We welcomed back Michael Ryan, Dylan and Lachlan Sinclair in for their first games of the season as well as David Whitchurch and Dwaine Lancaster for their first club games.
The guys started well in the first quarter bringing great pressure and intensity controlling the ball for a lot of the first half of the quarter but weren’t able to capitalise in front of goal.
The boys’ pressure dropped off for 10 minutes which allowed the visitors to make the most of it and get the ascendency on the scoreboard by 12 points at the first break.
The young Panther side again started the second quarter well and was able to kick a major to gain confidence. The ball movement and use at times was very good, but again the drop-off in pressure and not maintaining structure really hurt the team, allowing Whorouly to have repeat inside forward 50s which it made the most of. The visitors went into half-time five goals in front.
Jesse was concussed during the quarter in a heavy hit, ruling him out for the remainder of the game.
The half-time break gave the guys a chance to regroup and allowed for the coach to provide some clear feedback to the group. In the third quarter, the Panther boys’ defence was extremely resilient, regularly rebounding the ball under pressure and trying to find multiple different ways to bring the ball out of defence, but they were unable to score a major in the quarter.
The guys lifted in the last quarter and dominated most of the play. They kicked two goals, but some basic skill errors and turnovers allowed the opposition to score and finally run out 10 goal winners.
After the game the coach was happy with patches of play where the ball movement, intensity and pressure were where they need to be which allowed the Panthers to control patches of the game, but also reminded the boys that their challenge was to do it every minute of every quarter and to reduce the lapses.
New recruit Dwaine Lancaster played a great first game for the Panthers and looks to be a very solid player.
Jordan Smith played his best game for the club in a couple of years after having two breaks in his leg during the 2023 season. Young gun Sam Cox continues to show his class and has slotted in beautifully for his first season as a senior footballer.
The guys are improving week to week and will continue to work hard on and off the track.
Awards: Benalla Golf Club driving range: Chelton Orchard. Royal Hotel Award: Jordan Smith. $50 voucher Dwaine Lancaster.
A-grade
In the first home game for the 2024 season Benalla hosted Whorouly in what was a huge four-quarter display of high intensity and quality netball.
Our girls were keen to get out on the court and prove that we have what it takes to be competitive and they did exactly that. Coming out firing and getting the jump on Whorouly early, pulling in rebounds and being able to easily convert the ball down the court to our shooters.
Benalla held a solid lead all game until going into the last quarter 31-31.
Going into the game with only seven players there wasn’t much room for movement, with Whorouly able to throw in some fresh legs and change up its combinations throughout the game, winning 38-42.
Meagan Hausner had another great game, running out all four quarters in centre, playing a key linking roll from one end of the court to the other and keeping a calm and steady head throughout the whole game, proving once again why she was chosen as A-grade captain.
Emma Sangster took on a leadership roll down in the defensive end, directing play and being in the line ready to help reset if needed.
Mikaylah Lessing had a huge day out in goal defence, getting hands to everything and pulling in rebounds when it counted most, really making the attackers work for every ball.
Awards: Royal Hotel Award: Meagan Hausner. Sports Power Award: Emma Sangster. Benalla Racing Club Award: Mikaylah Lessing.
B-grade
In our first home game for the season we hosted a very tall Whorouly side.
From the get-go the defensive pressure from our girls was amazing, and they continued this pressure throughout the game, making the Lions work hard for the ball even as the scoreline drifted out.
Haylea Smith was given a mammoth task down back in GK and rose to the challenge, pulling in countless rebounds and cutting off multiple balls before they reached opposition hands, making the Whorouly shooters work for every ball.
She was well supported by Bec Wrest who once again had a great defensive game. Lilly Robertson showed her versatility swinging from defence to attack and working hard from each end of the court.
Unfortunately the scoreline did not show how hard the girls worked , but those who watched the game can appreciate the effort the girls put in on that court.
Whorouly 59 defeated Benalla 9.
Awards: Royal Hotel: Haylea Smith. Milner Watson Pharmacy: Bec Wrest. Sport Power: Lilly Robertson.
Under-17s
The under-17s had another tough game but showed great perseverance and sportsmanship.
Alicia Langlands once again kept her eyes up and managed being switched between defence and the mid-court seamlessly.
Libby Renkin had an amazing attitude to being thrown into defence and worked super hard putting a lot of pressure on the very accurate shooters.
Keira Brown also kept a supper positive attitude when things got tough. There were plenty of positives that we can build on moving into next week’s game against Bright. Final score 5 vs 49.
Awards: Hollywoods Pizza: Alicia Langlands. Chill Out Smoothie Bar: Libby Renkin. All Blacks club award: Keira Brown.
Under-15s
The under-15s were excited for their first home game against Whorouly on Saturday. The girls adapted really well to the wet weather conditions, moving well and being patient with their passing.
As the game progressed our attacking end Ilka Cuneen and Arabella Cavicchiolo began to move well together, giving Darcie Jackson and Sharni Hughes opportunities to feed beautifully into the ring.
Whorouly’s accurate shooters, meant Olivia McKenzie and Tahlia Humphrey had to work hard in the ring to get intercepts and rebounds to then pass to Ruby Crook who was a great option when bringing the ball back down the court. Final score 10-23.
Awards: Slices by Alara: Darcie Jackson. Harley’s Pizza: Tahlia Humphrey. Spot 4 Icecream: Ilka Cuneen.
