Sport
3 June, 2025
Natte power home despite Creek’s best efforts
Natte Bealiba survived a fantastic first quarter display from Campbells Creek to win the battle of the birds by 57 goals.
The Swans and Magpies entered this game relatively unchanged from their games against Lexton and Trentham respectively, with Natte the clear favourites.
However, Campbells Creek showcased they were more than just pushovers, capitalising on some uncharacteristic mistakes from the hosts with some great midcourt play from Taylah Sartori, Ella Cochrane and Eillish Cumming to take an early lead.
After the Magpies connected with their preliminary punches, the Swans recovered quickly, dictating the tempo late in the term to take an eight goal advantage into quarter time.
Some accurate shooting from Emma Ryan allowed the Swans to assume control, as she finished with 21 goals for the term while shooting partner Shannae Mills added one.
While the whole team impressed in the first term, Jemma Finning was one of the Magpies’ standouts, going seven for seven from the field to go along with her teammate Elouise Jones also scoring seven.
Determined to stamp their authority on the contest, the Swans brought their game to the next level in the second quarter, scoring 26 goals to balloon the margin out to 27.
After Lizzy Clarke played well defending Ryan in the first quarter, Ryan started to get the upper hand in the matchup, netting 24 goals. Mills contributed by sinking both of her attempts in the second term.
Natte defenders Bella Westbrook and Ellie Martin managed to contain Finning and Jones more effectively in the second term, with Finning scoring four and Jones adding three.
Hoping to stem the bleeding, the Magpies moved the adaptable Sartori into defence alongside Clarke.
While the new pairing reduced the Swans’ scoring rate, the hosts still extended their lead to 41 at three quarter time.
Ryan continued her fantastic shooting day, scoring 19 goals from 21 attempts in the third term with Mills adding three.
The duo of Jones and Finning remained a threat for the Magpies, with Jones netting six and Finning converting two.
Ryan’s 21 goals from 22 attempts in the final term sealed the deal for the Swans, as Ryan finished with a season-high 85 goals at an astounding shooting percentage of 92.
While her main priority was assisting Ryan, Mills also showed shooting prowess, converting all three of her fourth-quarter shots.
Finning finished with a flourish for the Magpies, making seven shots in the final 15 minutes while Jones added one.