Bulldogs not worried by loss

GISBORNE’s dual premiership coach Tarryn Rymer has shrugged off another loss to a top two opponent following the Bulldogs’ five goal defeat to Sandhurst last Saturday.

The Bulldogs, who will enter this weekend’s clash against Golden Square in third place on the ladder at 6-5, half-a-win ahead of fourth-placed South Bendigo, have not beaten either unbeaten Kangaroo Flat or Sandhurst (9-2) this season in two attempts apiece.

Put in context – and as has been the same for most teams – they have never had their full side on court on any given week.

Star goal attack Claudia Mawson has only just returned to the court following a shoulder injury that sidelined her for the bulk of the first round and also Vixens Academy commitments, while defensive gun Zoe Davies has missed a lot of netball due to Mavericks reserves and Bendigo Strikers duties.

Added to that, midcourter Emerson Lakey spent several weeks overseas, while others in the squad have missed games here and there.

That has left quality defenders Kirby Elliott and Charlee Kemp and goaler Torie Skrijel to bear much of the load, with 2024 premiership players and dual league best and fairests Maddy Stewart and

Tiana Newman no longer part of the line-up.

Despite only one or two goals separating the Bulldogs and Dragons throughout the first three quarters, before Sandhurst converted its two-goal three-quarter time margin into five goals by game’s end, Rymer was pleased with her side’s effort.

Particularly without Davies for the full game and Kemp during the last quarter with an injury after slipping on the wet surface, replaced by Polly Salter, from A-reserve.

“I thought we battled well, but didn’t quite capitalise on those moments when we could have put a bit more scoreboard pressure on,” Rymer said.

“We made a few silly little turnovers, but we certainly didn’t walk away thinking it was a bad game.

“Given the conditions, it’s hard what to think as you know the next time we play them it will be different conditions.

“It’s not much of a gauge.

“While we didn’t have Zoe, Kirby and Charlee did a good job and won enough ball, which is a positive.”

A Strikers teammate of Davies, Ruby Turner played only a half for Sandhurst, which efficiently notched up its ninth win of the season.

An encouraging sign for the Dragons was the performance of four-time premiership midcourter Meg Williams in her second game back following an overseas break.

The Bulldogs and Dragons will get one more crack at one another ahead of finals, drawn to play in round 18 as one of two clubs each team has to play three times this season.

Gisborne will be one of only two A-grade teams to see action this weekend due to a split round.

Rymer is anticipating a hard-fought contest against Golden Square, which showed positive signs in their earlier season clash, and finished within nine goals of South Bendigo last week.

Kangaroo Flat and South Bendigo will clash the following week, as do Sandhurst and Eaglehawk.

Strathfieldsaye has the bye.

Round 13: Strathfieldsaye 27 lost to Kangaroo Flat 68; South Bendigo 55 defeated Golden Square 46; Gisborne 39 lost to Sandhurst 44 Eaglehawk bye.

Round 14 (August 2): Golden Square v Gisborne (August 2); Strathfieldsaye bye. August 9: Kangaroo Flat v South Bendigo; Sandhurst v Eaglehawk.