Netball
13 July, 2026
One-goal thrillers headline WFNL round 12
It was an action-packed round of netball in the WFNL with two games decided by just one goal.
Dimboola overcame a slow start to defeat Warrack Eagles 33-32 at Anzac Park.
Both sides played with defensive intensity, reflected in a 7-4 quarter-time score.
The sides exchanged goals in the second quarter, each scoring 12, and went into the main break 19-16.
The defensive prowess of both sides continued to dominate in the second half.
Warracknabeal’s Jordan Heller continued her good form since returning to A grade, while Dimboola’s defensive duo of Stephanie Glover and Bridget Dorrington gave the hosts plenty to think about.
The Roos seized the lead late in the third quarter to go into the final break ahead 25-24.
Neither side took a backwards step in the fourth quarter; three late goals to the Eagles were not enough, as Dimboola won by a single goal.
Nicole Polycarpou top scored with 14 goals (70 per cent accuracy), while Olivia Beugelaar finished with 12 goals (75%) and Giselle Clugston added seven (46%).
Warrack spread the scoring evenly, with Briodi McKenzie’s 12 goals (67%) ahead of Nicola Clyne’s 10 (83%) and Grace Humphries’ 10 (56%).
Dimboola captain Rianna Kuhne praised her side for grinding out the road victory.
“It was good for us to have a comeback win,” she said.
“They came out really firing.
“We were always a very adaptable and versatile team. We really relied on that to get the win.”
After seizing the lead in the third quarter, Kuhne said her side knew they could back each other to stay focused on the final quarter.
“We just kept that positivity, and we knew that we could do it,” she said.
“We knew our hard work would pay off in the end.
“It was just about positivity and patience and like doing the basics right.
“We know what we needed to do, but it was just about executing it and adapting to the game.”
Kuhne praised the side’s youth for stepping up in back-to-back games.
“Giselle [Clugston], Temika [Greig] and Emily [Taylor] were amazing,” she said.
“I think it's important that we give time to those girls, because they are our future.
“It's also good for their confidence. When we need them in games like this, then they've got the confidence to come on and do the job.”
Horsham had to dig deep to defeat Stawell Warriors at Central Park, coming from five goals down to win 48-47.
The hosts came out firing with a 7-2 lead through strong defensive play from goal keeper Erin Freeland.
Back-to-back scores from Jemma Clarkson gave the Warriors a 16-9 at the first break.
Needing a midcourt boost, Demons’ coach Georgie Carberry shifted into the midcourt, while Zarli Knight jumped into goal attack.
However, Stawell continued to grow its lead; three late goals to Knight and Imogen Worthy saw the sides go into the main break at 27-20.
Horsham made several wholesale changes at half-time, including moving starting centre Georgia Hiscock into goal keeper, GK Ginger Short into wing defence and Worthy into wing attack.
Like a game of chess, Stawell switched coach Clarkson with wing attack Madi Taylor.
The adjustments helped Horsham enjoy its best defensive quarter, reducing Stawell’s 21 shot attempts in the first quarter to 14 in the third.
Three straight goals by Knight saw the visitors cut the margin down to just three goals with three minutes remaining.
However, more late goals by Mitchell saw the Warriors go into the final break ahead 37-32.
Facing back-to-back losses, Horsham came out like a team possessed.
The visitors whittled away Stawell’s lead, generating turnovers and finding a red-hot goal shooter.
With six minutes remaining, the Demons took the lead as Worthy scored on eight consecutive shots.
Ahead 47-41, the Demons faced a late rally from the Warriors, who scored the last six goals, but ultimately fell one short.
Worthy finished with 34 goals (85%), Zarli Knight added nine (69%), and Carberry finished with five (50%). Mitchell finished with 41 goals (79%), supported by Clarkson’s four (37%) and Taylor’s two (40%).
Knight and Demons’ goal defence Georgia Batson were named best on court along with Warriors’ Freeland and Taylor.
Horsham Saints came back from Jeparit with four premiership points, defeating the Southern Mallee Thunder 60-36.
The defending premiers came out strongly with an 18-10 opening quarter.
They extended their lead into the main break, outscoring the hosts 17-10 in the second quarter.
The visitors held a 35-19 lead at halftime as defensive duo Maddison Bethune and Zeena Kelm commanded the space.
With a 16-goal lead at halftime, the Saints rested league-leading goal scorer Jorja Clode.
The Saints continued their dominance with a 15-7 third quarter through Olivia Taylor and Megan Byrne.
A 10-10 final quarter saw the margin remain at 24 goals.
Clode finished with 29 goals (90%), while Taylor added 23 (70%) and Byrne eight (75%).
Phoebe Bigham scored a game-high 30 goals (75%), supported by Luca Landrigan (three at 60%), Kierra Schumann (two at 22%) and Tamara Ashton (one at 50%).
Nhill has won back-to-back games with a 60-40 victory against Minyip Murtoa.
The Burras started strongly with a 13-12 first quarter; however, the Tigers seized the lead before halftime with a 19-9 second quarter.
A 16-12 third quarter saw the hosts extend their lead into the last break.
With the home crowd behind them, Nhill pushed the margin out to 20 goals to secure its third win of the season.
Zara Polkinghorne led the way for the Tigers with 32 goals (68%), while Ruby James added 27 (71%).
Minyip Murtoa’s Jessica Newell (25 goals at 71%) and Jenna Schneider (15 at 71%) were named best on court.