It may have looked an easy ninth straight win, but Shepparon East coach Erynn Hueston understands her side’s 33-24 win over Stanhope was anything but on Saturday.
Stanhope roared out of the blocks in the round nine encounter at Central Park Reserve and had the home side on the back foot, before the ladder leading Eagles collected their thoughts and flexed their muscles.
The defensive end, spearheaded by Sarah Maskell, Claire Doherty and Jess Beaton, was able to get on top of its direct opponents, while at the other end Kara Pattison and Maddison Newey showcased their strong combination in the goaling circle.
Despite trailing by one goal at the first break, East bounced back to outscore Stanhope 19-10 in the following two quarters as Hueston’s side chalked up a nine-goal victory to remain unbeaten this Kyabram District League A-grade season.
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On the move: Shepparton East's Sarah Maskell. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 2 of 7
Quick mover: Stanhope's Jemma Wright. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 3 of 7
Give and go: Shepparton East's Jessica Beaton. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 4 of 7
Let's go: Stanhope's Tanesha Nurse. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 5 of 7
Searching: Shepparton East's Rebecca Rendina. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 6 of 7
Who wants it? Stanhope's Rhylee Prescott. Photo by Aydin PayneImage 7 of 7
Looking for a teammate: Shepparton East's Kara Pattison. Photo by Aydin Payne“We’ll take the win, but it was a very physical match. It could have gone either way at half-time,” Hueston said post-match.
“We were slow to start and we had to play catch-up. Credit to Stanhope, they definitely brought their A-game today and made us work for that win.
“They came out firing in the first 10 minutes and it probably caught us off guard a little bit. To our girls’ credit they fought back and got back into the game.
“We can’t afford to have slow starts.
“Our main focus is starting well, which we’ve been able to do, but today we were a bit slow and now we just need to tidy that up.”
Hueston was full of praise for her side’s goaling duo and defensive trio after the match.
Newey has been a revelation this year in goal shooter for the Eagles, while Beaton, Maskell and co have formed a potent defence.
“They both shot very well today,” Hueston said of Newey and Pattison.
“They were on some quality defenders as well, it was quite a physical game in the circle and I thought they played well when we needed them.
“I thought our defenders played a great game today. Sarah, Claire, Jess, they all played really well.”
Rounding out the other matches, Violet Town held on to claim a 38-35 thriller over Lancaster, while Longwood picked up its maiden win of the year with a 34-32 triumph over Murchison-Toolamba.
Dookie United remains unbeaten following a 58-42 win, Girgarre brushed aside Rushworth (53-23) and Tallygaroopna flexed its muscles against Merrigum (54-34).
Nagambie and Undera went head-to-head on Sunday afternoon.