Sport
11 September, 2023
Redbacks surge into decider by ending Natte Bealiba’s premiership reign
Carisbrook are just one game away from netball immortality, having recorded a strong 12-goal victory over Natte Bealiba in the preliminary final. It means that the Swans’ defence of their 2022 premiership comes to an end. In the early stages of...
Carisbrook are just one game away from netball immortality, having recorded a strong 12-goal victory over Natte Bealiba in the preliminary final.
It means that the Swans’ defence of their 2022 premiership comes to an end.
In the early stages of the game, it was an exciting, free-flowing affair, with both teams generating plenty of opportunities.
At one end, Andrea Schafer and Paige McLean were able to put pressure on Natte’s defenders by scoring five goals apiece, while Emma Ryan was doing a power of work at the other end, scoring all 10 goals, with scores level at the first change.
The second term continued to be a reasonably high-scoring affair, a direct contrast to their previous meeting, with goals hard to come by. Instead, in this one, both teams were making the most of their opportunities. McLean scored eight goals for Carisbrook, while Schafer added five, and add to the other end, Ryan added 11 as Carisbrook led by two goals at the main break.
However, it was the third quarter where Carisbrook began to make their move, as the midcourt, led spectacularly by Laura Hurse, started to dictate terms, with Krystal Wright, fresh into the game, also delivering good balls to Schafer and McLean. The Redbacks scored 12 goals to nine to take a five-goal lead in the last.
Carisbrook continued to take control in the last quarter, with Schafer and McLean scoring six goals apiece, while Natte finished their season with five goals in the last quarter.
It means the Redbacks powered into their decider with Avoca by being able to quell the best scoring team in the competition to under 36 goals for a third consecutive meeting, with coach Emma Rumpff ecstatic for the team’s ability to defend.
“Defensively, our girls trust each other and they have each other’s back. We have worked hard on our defensive structure all season and it has paid off. It’s more than just the defensive third, it’s a whole-team defence,” she said.
“There’s a lot of heart and a lot of experience which shows on the court, and we enjoy our netball when we are out there.”
Rumpff was satisfied with the way the team played, saying it might just be their time for the first time in 24 years.
“I’m excited. We deserve to be there after that performance. It’s been 24 years since we’ve come away with a win in a grand final, and I feel we are a chance to finally break that drought next week,” she said.
“Once the girls started to dictate the game in the third quarter, I felt that we were going to be a winner.”
Rumpff was complimentary on the performance of Hurse, who was key to Carisbrook clearing away throughout the second half, while also praising Sherriden Byrne, who enjoyed a great battle with Ryan.
“Laura is very graceful, and brings so much wealth and experience in the game. Everyone looks up to her, and games like this preliminary final is exactly why. Sherriden Byrne was another who was amazing out there,” she said.
Rumpff says there will be no changes to the team for next week.
“No injuries from the weekend, and therefore, we expect no changes on Saturday,” she said.
