PARKVILLE Panthers have come away with a hard-fought nine-goal win over Valley Wolves off the back of a strong first half in Round 4 of their M-League Mixed Premier division clash. The Panthers piled on27 goals to 16 in the first half to open up a double-digit lead, though the reigning premiers did not have it all their own way. The Wolves continued to fight into the second half, and though they won the third term, it would not be enough to take home the victory with the Panthers steadying in the last to win, 47-38.

The reigning premiers came into the game as favourites, and started strongly, with the shooting pair of Amy Starzer (nine goals) and Connor Lilly (seven) combining well to open up a six-goal buffer at the first break. James Story was putting up nine of his own goals for the Wolves, but Panthers goal defence Bridget Aughton and wing defence Tristan Comans were limiting Monique Nagle‘s shooting, with the leader putting up the one goal in the opening quarter.

As has become a regular change, Nagle subbed herself off for Nat Billings who had an immediate impact in the second term, shooting five goals, but unfortunately for the Wolves, that was the majority of the scoring, with just six for the term as the Panthers opened up a 27-11 lead at the main break. Jake Hederics was dominating at goal keeper putting pressure on taller opponents, as Story and Brayden Pastore rotated through the circle.

The third term saw a change of fortunes for the Wolves, as Story returned to the court and put up eight goals, with the underdogs winning the term, 10-8. Taurin Eimermacher had a big first half in wing attack, and though he was off for a break which saw Pastore take the centre bib, the Wolves still functioned well through the midcourt. The Panthers had an even team performance as Hederics rotated into goal shooter and Comans went back to goal keeper.

By the final term, the favourites had rotated a few more players with Starzer back into goal shooter, Lilly switching to goal keeper in a surprise move, while Jarrod Cowling went into goal attack, and Comans went to wing defence. For the Wolves, Nagle continued the second half in wing attack, with Eimermacher replacing Pastore again in centre. Story would finish the game with 28 goals to his name, but an even 12-apiece final term ensured the Panthers picked up the win.

Despite missing the likes of Kaylia Stanton, Riley Richardson, Sienna Allen and Georgette Paatsch from the starting seven, the Panthers showed why they are one of the teams to beat with some of the best depth in the league. Hederics and Lilly were among the most impressive on court, as they were able to rotate plenty of players and test out different combinations in the nine-goal win.

In a similar result, Altona Falcons picked up the win over NNE Vipers. The Falcons dominated the opening term 20-12 to set up the eventual seven-goal win, as Uneeq Palavi was a class above. She shot 15 goals in the opening term, and 38 for the match, steering the Falcons to victory with help from fellow Australian Netball League (ANL) Magpies teammate Montana Holmes in wing attack. Nathan Selvidge was also impressive in goal defence, while Michael Dower continued his good form in the shooting circle for the Vipers, scoring 29 goals,. including 12 in the final term.

Meanwhile Geelong continued its unbeaten start to the M-League season with a 16-goal victory over Melbourne Quakes. Building a double-digit lead by half-time, the second half was closer, bu the Quakes could not overcome the strength of the side from down the highway, with Geelong winning, 73-57. Chelsea Ross came in for Geelong and starred in wing attack, setting up the likes of Cameron Allum (52 goals) and Zanna Woods (21), while Jake Noonan controlled the midcourt in the final three quarters. Quakes’ Olivia Cameron did well in the centre bib for the first half, before moving into the attacking third for the second half.

LTU’s high-scoring run continued against Eastside Sonics, picking up an 11-goal win over the cellar dwellers. With Liam Killey again unstoppable in attack, LU poured on a whopping 56 goals in three quarters, before finishing ahead, 69-58. Killey scored 62 of his side’s goals, while the likes of Elias Kafritsas in center and Andrew Burgess in goal keeper were also among the best. Jack Carpenter tried hard in goal shooter for the Sonics, managing 45 goals in the loss.