Gallery | Benalla All Blacks

Best players: Chelton Orchard, David Button, Jake Jones, Jesse Walker, Nathan Buhagiar, Sam Cox.

In the first round of the season, Benalla faced the daunting task of taking on last year’s premiers Bonnie Doon on its home ground.

The boys were pumped to get out there and put into practice what they’d done over pre-season.

The team started well, applying pressure to the opposition, with Damian Broughton slottting through the first goal of the season.

Bonnie Doon lifted at the centre clearances and was able to clear the ball and hit forward targets and convert its opportunities.

The Panthers were asked at quarter-time to focus on their structures as we believed that we hadn’t fully implemented the game plan we wanted to.

In the second and third quarters, Bonnie Doon showed why it is again a flag favourite by stepping up its intensity and class by moving the ball well up and down the field.

The boys battled really hard to defend at every contest but the opposition was fitter and stronger in the heat.

In the last quarter Benalla started to implement the structures and processes of its own game plan, and had some really great passages of play.

The Panthers moved the ball well in patches to show that they are more than capable of challenging sides when they stay composed and trust the game plan.

Jordan Smith kicked the Panthers’ second goal of the game.

The midfield battled hard all day with the backline showing some real resilience, dealing with repeat forward entries and constantly rebounding the ball out of defence.

Overall, it was a tough hit-out for Benalla, but players battled really hard all game, never gave up and played the game out in great spirits.

They will get back on the track this week, continue to work hard on their game plan and their structures and continue to improve.

They take on Whorouly this week for their first home game and look towards getting their first win of the season.

Final score : Bonnie Doon 29.19 (193) Panthers 2.1 (13)

A-grade

Awards:

Ray White Award: Meagan Hausner. Royal Hotel Award: Elyse Felstead. Club Award: Chloe Pilkingtonn.

Good Friday’s match-up against Bonnie Doon was a huge first hit-out for Benalla’s new-look A-grade side.

With a new defensive end thrown into the deep coming up against one of the top shooters in the league, Chloe Pilkington did a stellar job in her first game for the club, getting her hands to multiple balls and really making the shooters work for every ball.

Elyse Felstead combined well in the defensive end, doing all the hard work before the ball got into the ring, directing play and making plenty of second efforts.

Meagan Hausner was a standout as usual, demanding the ball through the mid-court and making good use of every possession.

Despite a huge effort by all the girls in extreme heat conditions Benalla fell short 36-74.

The new Panthers A-grade side is keen to get stuck in and see what they can achieve in the weeks to come.

B-grade

Awards: Royal Hotel Award: Amber McIntyre. Benalla Racing Club: Bec Wrest. Club Award: Emma Sangster.

In warm conditions we travelled to Bonnie Doon to take on the the reigning premiers. A shaky start saw an extremely accurate Doon get the jump on the girls but they soon settled and started to find their groove.

Amber McIntyre had a sensational game in her first match back after a 23-year hiatus from netball and will prove to be a great asset to the side. Emma Sangster was a calming force throughout the centre and down back giving the girls plenty of encouragement.

Bec Wrest worked tirelessly all game in defence for her first game in the black and white. All girls gave it their all against a quality side in very hot conditions. Bonnie Doon 87 defeated Benalla 14

Under-17s

Awards: Spot 4 Icreams: Alicia Langlands. Slices by Alara: Torah Heeps. All Blacks Canteen Voucher: Libby Renkin.

The 17s had a great first hit-out and showed a lot of promise for the season ahead. Alicia Langlands had a cracking first game. She showed great skill and patience all the way down the court.

Torah Heeps also played a dynamic game in goal attack, constantly changing her moves and keeping the defenders guessing. Libby Renkin played a solid defensive game in WD. Her pressure all the way down the court was a massive help. It was a great team effort and we are really looking forward to building on this first game and having a really competitive, fun season. Bonnie Doon 63 defeated All Blacks 17.

Under-15s

Awards:

Chill Out Smoothie Bar: Olivia McKenzie. Slices by Alara: Lola Crook. Benalla All Blacks Award: Tahlia Humphrey.

This week our under-15s side knew it was going to be a tough game but the girls stepped on the court ready to give it their best. Olivia McKenzie and Tahlia Humphrey worked hard down in defence all game trying to shut down Bonnie Doon’s strong shooters.

Sharni Hughes and Ruby Crook helped out the defenders by sticking tight and putting pressure on as the ball moved down the court. Benalla’s attacking end saw Ilka Cunneen and Lola Crook begin to move well together, working hard to try and create space for Harper Robertson and Darcie Jackson to feed into the goal ring but unfortunately for our girls, Bonnie Doon’s defenders were one step ahead.

Bonnie Doon took the win for round one with the final score being 43-7. The young Panthers side is looking forward to training this week and improve its game each week.