IN Round 2 of the Australian Netball League (ANL) the Tasmanian Magpies and Victorian Fury continued their undefeated start to the season. Meanwhile the GIANTS slumped to the bottom of the ladder unable to record a win.

Netball NSW Waratahs (55) defeated Western Sting (49)

It was a relatively even start with both sides contesting hard for the ball. The NSW Waratahs edged ahead at quarter time to hold a two-goal lead until the Sting fought back in the second term winning a few crucial turnovers and squaring all things up at half time. But that is where it stopped for Sting who were unable to maintain that intensity conceding 31 goals in the second half. Matisse Letherbarrow was superb under the ring showcasing her hot hand with a whopping 36 goals from 40 attempts at 90 percent, fellow goaler Alison Miller also found her range sitting at 100 percent from her eight shots. Abbey McCulloch was solid in wing defence tagging her opposition well and applying good hands over pressure. For the Western Sting Emma Cosh and Sloan Burton had their work cut out for them but made sure that they stayed calm and composed under pressure to take the shots when in range. Goal defence Sunday Aryang also showcased her solid defensive work particularly in the air with her leap.

Territory Storm (46) defeated by Queensland Fusion (65)

The Queensland Fusion seemed to have the ball on a string against the Storm who had no answers for their quick ball movement and precision down the court. Fusion led at every break and maintained their pressure throughout the four quarters to ensure that they got the win. The rotations through the shooting circle did not seem to bother the Fusion with Rylie Holland dominating under the post with 37 goals from 41 attempts at a whopping 91 percent. Mia Stower was also handy around the goals with 14 from 17 while Alexia Baker also slotted five goals in the win. For the Storm Lucinda Benjamin and Binnian Hunt combined well in the goal circle, creating space for one another and setting good screens but it was not enough to get them over the line. Benjamin led the way with 25 goals but her conversion rate was low only sitting at 68 percent.

Southern Force (37) defeated by Victorian Fury (63)

It was neck and neck to start with neither side able to be separated at quarter time with 12 goals apiece. But the Fury pushed ahead after quarter time piling on 19 goals in the second term alone and did not look back outplaying the Force as the game went on. Emma Ryde was prolific under the post holding her space well and using her height to full advantage with 47 goals from 56 attempts. Mikaela Vaughan was solid in at goal attack working hard to feed the ball into the circle and then sweep across the goal circle to contribute to the scoreboard with 14 goals. Jacqueline Newton and Rudi Ellis were solid in defence with their hands over pressure and physicality. The Southern Force on the other hand could not contain the offensive pressure of the Fury making a host of changes throughout the game with Jordan Vivien, Chelsea Blackman and Emily Burgess all working hard. In the goal circle Cody Lange was unable to find her range only managing 11 goals from her 21 shots, while Nyah Allen was the top scorer with 14 goals.

Canberra GIANTS (52) defeated by Tasmanian Magpies (60)

The Magpies led from the get go and worked tirelessly to treasure possession across the court. They gradually extended their winning margin at each quarter to run away eight point winners. The Magpies were led in attack by Jane Cook who was prolific under the post putting up 42 shots at 92 percent. In the first half of netball alone Cook posted 24 goals to push her sides lead out while Samantha Gooden was also solid under the post chipping in with 15 goals. Through the midcourt Vanessa Augustini was pivotal opening up the court and fighting hard to secure good feeding position. In defence for the Waratahs Teigan O’Shannassy was instrumental contesting every ball while Toni Anderson showed her versatility moving between wing defence and goal defence. Goal shooter Georgia Marshall was the go to girl in attack for the Waratahs finding good space and using her clever footwork to be a threat in the goal circle sitting at 37 from 41 at 91 percent.

Territory Storm (51) defeated by Queensland Fusion (60)

It was another tight game between the two sides but in the end, it was the Queensland Fusion who came away with another nine goal win against the Storm. It was relatively even at quarter time but the Fusion added on 15 goals in the second term to head into the half time break up by 10 goals and continued that form for the rest of the match. Wing attack and part time shooter Alexia Baker found good space on the goal circle but failed to find the net. Holland continued her hot form under the post with 32 from 35 at 92 percent. Defensively Shenae Grant, Bridey Condren and Leah Middleton all played their role applying hands over pressure and confusing the space for their opposition. Storm goaler, Benjamin found her range with 34 goals with wing attacks Stephanie O’Brien and Courtney Murphy letting go of bullet passes into her.

Southern Force (50) defeated by Victorian Fury (51)

After a blowout in the first game of the round the Southern Force came out with a real fire in the belly. They lead at all the breaks but were unable to hang on in the dying minutes with the Fury fighting hard to remain undefeated. Their connections down the court were on song creating good space for one another and capitalising in the goal circle sitting at 89 percent compared to the Fury’s 77. Asha Thurlow and Lucy Austin were impressive in attack putting up goal after goal and were not afraid to turn and shoot. Thurlow recorded 27 goals, while Austin added 20. Ine-Mari Venter was the standout shooter for the Fury swapping between goal shooter and goal attack and using her good footwork, clever read of the play and accuracy to dice up her opposition nailing 30 of her 39 attempts. Ryde was down on her usual volume but still played her role while she was on the court. Lara Dunkley was clever with ball in hand and used her vision and speed to get into damaging feeding positions.

Canberra GIANTS (57) defeated by Tasmanian Magpies (75)

It was a tight tussle with the GIANTS and Magpies going toe to toe for the first three quarters until the Tasmanian Magpies put on a masterclass across the court with their precise ball movement and accuracy to post in the last term. They piled on a whopping 21 goals to 10 in the last quarter out running and outplaying the GIANTS who were gallant in defeat. Once again Cook starred in the goal circle only missing two goals for the entire match both of which came in the third term finishing at 97 percent with 59 goals. Magpies defenders, Brooke Allen and Karli Foster stepped it up in the last term applying pressure over the shot and going out hunting to create turnover ball. GIANTS goalers Angelina Frketic and Marshall combined well in the circle and held up strong for the first three quarters driving hard and turning and shooting with Marshall leading the way with 36 from 41 but it was not enough. The ball placement from Eliza Burton and Latika Tombs was good, making clever decisions on when to let the ball go but were unable to carry that form over into the final term of the game.

Netball NSW Waratahs (68) defeated Western Sting (40)

The Waratahs increased their lead at every change and put on a dominant performance from the first whistle. In the second quarter alone the Waratahs piled on 19 goals and did not look back applying strong defensive and offensive pressure across the ground. Sophie Garbin was phenomenal in the goal circle with her accuracy second to none with a whopping 40 goals, shouldering the load for the Waratahs. Youngster, Letherbarrow also contributed to the scoreboard with nine goals. Elle Bennetts and Tayla Fraser were clever with ball in hand to shake off their opponents and then hit the circle edge to feed into the Waratahs shooters. Swifts players Maddy Turner and Lauren Moore were impressive down in defence applying strong hands over pressure and contesting every ball to nullify the influence of Sting goalers Alice Teague-Neeld who only managed six goals from her 10 attempts for the game. Georgia Pitt showed great composure under the post with 22 goals leading the way for Sting with her intent to turn and shoot.