Defence versus offence as Gisborne and Sandhurst play

ONE of BFNL netball’s fiercest rivalries, Gisborne and Sandhurst’s first meeting this season shapes as another classic offence versus defence battle.

This Saturday’s clash at Gardiner Reserve will pit the league’s number one defence, Gisborne, against the league’s second-highest scoring offence, Sandhurst.

A timely reminder of the capabilities and strength of both combatants was served last weekend.

The Bulldogs kept league newcomers Broadford to a season-low 13 goals in a 76-goal win at Harley Hammond Reserve on Saturday, while a day later at the QEO, Sandhurst piled on 68 goals in an impressive 37-goal triumph over an in-form Strathfieldsaye.

As they prepare to take on one of their long-time nemeses, Bulldogs coach Tarryn Rymer said her side was happy to get a hit-out under their belt last week, having played just three games in the last six weeks.

“I feel like it’s been a fair bit of stop-start for us with the byes and a split round,” the Bulldogs’ dual A-grade premiership coach said.

“We really wanted to gain some momentum coming into this week and another big game against Sandhurst.

“It will be interesting to see how we line up. There’s been a few changes across both squads since last time we played each other.”

The Dragons – runners-up behind Kangaroo Flat in 2025 – had the Bulldogs’ measure last season, winning all four contests between the teams, including by five goals and 11 goals at finals time.

Gisborne won the previous four encounters, including all three in 2024, with the streak starting in an epic 2023 grand final.

With the addition of dual Riddell District league best and fairest winner Tilly Shepherd this season, Gisborne’s defence has not missed a beat.

The Bulldogs have conceded a league-best 28 goals per match.

That average drops to 21.6 goals per game across their last three games, wins over Castlemaine, Eaglehawk and Broadford.

While their defence gets plenty of accolades, Rymer is excited about the development of her young shooting combination of two-time Bulldogs premiership player Torie Skrijel and teenager Charlee Duff-Tytler.

“Our defensive end is still winning lots of ball and is still looking to improve all the time, but in attack, connections are coming across the court,” she said.

 

“Charlee and Torie are building a nice partnership.

“I sometimes have to remind myself that Charlee’s 19 and Torie’s 21. They’re babies in that goal circle, but doing such a good job.

“Torie is really taking on some leadership in that goal circle and owning it.”

A fresh-look Sandhurst, with young guns Claire McGee and Harriet Whiteacre and Kelsey Ralph all gaining good court time, has confidently moved to 5-1 to be level on wins with Gisborne.

Both teams’ sole loss to date have been against undefeated Kangaroo Flat.

The Dragons’ 50-goal haul in the loss to the Roos stands as their lowest total for the season, 99 against Broadford being their highest.

Last week’s total of 68 was just above their season average of 67.5 goals per game.

In what promises to be one of the most intriguing rounds of netball for the season, the fixture includes South Bendigo versus Kangaroo Flat – with coaching siblings Lauren Bowles and Jayden Cowling going head-to-head – Castlemaine versus Broadford and Strathfieldsaye versus Golden Square.

At Camp Reserve, the Magpies and visiting Kangaroos will each be chasing their first win of the season.

The Storm and Bulldogs clash at Tannery Lane will continue the likely three-way rivalry for fifth spot.

Strathfieldsaye currently leads the battle at 3-3, ahead of Eaglehawk and Golden Square, both on two wins. The Hawks, who broke through for their second win against Castlemaine last Saturday, have a bye this week, but will return to action on 13 June against Broadford.

Meanwhile, the BFNL’s 17-and-under and 15-and-under representative teams have turned their sights to qualifying for this year’s Association Championships finals after solid performances at the annual Central Victorian Netball Association tournament in Bendigo last weekend.

The 17-and-unders, coached by Nicole Donnellon and Sharni McPherson, reached the final with a 6-1 round-robin record before coming up a goal short of Horsham District.

A 13-12 loss was a near carbon copy of their earlier meeting in the day, won 10-8 by Horsham District.

It was a similar tale for the 15-and-unders, coached by Steph Freemantle, who had to negotiate a heavier schedule of matches to reach the final.

The league’s youngest guns finished 8-1 before losing the final to Sunraysia 13-7.

Sunraysia inflicted the BFNL team’s only two losses for the day, winning their earlier match 11-10.

The Association Championships Northern Zone qualifiers will be staged in Echuca on 14 June, with the winner advancing to finals day in Melbourne on 21 June at the State Netball Centre.