Burra roll continues; Lakers draw with Swans

SEBASTOPOL coach Kiya Eberle believes her side will learn plenty about itself after an intriguing round four contest against Lake Wendouree this Saturday.

The Burra will venture to C.E. Brown Reserve with plenty of momentum following a 21-goal win on their home court over Redan on Anzac Day, giving them a perfect 3-0 start to the season.

Lake Wendouree will be coming off a draw against an evolving Ballarat at Alfredton.

Eberle was rapt to keep the ball rolling against the Lions following impressive wins over East Point and Ballarat to start the season.

“We had no idea what to expect going into the match; they have a lot of experience in their defensive circle and they again showed that to us (on Saturday),” she said about the Lions, who finished the 2025 home and away season in third place on the ladder.

“But it was a great chance for us to build on the momentum. We’ve got that focus of improving each week.

“We changed up our starting seven, which gave us a chance to look at some different combinations.

“It was a really good test for us and we prepared hard for it during the week. It was good to see us put that out on court, and also to make some mistakes but fix them too.

“They were tough.”

The Burra laid the foundations with a sturdy 12-6 opening quarter, before extending their lead at half-time with an 11-6 second term.

A testament to their full-court defensive pressure, the Burra were able to restrict Redan to just 17 goals in the first three quarters, before the Lions found a semblance of freedom in the last to add 11, albeit still being outscored by two.

In a full-team effort, the Burra got outstanding contributions from silky wing attack Hannah Atkinson, defenders Alice Kain and Taylor Finch, and the goaling combination of Adut Manyiel (21 goals) and Laura Bell (22).

It was a welcome return from Finch, who missed the previous week’s win over the Swans.

The loss was the Lions’ third in a row to start the season, ahead of a clash against Ballarat.

Eberle welcomed another big test for the Burra against the Lakers.

“We’ve had a really great run to start the season, but this shapes as another evenly-matched game,” she said.

“We’re excited to have a look at Lakers, they have a really young side, with accurate shooters and strong midcourters.

“It should be a really good challenge for us.

“But at the moment we are staying really focused on ourselves and keeping calm and focusing on the improvement.”

A surprise to some, Ballarat’s draw with Lake Wendouree was no shock at all to Lakers coach Meg Porter, whose side struggled to break free from the Swans all day.

“I knew they were going to be tough with the players they have,” she said.

“They have three VNL players including Xara and Eliza Burge) and had Dakota Blade back in their side,” Porter added in reference to the Swans goal shooter, who missed the previous week’s loss to Sebastopol.

“We watched her in one VNL game and she shot 41 goals and missed one for Hawks in the 23-and-under VNL.

 

“She was awesome … very dominant.

“Our girls did as much as they could, but she is a class player.”

Blade finished the day with 30 goals to lead shooters on both sides, giving the Swans the strong presence under the post they would have appreciated against the Burra in round two.

While the Lakers led at various points of the game by four goals, which was the margin at half-time, the resilient Swans always found a way to reduce the margin to one or two goals before tying the scores at 42-42 at game’s end.

The margin was just two goals the Lakers’ way at three quarter time.

“While we had that four-goal buffer at times, it never felt like we were in control,” Porter said.

“I was still on edge.

“It was an awesome game and I couldn’t have been prouder of the girls, I thought they never gave up.”

Young defender Audrey Domaille, wing defence Demi Thompson (recently promoted from B-grade) and young shooters Ebony Porter and Addi Funcke led the way for the Lakers, who hold down fourth spot at 2-0-1.

Coach Porter is anticipating another tough shootout against an in-form Sebastopol this Saturday.

“It’s going to be tough – they have some wonderful players,” she said.

“No doubt about it, we are going to have to bring our A-game.

“They have done well. We are seeing a very even and tough competition developing and it’s great to see.”

Barring a draw, either Ballarat or Redan will get their first win of the season, when the teams clash at Sebastopol.

Elsewhere, Darley retained top spot with a convincing 37-goal victory over crosstown rival Bacchus Marsh.

The Devils, led by gun goal shooter Olivia Cawthray (45 goals), and with their star defensive duo of Matilda Elliot and Anna Lawley at their stifling best and Jaimee Smith prominent, proved too strong for the Cobras in a 64-27 triumph.

Sunbury, powered by a 63-goal performance from shooter Amalani Fauonuku, defeated Melton 100-27.

Fauonuku was well supported in the goal circle by fellow recruit Charlize Bellette (37 goals).

On Sunday, North Ballarat joined Darley and Sebastopol at 3-0 with a 20-goal win over East Point at Mars Stadium.The Roosters warmed up for a home showdown against Sunbury this Saturday with a 63-43 win, with Ella Hutchinson and Amy Wirth making their A-grade debuts.

North Ballarat and Sunbury last clashed in last year’s semi-finals, with the Lions emerging victorious 59-55.

Round four (Saturday, May 2): Melton v Darley; Lakee Wendouree v Sebastopol; North Ballarat v Sunbury; Redan v Ballarat; East Point and Bacchus Marsh played on Good Friday.