It’s been a solid campaign for Katunga on the Picola District Netball League courts, but the accomplishments of a C-grader last week have to take the cake.
The A-grade squad sits fifth with three rounds remaining, boasting a successful 10-3 record after four wins in its past five outings, while the B-graders are third and also appear poised for finals netball.
In the C-grade competition, though, spectators witnessed a foray into uncharted waters as the Swans took Yarroweyah to task in an astonishing 60-minute display — particularly from goaler Jess Legge.
The unbeaten Katunga side was always expected to win heavily, of course, but how often do you see a team put 128 goals — that’s better than two goals a minute, mind you — on the board?
More to the point, when do you see one individual come two goals shy of posting a single-handed century?
That’s what Legge set about doing in her side’s total destruction of the bottom-placed Hoppers.
Not that she was keeping count as the game ticked along, though.
“I was a little surprised with it at the end,” Legge said.
“I was told I had 33 after the first quarter and it just sort of went with the flow from there.
“At the end of the game I assumed I might be pretty close (to 100 goals) and I think at one point there might have been three or four in a minute.
“I reckon I would have had about 105 shots in the game; my coach told me I got nine rebounds off the other goaler, whereas usually I’m only down at about three or four.”
Obviously, after a day like that in C-grade, surely it’s only natural to suspect there’ll be a call-up to a higher division as fellow contender Katandra awaits on Saturday?
According to Legge, it’s not terribly likely, with selectors preferring not to rock the boat with dramatic changes as the top three Swans netball sides prepare for likely finals tilts during August.
“At the moment, being so close to finals, we’re pretty solid in the teams we’re at,” Legge said.
“I’d hope so (to be called up), but because I’ve been in C-grade all this year, perhaps not. If we were at the start of the season, it might be different.
“WIth that said, it’s great to see Yarroweyah come out every week and give it their all. They never gave up against us despite the scoreline.
“To get beaten by such a margin and still run it out for four quarters deserves credit; they were very determined and a pleasure to play against.”
Regardless of where she might end up in terms of playing level across the remainder of season 2024, Legge is thankful to the Katunga club as a whole for reinvigorating her desire to play following a period of burnout.
“I played at Picola United for my whole juniors and a couple of years in seniors, but I just needed something new and different,” Legge said.
“I needed to find a family club and feel welcome again, so I made the decision to transfer here as I already had family at Katunga.
“They’ve wrapped their arms around me and made me feel welcome in a great team with great mentors and a little bit of youth; it’s a really good dynamic this year
“Last year, we made the prelim in C-grade, so I’ve had a fairly consistent winning run here. It’s my second year at Katunga and I think it’s sparked my interest a bit more.
“It’s been nice to find love for the game again; bringing up some of the 17-and-under girls and being able to help them out has helped out my game as well, so I’ve really enjoyed that part.
“I think this is definitely the top of my game and we’re excited to see how we go in finals.”