LODDON Valley has capped its return to inter-league netball with an efficient 34-42 victory against Golden Rivers at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.
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The LVFNL was back competing following a two-year break and looked intent on making the most of its return to representative netball.
Coached by former Newbridge coach Carmen Shevlin, Loddon Valley was pushed every inch of the way by a determined Golden Rivers, which led at quarter time and for the bulk of the first half.
Only a late flurry of goals in the second quarter from goal attack Lucy Morcom, who was a clear-cut choice as best on court, enabled Loddon Valley to be on level terms at half time at 21-apiece.
Shevlin, who led the Maroons to a drought-breaking premiership in her last season as coach in 2016, swung plenty of changes after quarter time and with great effect.
Jessey Wilson, who started the game at wing attack, traded places with centre Amelia Ludemann at quarter time, team captain Meg Jennings switched from goal defence to goal keeper at half time, while Julia Twigg, Sharlene Hannig and Lauren Knight all rotated through defence.
Loddon Valley slowly but surely gained control of the contest in the third quarter and led 34-27 at three-quarter time.
Morcom (8) and Maddi Smedley (5), who replaced Olivia Treloar at goal shooter after half time, combined for 13 third quarter goals, to give their team plenty of momentum.
With Jennings continuing to rebound strongly from defence and Wilson showing plenty of poise and control in the midcourt, Loddon Valley outscored Golden Rivers 8-7 in the final stanza to claim an eight-goal win.
Shevlin praised her nine-players character to be able to withstand a spirited Golden Rivers’ challenge.
“We came in fairly confident, but (Golden Rivers) were a really strong outfit and we had to work for it,” she said.
“I think the changes we made at half time and bringing on the fresh legs is what really helped get us across the line.
“We knew we had the players on the bench, who could come on in the second half and have an impact, and that’s clearly what happened.
“The girls kept fighting and fighting, they didn’t give up at all and stuck with our game plan.
“We were a bit slow off the mark, but once we got going and got a bit of movement happening, we started to develop our game and just got better and better.”
There was no argument from the coach with the choice of Morcom as best on court for Loddon Valley.
The versatile goaler, who has joined Mitiamo this season after playing with Golden Square in the Bendigo Football Netball League, contributed 26 of Loddon Valley’s 42 goals and was particularly accurate in the first half.
“If I was still coaching Saturdays, I would love her to be on my team,” Shevlin said.
“She’s playing up at Mitiamo and they are doing very well with her.
“She’s so tall and athletic and can jump; she got her eye in today and was spot-on.”
There was also generous praise for Jennings, who was also part of the Maroons’ grand final success in 2016, and last season’s joint league medallist, and Bridgewater recruit Wilson.
“You know you can ask Meg to dig deep and she gives everything she has got,” Shevlin said.
“Even when she’s dying and falling apart, she will still get up and give everything.
“(Jessey Wilson) was also very good. She never gave up, gave her all and kept her head high.”
In a bonus for their LVFNL clubs, there were no injuries reported from the game.
For Golden Rivers, former Kyneton goal keeper Laura Bennie was named best on court, while Renee Isma shot 25 of her team’s 34 goals.
Shevlin hoped Saturday’s clash could be the start of more regular inter-league appearances for the Loddon Valley