A COUPLE of third placed sides were able to hold off against their higher-ranked opponents, defeating them for the first time in the 2021/22 M-League Juniors season. Both DDNA (Under 18 Mixed) and Darebin (Under 15 Boys) were able to cause upsets in Round 8 of the competitions, as the league leader in each grade – WDNA – continued its stranglehold on the junior netball competition.

UNDER 18 MIXED:

WDNA Red (50) defeated Darebin (36)

A dominant 17 goals to nine third term proved to be the breakout quarter for a WDNA Red side to shake off Darebin in their Under 18 Mixed clash. Despite it being a top-against-bottom fixture, Darebin stuck with WDNA Red early, only trailing by five goals at half-time (15-20). The 17-9 third term broke it open on the scoreboard, and then another tight term (13-12) kept it at around that margin for the eventual 14-goal difference between the sides, 50-36.

Annie Byrnes was superb for WDNA Red across wing defence in the first half, then swung into wing attack in the last stanza. Joel Brown‘s switch from goal defence to goal attack in the third term changed the game, scoring 10 goals in that quarter to help WDNA Red to the big advantage before going back into goal defence. For Darebin, Jamie Shannon stood out with 20 goals in goal attack across the first three quarters.

DDNA (49) defeated St Therese (47)

In the match of the round, DDNA won a thriller against St Therese, getting up in a 98-goal game, 49-47. Trailing by a goal at quarter time, DDNA regained momentum to win the second term by four and hit the front to lead 27-24 at half-time. They built on that margin in the third term to extend it out to five before St Therese hit back. St Therese scored 12 goals to nine in the final term, but it would not be enough, falling shot by two goals. It meant the third placed side had caused an upset over the second ranked team this season.

DDNA’ Joshua Feeney starred through the midcourt, playing a half in centre and a half in wing attack to drive the ball forward during the win. Madeleine Leggio‘s versatility was also on show, starting in goal attack for DDNA where she scored seven goals, before being thrown into wing defence, then in the last term, wing attack. Madeline Ierino made an impact for St Therese coming on at quarter time to play wing defence and goal defence.

UNDER 18 BOYS:

WDNA Panthers (64) defeated Wyndham (37)

In the sole Under 18 Boys clash, the WDNA Panthers saluted by seven goals over Wyndham in a top-of-the-table clash. Leading by two goals at quarter time, the Panthers just seemed to have the upper hand. By half-time, that had grown to five, and the contest was at a tipping point. It was the league leaders who made a statement after the main break, piling on 34 goals to 12 in the second half to run out 27-goal winners in the end, 64-37.

Zac Mabilia shone through the centre bib in the final three quarters to really catch the eye for the winners and turn the game. Shane Maniapoto scored 32 goals for the game between goal attack (first half) and goal shooter (second half). For Wyndham, Brodie McCleish scored 20 of his side’s goals, while Blake Cachia scored 16 across the first three quarters before moving into centre for the last term.

UNDER 15 BOYS:

Darebin (34) defeated Caulfield (30)

In an absolute nail-biter Darebin came away with the upset win against Caulfield, edging closer to second on the table. Caulfield had only lost to WDNA Black, and Darebin had only beaten Kew previously, but it was Darebin who, after trailing by four goals at quarter time, piled on 21 goals to 11 over the next two quarters to lead 25-19 at the final break. With a six-goal difference, Caulfield threw everything into the contest, closing the difference back to one goal (30-29), before Darebin steadied to hold off its opponents with four of the last five goals and win, 34-30.

Tyson Lowman was superb rotating through centre and wing attack for the winners, controlling play and the ball into the shooting circle. Despite being on the losing side, William Whiteacre shone with his defensive work, as the goal keeper only allowed two goals in the three quarters he wore that bib. When thrown into goal attack he scored seven goals in the final term to almost get his team across the line.

WDNA Black (52) defeated Kew (18)

It was not as close in the other game, with WDNA Black piling on the goals to remain undefeated at the top of the Under 15 Boys table. Scoring 15 goals to three in the opening term, and had 24 goals to seven by half-time, the title favourites were well in control. The second half was much of the same with a 28 goals to 11 scoreline, as WDNA ran away with the 52-18 win.

Jonty Stickland was one of a number of outstanding players for WDNA Black, playing through centre in the opening half, then rolling into goal defence for the third term. Kew’s John Allen scored 14 of his side’s 18 goals, including 10 of his side’s 11 goals in the second half to really keep the motivation high despite the mounting deficit.