The Netball season kicked off the 2021 Rosebowl campaign with four exciting and high-intensity games. Our first game was only four weeks into Semester 1 so training started immediately. With 4 new freshers and 9 returning netballers, the team was looking very talented.
The team were up against Sancta first. We came out strong in the first quarter, only letting Sancta slip in one goal. By the third quarter, Lucy Last (fr 2019) and Netra Hankins (fr 2020) produced a great combination where they managed to shoot nearly 20 goals in the one quarter. Ainsley Woods (fr 2021) came out firing, with intercepting nearly every ball that came into the circle. Pamela Murphy (fr 2020) used her voice and knowledge to lead the team around the court. This strong combination down the court, and the rhythm we found in attack, along with the outstanding defensive pressure, resulted in the final score being 67-7.
Game 2 saw us come up against John’s. Both teams came out strong in the first quarter with it being even most of the quarter. However, with Zoe Jansen’s (fr 2021) and Alice Litchfield’s (fr 2018) strong feeds into the shooters and their awareness on the court, allowed for the ball to be easily transferred from one end of the court to the other, dominating in the attacking end. Shout out to Alice Litchfield for always smiling both on and off the court!
The final game against Wesley attracted the largest Drew’s crowd of the campaign. Both teams came out firing, with Andrew’s only up by a few points in the first quarter. Despite Wesley having a strong defensive end, we had a talented shooting combination with Abbey Lowe (fr 2021) and Netra Hankins (fr 2020) shooting accurately and swiftly moving in the circle, leaving the first half of the game up by 6. Zoe Haseler (fr 2019) led the defensive end with her voice, skills and knowledge, never letting the shooters become to comfortable. Georgie Cottle (fr 2019) also did not make it easy for the shooters, regularly intercepting the ball, leaving Wesley shocked and the Andrew’s crowd cheering. Georgie and Zoe placed exceptional pressure on Wesley’s attacking combination, forcing Wesley to throw away plenty of balls.
The fourth quarter was very tense, with the crowds screaming and Wesley only being 3 points behind us going into the fourth quarter. Annie Miller (fr 2019), captain of the team and Rosebowl Secretary, created space and used her outstanding speed to beat her Wesley opponents, time and time again. What an amazing effort from Annie playing a whole game of centre, always holding herself with such passion and commitment. Liv O’Donnell (fr 2020) well and truly gave it her all, with her aggression and high intensity being vital to our game. Liv’s pressure on the Wing Attack was outstanding, always looking for loose balls and helping bring the ball down from the defensive to attacking end. With 2 minutes to go, Andrew’s was up by 2 points. Trying to stay calm and focused, Georgie Cottle saved the game with her beautiful intercept on Wesley’s centre pass. Wesley scored in the last 10 seconds which left the score 31-32, Andrew’s way. An incredible game that left the whole crowd jumping out of their seats and losing their voices. But best of all, the girls are very grateful to be able to play what we love but also have some amazing competition.
The Drew’s Netball Team worked tremendously hard and committed to each other throughout the campaign. Winning 4 from 4 took effort, dedication and passion, all of which the girls embody. We kick-started what will be an impressive and exciting Rosebowl Campaign for 2021!
We look forward to sharing photos soon!
- Charlotte Haling, 2021 Rosebowl Netball Sec