Sport
29 July, 2025
Avoca repeat prelim final win over Talbot
Avoca is now only two wins away from completing their third undefeated regular season in four years after disposing of finals contender Talbot by 16 goals.
The victory was made extra special with club legend Lucy Howell celebrating her 450th game for the club.
Neither team made a change to their sides after their victories over the Giants and Maldon in round 14, with this clash expected to be the game of the round.
It didn’t disappoint early, as a tense finals feel began to brew at Avoca Recreation Reserve following a hard-fought first quarter.
Talbot prioritised defence to start the contest, as showcased in starting all three of their key defenders Jess White, Melissa Scott and Jane Costello in the first quarter.
The decision seemed to work, as the trio held Avoca shooters Maddy Egan and Gina Beavis to 12 goals in the opening term.
However, the Bulldogs’ dynamic defensive duo of Keisha Tonzing and Caitlin Drummond were even better, limiting Elenoa Costello and Eleisha Phelps to nine goals to give the hosts a three-goal lead at quarter time.
Avoca had more luck breaking down Talbot’s stacked defence in the second quarter, with Faith McKenzie and Stacey Blair showcasing great patience and off-ball movement to get Egan and Beavis more involved in the match.
The duo showed ruthless clinicalness throughout the quarter, combining to score 17 goals from just 18 shots, creating a sizeable 10-goal gap between the two teams at half time.
Elenoa Costello and Phelps were also very efficient in the second period, converting 10 of their combined 13 shots.
With a noticeable deficit heading into the second half, the visitors were forced into a more attacking approach, with Scott moving back into goal defence for Jane Costello, allowing the more attacking Tina Wardlaw and Abbey Klemm to rotate at wing defence.
The change helped increase Talbot’s offensive output in the third quarter, assisted by Costello and Phelps not missing a shot in the period, but even that couldn’t close the gap on Avoca, who extended their advantage to 14 goals at three-quarter time.
That was due to Egan and Beavis maintaining their shooting master-class from the first half, with Egan scoring 12 and Beavis adding five with one miss apiece.
Elenoa Costello added 12 to the Hawks’ total in the third period, assisted by the passing of Phelps, who netted one.
With their last roll of the dice, Talbot decided to pair the Costellos, Jane and Elenoa, in defence to try and stop Beavis and Egan, leading to Shianne Milera moving into the goal circle alongside Phelps.
While the Hawks were at their most competitive in the last quarter, they couldn’t make a dent in the Bulldogs’ margin, with the hosts finishing as 62-46 victors.
Even with the constant drizzle, both teams were on fire shooting the netball in the final quarter, combining for only one miss.
Egan continued her tremendous shooting form with a game-high 47 goals at a remarkable 92 percent conversion rate. Her teammate Beavis finished with 15 goals from her 18 shots in the match.
Not to be outdone, Talbot only missed six shots all game, with Elenoa Costello leading the way with 26 goals, matching Egan’s shooting percentage of 92 percent.
Phelps was close by with 18 goals after netting 12 in the final term, while Milera scored both of her shots.