NNE Vipers have ended the impressive three-game winning streak of Melbourne Quakes in Round 9 of the M-League Premier Mixed competition on Wednesday night. The Vipers, who have had an up and down season to-date, were able to strike at the right time to take control early and maintain that advantage to run out 11-goal victors over the Quakes, 50-39.

Melbourne Quakes duly missed shooter David Chisholm under the post, with Annabelle Gorman joined by Jed Christian in the shooting circle. They struggled in the opening term, sharing just seven goals, as Alexander Nichols (eight) and Brooke Dadds (seven) helped the Vipers to an eight-goal quarter time lead.

At quarter time, the Quakes moved goal defence Caitie Kennedy into wing attack, as Simon Cartwright came on at wing defence, and Billy Mahoney was rested. Ronan Pring pushed out from goal keeper to goal defence, and wing defence Elly Randall went back to goal keeper to keep the magnets switching. The Vipers defensive end also had chance with Charlotte Davies and Dan King replacing Bridget Ryan and Sam Dugan in wing defence and goal defence, while Michael Dower came on for Nichols in the shooting circle.

Both teams managed the 10 goals in the second term to keep the margin at eight, while the Quakes did manage to gain some ascendancy in the third quarter, piling on 13 goals to 11 to get it back to a six-goal deficit at the final break. Gorman played her best quarter firing off 12 goals, while Mahoney coming on into goal attack provided great support, with Kennedy and centre Olivia Cameron moving the ball well in transition.

Despite the inroads made in the third term, the Vipers stepped up in the final 15 minutes scoring 14 goals to nine to run out 11-goal winners, 50-39. The result was largely off the Vipers’ fast start and kept them well in the top four hunt. Dower shot 11 goals coming on for the last quarter after a rest, while Ben Bruitzman was a clear standout in the victory alongside Dadds (12 goals in a half and then played wing attack in the last quarter). Pring was a key player in defence despite the Quakes’ loss.

The other relatively close contest took place between reigning M-League Mixed Premiers Geelong, and an out-of-form Ariels. After winning their first two matches, the Ariels have sunk to six consecutive losses. It did not stop them fighting hard against Geelong though, but they ultimately came up short again, losing by 13 goals, 57-44.

Zana Woods was the star for Geelong scoring 41 goals in the victory and absence of Cameron Allum and Brodie McCleish, while Sarah Szczykulski impressed in defence. Josh Bepplei was nominated as the best from the losing side, while in a rare sight in M-League, Ariels goal attack Jemma Osborne received a warning for obscene language after berating herself for missing a shot.

The other two matches were blowouts, with Altona Falcons producing the biggest score of the year and doubling the winless Eastside Sonics, 84-42. Piling on at least 20 goals in three of the four quarters, Andrew Lewis was unstoppable, outscoring the Sonics by himself with 72 goals keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Adam Franz played a key role in centre and wing attack, while Nyibol Akec was important on both wings.

In the final Round 9 match, Parkville Panthers flexed their muscles to remain undefeated with a 28-goal victory over LTU. Starting off strong, the Panthers lead by nine goals at quarter time, then crushed LTU in the third term 23-10, which was the catalyst behind the huge 79-51 victory. Amy Starzer scored 33 goals in goal shooter for the Panthers, as Connor Lilly (24) and Brodie Roberts (22) also contributed well. Riley Richardson was unsurprisingly crucial in centre for three quarters, while Liam Killey put up plenty of goals for his side, with 45 of his team’s 51 goals coming from his hands.

M-LEAGUE ROUND 9 PREMIER MIXED RESULTS

NNE Vipers (50) defeated Melbourne Quakes (39)
Parkville Panthers (79) defeated LTU (51)
Geelong (57) defeated Ariels (44)
Altona Falcons (84) defeated Eastside Sonics (42)