REIGNING M-League Premier Mixed champions Geelong survived an incredible effort from LTU to come away with a five-goal win in the two side’s Round 11 contest on Wednesday night. The Victorian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (VMNNA) returned from the mid-season break this week, and the match did not disappoint on Court 1, with Geelong having to dig deep after a dominant start, to eventually win, 56-51.

It was clearly the match of the round, though it did not look like it from early days, as the favourites piled on 16 goals to six in the opening term. Luke Marko Rawlings looked unstoppable in the goal shooter bib, registering 12 goals, and teaming up well with Lora Lagi Tauaanae. By contrast, the usually high-powered Liam Killey only shot six goals in the quarter, his lowest for the season, as the work of Josh Byron in goal keeper, and Olivia Taylor in wing defence chopping off passes and applying pressure was impacting LTU’s usual delivery.

LTU needed a change, and it came in the form of John Tran entering the court in centre, as Jessica Black moved up to goal attack, Emily Priddle went back into wing defence, and Elias Kafritsas came to the bench. The moves seemed to work as LTU chewed back into the lead almost immediately, with Killey scoring 16 goals, and the underdogs winning the quarter, 17-10.

Jake Noonan had taken a rest in the second term but was quickly brought back on in wing attack, as Ally O’Connor returned to the centre as she had in quarter one. Aside from Kafritsas coming on in goal keeper to give Andrew Burgess a rest, LTU remained unchanged for the third term.

It looked like the sides had found even ground, as LTU scored 13-12 and drew to within two goals at the final break, 36-38. Killey was up to 33 goals by that stage, while Rawlings (23) and Tauaanae (15) were sharing the load. Burgess came back on for the final 15 minutes in the only change for the court, and both sides went at it yet again.

Though Killey (15 goals) did his best to get LTU back into it, the underdogs fell short by five goals, as Rawlings put in a special effort for 13 goals to help guide Geelong to win the quarter 18-15, and the match, 56-51. Killey was voted best on in the loss, while Taylor, and the long-range shooting of Lagi Tauaanae also stood out.

AROUND THE COURTS

Geelong’s main threat for the title in the undefeated Parkville Panthers, had a much easier night out on Court 2 next to them. The Panthers made light work of winless Eastside Sonics, romping to a 45-goal win. Elli Leydin was sensational in wing attack to help set up the likes of Connor Lilly (38 goals) and Amy Starzer (37) to put up big numbers.

Altona Falcons also pressed their case for finals with a commanding 17-goal win over Valley Wolves. Andrew Lewis was outstanding in goal shooter by putting up 30 goals, and sharing the load with Joshua Smith (27). Despite the Falcons securing an impressive 67-50 victory, James Story (goal keeper) tried hard all match, while Taurin Eimermacher (eight goals) set up Nat Billings (42) well.

In the final game of the round, Melbourne Quakes won a thriller over Ariels, getting up by six goals. A tight one throughout the night, the three-goal last quarter difference was the most of any quarter, with the Quakes gaining breathing space to win, 54-48. Annabelle Gorman scored 26 goals in the win in a best-on performance, with midcourter Olivia Cameron also influential. Valley Wolves’ Kurt Thompson scored 22 goals as he stood out.