Sport
13 May, 2025
Natte hold fast to outlast Giants’ onslaught
In one of the most anticipated matches of the season so far, Natte Bealiba continued their undefeated record against the Maryborough Giants with an 11-goal win.
In the short history between the Swans and Giants on the netball court, these two sides have produced some magical netball, and Saturday was no exception.
The two teams were cautiously efficient in the first 15 minutes, with the opening quarter a feeling out process for the rest of the match.
The Giants held the narrowest of margins 14-13 hearing into the break after their sharpshooter Lacey Broad carried her momentum from her astounding under 17’s performance against Avoca with 13 first quarter goals.
Annalyse Carroll was happy to defer to the hot hand of Broad in the first quarter while adding a goal herself.
Natte Bealiba’s Shannae Mills played a similar role for teammate Emma Ryan, scoring one goal while Ryan shook off some early cobwebs to make 12 shots from 19 attempts.
After a controlled first period, the second quarter was an exhibition of offensive netball, as both teams seemed unstoppable from their centre pass.
A mammoth 36 goals were scored in the term, which equates to a goal every 25 seconds, and by the end of it, the Giants still held the lead by three goals.
Broad and Ryan continued to carry the scoring load for their teams, netting 18 and 14 goals respectively, while Mills scored three for the Swans and Carroll added one for the Giants.
The half time break didn’t slow down either team, as the frantic second quarter tempo continued to start the third term.
However, the Swans constructed some consecutive stops midway through the third to flip the game into their advantage, entering the final quarter with a 50-45 lead.
While the Swans midcourt and defensive duo pressured the Giants into making a mistake, Natte Bealiba remained patient in their build up, ensuring almost every move resulted in a shot on goal.
That patience resulted in Ryan scoring 19 goals from 22 attempts while Mills netted one.
Broad tried to make the most of the chances given to her, scoring 11 in the third while Carroll scored one goal.
The Giants gave it their all to claw back their lead, but consistent interceptions and focused buildup from the Swans midcourt allowed Natte Bealiba to slowly ebb away to an 11-goal win.
Ryan made the most of passes from Mills, Ella Tranter and former Giant Ebony Raven, scoring all 20 of the Swans’ goals to hold off the Giants and finish with 65 for the game.
Broad made 13 of 15 shots in the last term to finish with 55 goals, while Carroll scored one.