Silverlinks, Saints prove too good in latest round of Netball action

Saints claimed bragging rights in the second grand final rematch of the 2024 Premier League netball season, comprehensively defeating Highlanders 64-44 on Monday night.

Townsville City Netball Premier League player Brooke Lousi from Highlanders. Picture: Supplied.

Saints claimed bragging rights in the second grand final rematch of the 2024 Premier League netball season, comprehensively defeating Highlanders 64-44 on Monday night.

The reigning premiers were too good from the outset, using their clean passing and up-tempo play to wear down their opponents.

To Highlanders’ credit, they refused to roll over and kept within striking distance until the final 10 minutes with some great execution in the circle by GS Sophie Watson (39/48), who was particularly effective in the first half when she shot 21/23.

Saints GA Abbey Pearson had a night to remember as she drained 26 goals from all around the circle.

Her shooting partner Grace Parker – who shot an accurate 38/42 – was happy to defer to Pearson, especially from mid-range where she made some incredible shots.

Saints led by eight goals at quarter time and never looked back, extending their advantage at every break.

Marian Vixens player Amity Bugeja. Picture: Shaantel Hampson / TCNAI

Highlanders player-coach Brooke Lousi, who captained the side in 2023, made her first on-court Premier League appearance of the season and made an immediate impact with her controlled play and netball IQ.

This year’s captain Megan Tomarchio said the former Samoan international brought a brilliant presence to the Highlanders mid-court when she was on.

Highlanders bench official Barrie Emanuel said Lousi lifted the players around her.

“It’s exciting for our players to have, she’s an international player who has played in three World Cups and two Commonwealth Games, she’s a very skilled netballer but her leadership on and off the court has really galvanised the team a little bit tonight,” Emanuel said.

“The scoreboard probably didn’t reflect how well I thought we played, we showed plenty of courage.

“Obviously Saints and Burdekin are the benchmark, they’re doing very well this year. That was a very good opportunity for us to see where we need to improve in some of our areas, fill in some gaps and get a little bit more match fitness.”

MARIAN VIXENS SHOOTERS SHINE

Marian Vixens held on for a hard-fought 51-46 victory over Phoenix to cut their two-game losing streak short before it got out of hand.

The Phoenix mid-court was on fire but ultimately shooting at 72 per cent for the night meant they couldn’t keep up with the accuracy of Nic Fall and Amity Bugeja.

Marian Vixens’ shooting tandem played well off each other and reaped the rewards with Fall finishing 21/27 and Bugeja 30/35.

Marian Vixens coach Kym Patteson said both players added more than just their great shooting.

Burdekin Silverlinks GS Mackenzie Linton shoots for goal. Picture: Shaantel Hampson / TCNAI

“Amity just adds that tactical knowledge of the game, she is very good at dictating the play and she’s a very accurate shooter. She definitely value-adds to our team in that position,” Patteson said.

“Nic has been fantastic for our team in a mentoring role for the shooters. She has very tactical knowledge and is technical and dictates the play through the court, especially in that goal third.”

Kasey Musk came into Marian Vixens’ Premier League side for her first game of the season at GK, playing the full 60 minutes and winning a number of key turnovers.

“Kasey played for us in pre-season, she’s in our div 2 senior team but she stepped up tonight and had a phenomenal game,” Patteson said.

“She played back at keeper, she read the play really well and got some of those intercepts at crucial times which was excellent.”

SILVERLINKS ARE THE REAL DEAL

The First Nation Academy of Excellence (FNAE) Roos were no match for the Burdekin Silverlinks, who were at their devastating best during a 61-30 thumping.

The Roos began the game with confidence and it was neck-and-neck through the early stages but once the Silverlinks found their flow they were difficult to stop.

Burdekin played hard and fast, scoring 17 first-quarter points and extending their lead at every break.

Red-hot goal shooter Mackenzie Linton missed just one of her shots to finish 37/38 in another incredible showing.

Burdekin made things almost impossible for Roos GS Shakiah Stafford with a double-team defence late in the game as they tightened the screws.

RUNAWAYS MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW

Runaways outlasted Neptunes to claim 62-54 victory and extend their winning streak to three games.

Runaways’ fifth win of the season means they are now safe in third place, ahead of a four-team buildup of clubs with three wins.

Launch of the Carmichael Ford Premier League Netball Competition. L-R: Katie Alexander (Neptunes), Brooke Lousi (Captain, Highlanders), Amity Bujega (Marian Vixens), Amy Butterworth (Captain, Burdekin), Molli Johnson (Phoenix), Jenna Green (Saints), Mikaela Jackson (Vice Captain SCALA Indigenous Diamonds). ABSENT: Runaways

Neptunes GS Lasharna Oswin scored 50 goals with just eight misses – four of which came in the first quarter – to keep her team in the contest until the final buzzer.

But Runaways’ lethal mid-court proved too much to handle with Jess Freemand and Talise Heron starring in the high-scoring match.

Bianca Theodore was active in the circle scoring 37 goals and distributing well to GS Jorja James who finished 23/26.

Neptunes centre Hayley Killer had one of her best games of the season despite not getting the result.

TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN TEAM OF THE WEEK

GS: Mackenzie Linton (Burdekin) – 37 goals with only one miss to lead her team to another impressive win. At full strength and with Linton firing on all cylinders, Burdekin look like the real deal this year.

GA: Abbey Pearson (Saints) – Awesome night from Pearson who seemed to be making her shots no matter what angle or distance she was from the goal. She was the benefactor of some terrific play in all three thirds by her teammates.

WA: Rachel King (Saints) – Probably had the biggest impact on the game but every Saints player had a good game. King spent time at WA and C and was equally effective with her positioning and passing.

C: Hayley Killer (Neptunes) – One of Killer’s best games of the season as Neptunes fell just short of an upset win against Runaways. She was playing at double-speed on Monday, zipping around the court and making her passes count on the feed.

WD: Amie Taylor (Marian Mixens) – The Mixens co-captain was disruptive in defence and quick in transition, playing a great all-round game. Phoenix have a fantastic mid-court but Taylor stood up to the challenge.

GD: Shelby Norris (Burdekin) – Norris was a force to be reckoned with and she was excellent when working the ball up from defence. She played a big role in keeping the Roos to 30 goals.

GK: Kasey Musk (Marian Vixens) – You wouldn’t have guessed that it was Musk’s first Premier League game of the year. She was dynamite at the back, winning turnovers and claiming rebounds in a full 60-minute performance.

SUB: Lasharna Oswin (Neptunes)

SUB: Amity Bugeja (Marian Vixens)

SUB: Jess Freeman (Runaways)

SUB: Jenna Green (Saints)

SUB: Brooke Lawton (Highlanders)

Originally published as Silverlinks, Saints prove too good in latest round of Netball action