwards hitting their shots, but Tessa O’Callaghan and Jordyn Leggett playing outstanding defence, limiting their opponents to 12 goals for the half.
Monique Dowling, Sarah Mills and Violet Day were terrific through the midcourt, providing plenty of drive.
Lions coach Tessa O’Callaghan said the win was a team effort.
“We are all locked in and fighting for the same reason, and it was a win where we walked off and were proud of everyone’s efforts on the court,” O’Callaghan said.
O’Callaghan said the return of Kim Hay was huge and praised both Hay and Ruby Thomas.
“We have had a few knocks this year and lost a couple of other players, so Kim was feeling alright and came back, which was awesome,” O’Callaghan said.
“It was nice to have a tall shooter again in the ring, and Kim and Ruby play well together, so it was nice having her back out there.
“Ruby has been playing well and has stepped up into our A-Grade team well. She has grown so much from her first game and has stepped into the team and taken on the challenge, and is getting better each week.”
On Saturday, the Lions travel to Woorndoo Recreation Reserve in an important clash. Woorndoo Mortlake are sixth on the ladder, on the same number of wins as the Lions, who sit in seventh.
With Glenthompson Dunkeld, and Hawkesdale McCarthur two games ahead in fourth and fifth, with only two games remaining, the loser won't make finals, while the winner has hope, only if one or both of those teams above them lose.
O’Callaghan said that while playing finals will be amazing, whatever happens, the girls can hold their heads high.
“Woorndoo Mortlake is a strong team, and we only defeated them by two goals last time, so we know it’s going to be a tough match as we are both fighting for our season,” O’Callaghan said.
“We have nothing to lose, and we have every bit of us wanting to win and get to the finals, and it would be amazing if we could get there.
“We have struggled with ins and outs and injuries and have kept fighting to get to where we are now, and it’s within our reach.
“Win, lose, or draw, the girls can be proud of our efforts this year.”
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