MARYBOROUGH has celebrated star midcourter Alicia Cassidy’s BFNL milestone with a win over South Bendigo at Princes Park.
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Cassidy’s 350th BFNL match ended in a 56-46 victory for the Magpies and capped a memorable day for the six-time club best and fairest and 2005 Betty Thompson Medal winner.
The win was highlighted by some promising performances by some of the players from last season’s Magpies 17-and-under grand final team.
They were further aided by the return of Eliza Roughead, who has prioritised football over netball this season.
Cassidy, who joined former long-time teammate Alisha Chadwick as the only two netballers to have played 350 BFNL games, said she was thrilled to emerge with a win, which was the Magpies’ first this season.
“It was a tight tussle all day really and we pulled away in the last quarter,” she said.
Cassidy spent the second quarter off the court, but returned at wing attack in the second half to help steady her side.
The decorated Magpie admitted to being pretty emotional in the lead-up to the clash.
“I had a few phone calls during the week from old friends from Pyramid Hill, I felt pretty special,” she said.
“There were a few tears, but it was great to celebrate it with a win.
“If we could keep that team together every week we’d be right in the mix, but Eliza Roughead was back for just the one game and she certainly bolstered our defence.
“And Maggie Tranter and Tori Chandler aren’t available every week, but when they are it’s fantastic.”
The Magpies clash with Kangaroo Flat at Dower Park next week.
The Roos will be looking to rebound after a narrow three-goal loss to reigning premiers Sandhurst.
In a match that was close throughout, he Dragons won 47-44 after scores were level at three quarter time.
Sandhurst led by one goal at quarter time and two goals at half time.
Bec Smith finished with 24 goals for Sandhurst, with Kelsey Meade adding 23, including nine in a bright opening quarter.
For Kangaroo Flat, Adrienne Murphy scored 33 goals.
A week after making her A-grade debut, Ruby Turner played in two quarters for the Dragons, replacing Emma Tindill at wing defence.
Sandhurst is the first team to reach three-straight wins.
Eaglehawk is a perfect two-wins from two-games following a convincing win against Gisborne.
The Hawks, who were coming off a bye, won 53-38 in a match between two teams expected to challenge for a top three position.
