With one of the youngest sides put together in recent memory, Goulburn Valley League showcased why it’s the top Open netball outfit in the state on Saturday with a memorable three-goal triumph over Ovens and Murray League.
Led by captain and Seymour star defender Sarah Szczykulski, the GVL edged out its fierce rival for the second year running in a heart-stopping 39-36 contest at Albury Sports Ground.
Coach Di Hanslow described the youthful outfit as entering “a new era” in the build-up to the contest and the new kids on the block certainly delivered for their mentor.
Tatura’s Molly Kennedy was a standout in wing defence, while Kyabram’s Hollie Reid and Mooroopna’s Asha Gray were class through the midcourt.
Rochester young gun and state representative Teal Hocking was pivotal in goal attack and when not scoring goals she supplied experienced head Sheridan Townrow with precision passes.
Szczykulski, a mainstay in the GVL rep squad, was judged best-on by the umpires for her superb work in the defensive circle alongside Mooroopna’s Caitlin McLachlan.
“It was a great game by all the girls ... O&M always put up a great fight against us, last year was only a few goals and this year (was) the same,” Szczykulski said after the match.
“We gelled really quickly; we’re quite new and compared to the team we had last year, (there are) a lot of young girls coming through the Goulburn Valley which is great to see.”
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Fire it away: Tatura's Molly Kennedy. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 2 of 12
Turn and go: Rochester's Teal Hocking. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 3 of 12
Eyes up: Echuca's Sheridan Townrow. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 4 of 12
Looking for a teammate: Mooroopna's Asha Gray. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 5 of 12
Centre pass: Shepparton Swans' Sophie Garner. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 6 of 12
Give and go: Mooroopna's Caitlin McLachlan. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 7 of 12
On the lookout: Kyabram's Hollie Reid. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 8 of 12
Who wants it? Tatura's Jasmine Fraser. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 9 of 12
Quick pass: Rochester's Teal Hocking. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 10 of 12
In the zone: Kyabram's Hollie Reid. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 11 of 12
Lockdown role: Seymour's Sarah Szczykulski. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 12 of 12
Focused: Tatura's Molly Kennedy. Photo by Aydin PayneThe multiple premiership winning player highlighted the GV’s fast start to banking the win.
Szczykulski and McLachlan formed a potent defensive duo and along with Kennedy, helped nullify O&M to six goals in the first term to GV’s 12.
At the other end, Townrow shot brilliantly and finished with 28 goals for the match.
Ovens and Murray bridged the gap and made it a five-goal game at the half before changing up its personnel in the second half.
Despite the fightback from the host, Szczykulski and co were able to hold it at bay and run out three-goal winners.
“It was a great game overall and we were able to get out to a good lead early,” Szczykulski said.
“Me and Caitlin in the circle have never played together, to come together the way we did and with Molly out the front was so good and I know Di was super proud of that.
“But then the attacking end, to turn all that into goals scored, was really good as well.
“I thought I was in and out of the game, they rotated their goalers around and they were quite moving goalers which isn’t my forte.
“I think me and Caitlin just worked our feet, got in front and did the best we could.”
It was Szczykulski’s first crack at the GVL captaincy since her junior days, a role the VNL talent was honoured to take up.
“It was an absolute privilege ... I was really honoured when Di gave me the call-up and said I would be captain,” she said.
“The GV has a great calibre of players, so to be recognised as captain of the group is amazing.”