FNAE Roos claim historic victory over Runaways in round 2 of Townsville’s Premier League netball
The Roos continued their undefeated start to Townsville’s Premier League netball season in an edge-of-your seat thriller on Monday night. Catch up on all four games and see who made the team of the week in round 2.
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The First Nations Academy of Excellence (FNAE) Roos continued their undefeated start to Townsville’s Premier League netball season with a thrilling 33-32 triumph over 2024 premiers Runaways on Monday night.
In a match played with finals intensity, the Roos were able to hold on by a whisker during an edge-of-your seat finish which saw neither team score a goal in the final two minutes.
After trailing for most of the match, the Roos were able to build a four-goal buffer in the final quarter thanks to incredible defence from GK Sonnyanne Raggett and GD Savanna Beale.
The dynamic duo at the back were at their best, disrupting the Runaways attack and claiming a number of great rebounds.
Roos coach Sharon Finnan-White credited a five-month pre-season for her team’s ability to stay in the contest, and said confidence was high among the group.
“The girls came in with confidence from their first win last week, but I still wanted them to stay composed and not get to ahead of ourselves just because we won the first game,” Finnan-White said.
“We knew it would be a physical game against Runaways, it always is.
“I’m a bit lost for words to be honest, because this is the first time we’ve actually won two games in a row in this competition.”
While Runaways started the game strong and were able to build leads, the Roos managed to finish each quarter with three or four consecutive goals to keep in touch.
Tiarna Kerehoma was outstanding at GD for Runaways while the mid-court was as strong as always.
Roos GS Ruby Mack came on during the second quarter and swung momentum back in her team’s favour, finishing the game with 18/24 goals.
“I think we’ve got such a versatile group this year, as you probably saw in our rotations – we were able to bring people into different positions and just put on what was working,” Finnan-White said.
“To bring Ruby (Mack) on as well, she didn’t get much court time last week and I think she made the difference when we brought her on, she was really strong.”
HIGHLANDERS v SAINTS
Saints were far too strong for a new-look Highlanders outfit, dominating from the opening quarter to claim an emphatic 79-30 victory.
The well-drilled Saints side entered the season basically unchanged and looked fresh from their round 1 bye, but the addition of former England under-21s player Claudia Heath takes the already strong side to another level.
Heath was gigantic for her team, playing almost the entire game at GD while constantly winning turnovers.
Shooting recruit and North Queensland United player Tiarni Fennell was also solid up front at GA, scoring 23/28.
To Highlanders’ credit they refused to slow down or withdraw into their shell, maintaining a high pace with an attack led by captain and centre Lakeisha Griese.
Saints led 22-9 at quarter time and didn’t look back, extending their advantage at every break.
BURDEKIN v MIXENS
A dangerous Marian Vixens side secured a statement 50-42 win over the Burdekin Silverlinks, maintaining a healthy lead for the entire contest to remain undefeated through two games.
The Silverlinks looked good when their attack flowed, but that didn’t happen enough as Mixens’ turnover machines Charlie Duke and Emily Prescott stood tall.
The athletic pair were everywhere in defence, making life difficult for a Silverlinks attack spearheaded by tall shooter Mackenzie Linton.
Linton was kept quiet by her standards, though the elite goal shooter still managed to finish with a handy 38/44 as her team was defeated.
With their fantastic recruiting, Mixens are looking like real premiership threats in 2025.
NEPTUNES v PHOENIX
Neptunes claimed victory in a low-scoring affair with Phoenix, running away in the final quarter thanks to 10/11 Lynette Howlett goals to win 44-30.
Phoenix were able to stay in the contest for most of the match but didn’t have the killer instinct to take the lead at any stage.
Neptunes will rue 69 per cent shooting on the night but it was enough to get the job done against a determined young Phoenix team that refused to go away.
Phoenix centre Alex Wood played well with some good pass selection while Georgia Bulley was outstanding for the winners at GD and GA, where she shot 9/15.
TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN TEAM OF THE WEEK
GS: Ruby Mack (FNAE) – Mack came on and turned the game in her side’s favour with some great positioning and reliable shooting. Worked well with all her teammates and made shots under pressure to give the Roos a perfect start to 2025.
GA: Carly Perso (Mixens) – Perso was lethal in the circle, using her height to her advantage to score 34/53. The numbers might not look great, but the tall shooter was able to claim most of the rebounds she missed to keep her team from turning over possession.
WA: Keely Warcon (Runaways) – Wherever she plays, the Runaways utility excels and Monday night was no different. Played a big role in her team’s attack and was a pest in defence.
C: Shannon Perry (Mixens) – Perry played big minutes and was the perfect conduit between her team’s attack and defence. The wily centre facilitated some fantastic attacking moments with her great netball IQ.
WD: Emily Prescott (Mixens) – Prescott is one of the best ball-winners in the league and her level-headed play was key to Mixens’ big win over the Silverlinks.
GD: Claudia Heath (Saints) – The tall defender was unstoppable at the back and she played a big part in keeping Highlanders to just 30 goals. Opposition teams will have to work out their best plans to play around the disruptive GD.
GK: Sonnyanne Raggett (FNAE) – Raggett and her defensive partner Savanna Beale were simply outstanding for the Roos. Whether Raggett was taking intercepts or claiming rebounds, she was as reliable as it gets.
SUB: Tiarna Kerehoma (Runaways)
SUB: Savanna Beale (FNAE)
SUB: Georgia Bulley (Neptunes)
SUB: Martina Monday (Burdekin)
SUB: Charlie Duke (Mixens)
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Originally published as FNAE Roos claim historic victory over Runaways in round 2 of Townsville’s Premier League netball
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