Sport
13 August, 2025
Southern Mallee storms past Nhill with 68-40 victory
Southern Mallee Thunder are celebrating another great performance by our moddies crew this week. The leadership of our older kids continues to develop and their support and guidance to the younger players does not go unnoticed.
Moddies leaping ahead
All players rotated through various areas of the court and showed great versatility.
They listened to feedback (while diving in the lolly tub for sour-patch kids) and worked hard to implement it throughout the game.
It is fantastic to see the older kids starting to develop a deeper understanding of the rules and tactics and the confidence and skills of our younger ones continuing to grow.
Awards:
Mealsbox – Layla Poynton: Layla has been extremely committed to her netball this year and constantly listens to ways to improve. She has the makings of a superstar shooter but gives any position a red-hot go. Well done, Layla.
Thunder Canteen – Emma Saul: Emma always defends really well but on Saturday had some freedom to explore other positions, including centre. Em has great leadership skills and is super-supportive to everyone around her. Great game, Emma.
Under 13s
The energy was high at Hopetoun for our second-last home game of the season, with the 13 and under girls warming up alongside the A grade team for our ‘Buddy’ round who led the way as their loudest and most enthusiastic cheer squad.
Thunder started the match with a calm and steady approach.
In the goal ring, Emily and Felicity faced a tall Nhill defender but held their own with confidence and composure.
Emily continues to grow each week while Felicity remained a strong target under pressure.
Pippa Shannon and Sophie Frankel worked the outside circle with precision, delivering clean feeds in to the shooters.
Our defensive unit – Mia, Pippa Fisher and Elka – were rock-solid, barely allowing Nhill a look at goal.
A boost came with the return of Ellerdy, back after a six-week injury break.
She has shown growth and plenty of netball development not to miss a beat, bringing intercepts, pressure and smart feeding in to the attack end.
In the second half Layla stepped into a new role at wing defence, where she read the play well and applied excellent pressure, collecting some crucial loose balls.
A position change saw Mia move in to goal shooter, where she teamed up with Felicity to great effect.
Their movement, positioning and rebounding helped rack up the goals.
Meanwhile, Elka and Pippa F remained locked in defensively, keeping Nhill scoreless in the third quarter.
The midcourt players maintained intense pressure and transitioned the ball beautifully in to the attacking third, rounding out a confident and convincing performance.
It was a massive achievement and a testament to how well the team is coming together, building confidence, growing in skill and showing real Thunder spirit.
This performance sets a strong tone as we head into the final rounds of the season.
Final score: SM Thunder 33 defeated Nhill Tigers 3
Awards: Mia Roberts, Elka Huf, Sophie Frankel, Pippa Fisher
Under 15s
With our B grade Buddies cheering from the sidelines this week, the Thunder 15s girls had wonderful support and encouragement throughout the match.
The Thunder girls were a little slow out of the starting blocks but were able to progress throughout the game.
Despite the great atmosphere and determination on court, Nhill proved too strong this time and came away with a convincing win.
Awards:
Towel Award – Lily Saul: For some fantastic rebounds in defence and then backing it up with impressive shooting at the other end of the court, well done, Lily.
Warrack Electrical Award – Olivia Moore: For her tireless effort both in goals and defence, shooting brilliant goals and putting in a fierce defensive effort throughout the game, great work, Olivia.
Final Score:Nhill Tigers 44 defeated SM Thunder 17
Under 17s
With the sun beaming down on them the girls put their all into the game against Nhill, keeping it a really close game the whole time, losing 51-57.
The girls had the defensive pressure on every ball and delivered the ball fabulously, with amazing passes and eyes for the best option always.
Thefirst award this week went to Lilly Heron, who had great defensive pressure, getting intercept after intercept, keeping the ball out of Nhill’s ring.
Marlie Knorpp got second best as she had a ripper game, running all over the attacking end, giving the ball into the ring fabulously and looking for the best option always.
Special mentions went to Phoebe Bigham and Rachael Camilleri who worked greatly together sinking goal after goal.
Final score:Nhill Tigers 57 defeated SM Thunder 51
Awards: Lily Heron, Marlie Knorpp
C grade
It started off as an intense match with both teams scoring goal for goal.
However, Nhill managed to get the jump on our Thunder girls, which led to a few necessary position changes.
Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we went down by nine in the end.
A special shoutout goes to Hailey York for an outstanding performance on the court.
She was truly best on court.
Additionally, a big congratulations to Ebony Spokes for securing the second best position with her remarkable efforts.
Let's keep our heads high and continue to work hard for the upcoming games.
Well done, team.
Final score: Nhill Tigers 29 defeated SM Thunder 20
Awards: Hailey Yorke, Ebony Spokes
B grade
On Saturday we played against Nhill and came away with a strong 49-25 win.
It was a great game from start to finish, with the whole team working together and showing great determination.
Our defence was solid, creating plenty of great turnovers and pressure, while our attack moved the ball quickly and accurately in to the goal ring.
Shooting was consistent all game, and every player gave her best effort.
Overall, it was a fantastic team performance and a well-deserved win.
The girls gave it their all and didn’t stop the whole gamej
Great Job, Thunder.
Final score: SM Thunder 49 defeated Nhill Tigers 25
Kiara O’Reilly got the AJ contracting & Excavations award and Issy Allan got the Warrack Electrical & Refrigeration award.
Well deserved, girls.
A grade
Southern Mallee Thunder triumphed 68-40 over the Nhill Tigers on Saturday in A grade.
Steph Thomson was outstanding in goal attack, linking up seamlessly with Emma Mill in the goal circle to create constant scoring opportunities.
The pair’s strength in the circle and precision finishing were key to the Thunder’s success.
Luca Landrigan was also recognised in her debut A grade game, remaining calm and composed whilst transitioning the ball into the Thunders attack.
In the defensive end, Sydney Thorogood was a rock, pulling off crucial intercepts and rebounds to keep the Tigers at bay.
She was strongly backed by goal defenders Abby White and Caitlin Douglass, who committed strongly to their defensive efforts down court and in the Tigers goal circle.
Despite a determined effort from Nhill, the Thunder's overall depth and control were too strong to overcome.
Final score: SM Thunder 68 defeated Nhill Tigers 40
Awards: Steph Thomson, Luca Landrigan
