GVL | Battle for Deakin to light up round two netball action

By Daniel Webb

Apr 14, 2022

On the up: Ella Sidebottom and the Bears showed plenty of promise in round one. Photo by James Kleeman

A massive weekend of round two Goulburn Valley League netball action is sure to give supporters plenty to sink their teeth into.

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Some blockbuster clashes are pencilled in across the round, with games on both Friday and Saturday.

One of the match-ups sure to draw a healthy number of onlookers is the ‘battle for Deakin’ with Shepparton United playing host to the Shepparton Bears on Friday night at Deakin Reserve.

United will be coming off a big round one win over the Shepparton Swans last week, while Shepparton will be aiming to bounce back after a loss to Mooroopna.

Bears coach Tracey Brereton said her side was excited to get into it.

“Not just because it’s a Friday night and not just because we haven’t had much netball the past two years but probably more excited to keep improving on the form we had last week against Mooroopna,” Brereton said.

“I think we showed some fantastic form for our first game and I know the girls are looking forward to building on that further.”

The Bears will be up against it on Friday night, with Shepparton United coming off a big win.

Despite this victory, Brereton said her side was not focussed on the opposition at all.

“We know the things that we need to fix, we had probably five or 10 minutes of pretty ordinary play last week and that was probably the difference between us and Mooroopna,” she said.

“To be honest I’m not too fussed about what the other teams are, we are just concentrating on what we can do.”

Brereton said her side had all performed well on the training track this week, with good connection through the defence, middle and attack a positive.

The Bears will take on United on Good Friday under lights, with play set to begin at 6.45pm.

In other Good Friday games, Benalla will welcome Tatura at 2.15pm while Rochester will travel to Kyabram for a 5.30pm clash.

On Saturday the action will continue, with Echuca taking on Euroa at home and Mansfield battling Seymour in Mansfield, both at 2.15pm.

The round will draw to a close on Saturday night, with Mooroopna and the Shepparton Swans playing at 6.45pm in Mooroopna.

Swans star Sophie Atkinson is unavailable for this clash due to the Easter break, with the big out sure to have an impact on the contest.