Gallery | Mooroopna’s milestone girls stand tall against Shepparton Swans in Goulburn Valley League netball action
It was a day for milestones — and Mooroopna made sure the scoreboard followed suit.
Saturday marked a special moment for five Cats netballers and, though Georgia Gattuso and Keely Madgwick were narrowly beaten in their B-grade clash, Mooroopna’s A-graders honoured the moment with a statement win.
Mooroopna toppled Shepparton Swans by 27 goals in their round 14 Goulburn Valley League match, putting a decisive exclamation mark on a day steeped in legacy.
Shelby Britten, Dayna Williams and Asha Gray ticked past 100 games — either at A-grade or club level — in the Blue Ribbon Shield match at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
It didn’t take long for the Cats to stamp their authority.
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Shepparton Swans’ Jaylah Meda played a valiant game in goal attack. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 7
Mooroopna’s Rhani Hendy flies through the centre of the court. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 7
Shepparton Swans’ Sophie Garner scans for a red dress. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 7
Mooroopna’s Claudia Plattfuss latches on to a pass in the attacking arc. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 7
Shepparton Swans’ Kate Betson commands her side from the wing. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 7
Mooroopna’s Chloe Meulenmeesters takes the ball in her stride. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 7
Mooroopna’s Shelby Britten played her 100th A-grade game on Saturday. Photo by Megan FisherMooroopna’s height advantage was clear from the jump, with goal shooter Ash Lancaster proving clinical under the ring after being fed by electric midcourters Gray and Rhani Hendy.
The Swans relied on crafty passing from Kate Betson, driving the ball into Jaylah Meda and Chelsea McDonald, but the visitors were coughing up ball whereas Mooroopna remained more fluid and less errant.
Mooroopna took a 19-9 lead into quarter-time and edged it out to 32-20 at the main break.
Then Di Hanslow started experimenting.
The Cats’ coach slung players into different positions — including a rare foray in goal attack for Gray — but the performance hardly dipped, Mooroopna extending its buffer to 20 by the third change of ends.
The Swans didn’t roll over in the final term, but Mooroopna proved too quick down the court, sealing a 65-38 win thanks to a domineering Lancaster display.
Britten marked the day with another accolade, collecting the Blue Ribbon Medallion for a best-on-court performance that locks the Cats in fourth ahead of a blockbuster showdown with Shepparton.
Meanwhile, in the early fixture, Tatura kicked off its Ladies Day function in style with a gritty four-goal result over Echuca.
The Bulldogs rallied from six goals down at the half to square things up at three-quarter time, going on to record a 40-36 triumph against the Murray Bombers with Elsie Boyer starring in the win.
At Deakin Reserve, Shepparton staved off a spirited challenge from Shepparton United.
The Bears were down by two goals at quarter-time, but stepped up a gear after the break, eventually earning bragging rights over the co-tenant 67-52.
Euroa returned to the winners’ list after the previous round’s loss, marking Eliza Hoare’s 200th club game with a 71-36 victory over Rochester.
Finally, Kyabram prevailed 48-43 in a see-sawing encounter against Benalla, while Seymour whipped past Mansfield by 39 goals.