Benalla netballers celebrate on-court milestones against Echuca

By Alexander Dabb and Contributed

Apr 29, 2025

Alex Robinson (left) celebrated 100 games for Benalla alongside current A-grade coach Chloe Hill (right) who celebrated her 150th club game, with former coach Robyn Smith (middle) on hand for the presentations.

It was a special occasion for Benalla’s A and B-grade sides at the weekend, with Chloe Hill and Alex Robinson celebrating milestones when they took to the court at Benalla Showgrounds against Echuca.

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Hill’s appearance marked 150 games in the Saints colours, while Robinson notched her 100th game for Benalla, with past coach and mentor Robyn Smith on hand to make the presentations.

Unfortunately for the milestone girls, neither of their sides could salute them with a win, as Echuca proved too strong across both grades.

Hill’s A-grade charges have shown great improvement across the opening three rounds, but got off to a slow start against the 2023 premier, falling six goals behind at the first break and were unable to reel it in during the second quarter as Echuca’s lead reached 13 by half-time, the Saints trailing 17-30 at the main break.

But as they have done in each of their matches, Benalla showed glimpses of its potential, matching Echuca goal-for-goal in the third term to keep the margin at 13 with one quarter to play.

While the Murray Bombers pulled away slightly in the last quarter to record a 50-34 win, the Saints acquitted themselves well, with defender Chloe Elliott and midcourters Gemma Mathieson and Liv Dalton among the best in the loss.

The Saints will regroup ahead of a visit to Tatura this weekend, where they will look to replicate the same intensity they brought in the third term.

B-grade

Benalla 34 lt Echuca 46

Echuca came out tough in the first quarter and while Benalla fought back, unfortunately, it couldn’t catch the Murray Bombers by the final siren.

Best players: Mim McKenzie, Karla Balfour, Mia Matthews

B-reserve

Benalla 45 d Echuca 30

Our wonderful B-res girls were on top of Echuca from the get-go, fighting hard all game to come away with a convincing win.

Best players: Caitlin Timmers, Zoe Liddington, Remi Nicholas

Under-17

Benalla 39 lt Echuca 58

Our 17s put up a solid effort, only down by one at half-time. Unfortunately, they couldn’t hang on against Echuca in the second half.