Girgarre still has hope of a top-two finish after narrowly escaping Rushworth with a win, while Lancaster suffered a tight loss to finals contender Avenel in round 17.

Girgarre v Rushworth

Two of the Kyabram District League’s A-grade top four battled at Rushworth Recreation Reserve in a game steeped in finals implications, especially for the Kangaroos.

The Tigers came away with the win in the two sides’ previous meeting by a single goal, and the contest was similarly tight this time around.

Leading by nine goals at the first break, Girgarre looked strong early before Rushworth mounted a strong fight back to bring the teams level through the next two quarters.

Either side could have claimed the four points, but it was Girgarre which was slightly more clinical down the stretch, claiming the win 39-37.

The result gives the Roos a chance of keeping second place headed into the finals.

Kim Hanratty and Chloe Byrne were named best-on-court for their work in attack and defence, respectively.

As it has the bye in the final round, Girgarre will put its faith in Avenel to defeat Nagambie and prevent the Lakers from surging into the top two at the Roos’ expense.

Girgarre coach Holly Nelson reflected on the see-sawing contest, and while she was disappointed that her side gave up a strong early lead, was happy to get the scalp.

“We had a strong start and had heaps of momentum going into the first break, and then coming out into the second quarter Rushy fought back,” she said.

“We ended up even for the next two quarters, so it was a tight contest, the defenders were amazing to provide us plenty of opportunity.

“It was a good contest and was anyone’s game right up until the end, it was a little bit disappointing that we gave away a nine-goal lead, we could’ve utilised that a bit more.

“Our goal shooter Jacqui Gahan came off with an injury and missed half the game before returning in the final quarter to give us a boost and get us over the line.

“It was important that we got the win to support us in our finals position, but also it sets us up for success and momentum moving forward.”

Nelson also voiced her excitement for the finals without her or her team getting ahead of themselves.

“Finals is always an exciting time of the season, we just have to take it week by week and we are looking forward to what’s to come,” she said.

“A week off this week will be good for us to rest up and prepare for finals, we are ready for the challenge ahead of us.”

Rushworth, in contrast, has plenty of breathing room on both sides and is now guaranteed to finish the season in fourth, regardless of the outcome of its trip to Undera in the final round.

Avenel vs Lancaster

Playing a team six places ahead of it on the ladder, Lancaster put in a solid showing against Avenel.

The Swans came out firing, creating a nine-goal buffer at the first break, the Wombats fought back through the middle quarters, but were unable to shave off the prior deficit.

Lancaster outscored Avenel in the final frame but couldn’t crack into the lead established in the first quarter with the higher ranked coming out on top 58-50 at Avenel Recreation Reserve.

Lancaster coach Elly Westerveld was impressed with the way her side played outside of the first quarter, showing her team’s grit and determination.

“We actually played really well; the last time we played Avenel we lost by 17,” she said.

“So, to only lose by eight against them was a great improvement, we’ve still got a few injuries, so we are scrapping through until the end of the season.

“We were down by a few in the first quarter and then the second and third quarters were even, and we won the last, so it was only the first quarter that blew out and that was the difference in the end.

“Lexi Thomas got best on in goal shooter, our attack end played well this week, her and Emma Roberts combined strongly.”

With the Wombats outside of finals contention, Westerveld looked back on a season mired by injury, but has hope for a brighter 2026.

“We’ve had a few ins and outs in the year with injuries, all in all the girls have kept trying and haven’t dropped their heads throughout the season, so that is a testament to them,” she said.

“We’ve got a younger side so they are still learning, but we’ve got a great bunch of girls so hopefully they stick together.”

Lancaster will look to end its season on a high when it hosts Stanhope in round 18.

Avenel has no hope of moving higher than fifth, but can prevent itself from falling to sixth with a win over third-ranked Nagambie.

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Friday, 26th May 2023

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