Football
Seniors
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Benalla went into the game with just 17 players, which made it a tough challenge against a full-strength Bright team. Despite the heavy loss, the players showed great effort and resilience.
In defence, Campbell Drury was the standout for Benalla. His solid marking and leadership in the backline helped limit Bright’s score in what was an otherwise challenging match.
Kieran Linke worked hard through the midfield, linking up play and dropping back to help in defence, showcasing his versatility. Sam Cox also played a key role in the midfield, using his pace and run to create opportunities going forward.
While the team couldn’t stop Bright’s dominance, the individual performances of Drury, Linke, and Cox were positives on a tough day.
Final score: Bright 27.17 (179) def Benalla 2.4 (16)
Awards: Campbell Drury - Tyrepower, Kieran Linke - Stella Stella, Sam Cox - Benalla Race Course
Reserves
We went into this week with the uncertainty of getting a side up to travel to Bright. With some help from Bright, lending us some players so the game could go ahead, we managed to play.
It was a really good contest all day with Blake Marlborough seeing plenty of the ball through the middle kicking two goals.
Chris Adamo was set a goal at half time to work hard in getting himself a goal, and his determination saw him get two goals in the second half! Once again Jordan Smith stood tall in defence having a strong impact in rebounding the ball out of defence.
It was a really good effort from the boys who stood up to the challenge all day and hopefully put in good stead for the weeks to come.
Final score: Bright 10.15 (75) def Benalla 10.4 (64)
Awards: Chris Adamo - Royal Hotel, Blake Marlborough - Golden Barber, Jordan Smith - Benalla Golf Club
Netball
A Grade
Benalla’s A Grade side faced a tough challenge on the road against Bright, once again fielding an undermanned team and relying heavily on fill-ins. Despite the adversity, the girls started strong, matching Bright’s pace well in the opening quarter.
However, the intensity proved difficult to sustain for the full 60 minutes, with the final score not reflecting the grit shown on court. A late inclusion, Eleanor Renkin stepped up for just her second A Grade appearance and delivered a standout performance in the unfamiliar role of wing attack, demonstrating great versatility and composure under pressure.
Elyse Felstead faced a tough match-up against Bright’s dominant goal shooter but worked tirelessly in defence, making her opponent earn every possession. Emma Sangster also rose to the challenge, adapting her game to keep pace with her opponent and proving to be a key asset through the midcourt with her agility and decision-making.
While the scoreboard showed a 37–73 loss, it was a hard-fought contest with plenty of positives to build on moving forward.
Final score: Benalla 37 def by Bright 73
Awards: Eleanor Renkin - Bill-Bo-Pop Award Elyse Felstead - TyrePower Award Emma Sangster - Benalla Racing Club Award
B Grade
The All Blacks B Graders made the trip to Bright on the weekend, coming up against a formidable opponent and going down 65-24 in a tough encounter.
Despite the scoreboard, the All Blacks fought hard until the final siren, showing resilience and determination throughout the game.
Lilly Robertson was awarded best on court with a strong performance. Starting in wing defence, Lilly showcased her versatility by stepping up in goal defence, where she impressed with several intercepts and helped transition the ball down the court.
Mel Reaper was also among the best on court, as always Mel plays a vital role throughout the mid court! She was a reliable and consistent option time and time again to transition the ball down the court. A move into goal attack in the latter stages of the match saw her experience and direction guide the attacking end through some beautiful passages of play.
Making her first appearance for the season, Haylea Smith was a standout in wing attack. She created valuable space and delivered a number of pinpoint passes into the goal circle, giving the attacking end plenty of opportunity to convert.
Final score: Benalla 24 def by Bright 65
Awards: Royal Hotel award - Lilly Robertson, Terry White award - Mel Reaper, SportsPower award - Haylea Smith
B Reserve
The Panthers faced off against the in-form Bright in what proved to be a tough outing. Bright got the early jump and set the tone for the game, forcing the Panthers into a game of catch-up from the outset.
Despite the early setback, the Panthers maintained their composure and intensity, showing grit and determination right through to the final whistle. Bri McNair was a standout under the post, displaying unwavering confidence and shooting with 100 per cent accuracy in the final quarter—earning herself best on court honours.
Chloe Dods was relentless in defence, her trademark workhorse style on full display. She pulled down critical rebounds and put constant pressure on the opposition shooters.
Bec Mathieson once again demonstrated her natural on-court leadership, using her game smarts to cut off turnovers and lift her teammates with encouragement and direction throughout the match.
Although the final score wasn’t in the Panthers' favour, the team’s fighting spirit never wavered.
Their continued resilience and commitment to each contest are a true reflection of their character. The girls will regroup, learn, and push forward, with eyes firmly set on bouncing back stronger in the rounds to come.
Final score: Benalla 34 def by Bright 46
Awards: Harry Brown - Bri McNair, Royal Hotel - Chloe Dods, Coffee Merchant - Bec Mathieson
Under 17s
The Benalla All Blacks Under 17 team had a challenging outing on Saturday, going down 66–19 to a strong and tall Bright side. While the scoreline wasn’t in their favour, the team stayed composed and showed determination to keep competing right through to the final whistle.
There were bright moments in the attacking end, with slick passing and strong connection between Keira Brown and Torah Heeps in the circle. The duo worked well together to break through Bright’s defence and put points on the board. Torah also applied solid defensive pressure further up the court, helping to slow Bright’s transitions.
In the centre, Alicia Langlands was a standout, putting in tireless work with repeat efforts, chasing up loose balls and keeping the energy high for her team. It was also a welcoming return for Lexi Squires, who made an impact in defence by getting hands to several balls and picking up some important rebounds.
While the result didn’t go their way, the team showed plenty of heart and will take valuable lessons into their next game.
Final score: Benalla 19 def by Bright 66
Awards: Torah Heeps - Jenny Milner Pharmacy, Alicia Langlands- All Blacks dinner award, Lexi Squires - McDonalds
Under 15s
This week, the under 15s travelled to take on second-placed Bright, knowing it would be a challenging match. The team was asked to put their strong defensive skills into play and work cohesively.
The first quarter set the tone for a competitive game, with both sides starting strong. Bright edged ahead with a narrow lead, 8-6.
In the second quarter, the defensive trio of Emma Manning, Imogen English, and Libby Renkin stood tall, applying pressure and forcing turnovers. Their efforts created valuable opportunities for the mid court players and Goalers to convert consistently.
With Benalla leading 16-14 at halftime, the team was encouraged to maintain their intensity, focus on possession, and play patiently. They did just that - moving the ball smoothly from defence to attack and extending their lead to 24-19 by the end of the third quarter.
Harper Robertson and Lola Crook combined brilliantly in the attacking circle, working in sync to keep the scoreboard ticking. Mid-court players Sharni Hughes, Darcie Jackson, Charli Levy, and Tarni White provided strong support, feeding the circle beautifully and complementing the defenders’ efforts.
Bright came out firing in the final quarter, applying significant defensive pressure and forcing a few minor errors. But Benalla held their ground. With discipline, teamwork, and solid defensive pressure across the court, the U15s maintained possession and composure to secure a well-earned win at the final siren.
Final Score: Benalla 32 def Bright 31
Awards: Hollywoods Pizza - Harper Robertson, Spot 4 Ice cream - Darcie Jackson, Benalla McDonald’s - Emma Manning
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