Round 9 again highlighted the strength of the competition leaders, with North Ballarat, Sebastopol and Sunbury all recording strong wins, while Darley edged out Ballarat in a tight contest and Redan produced a dominant performance over Melton. Lake Wendouree also pushed North Ballarat all the way in a high-intensity contest, highlighting the depth and competitiveness of the competition.

This week’s fixture presents another crucial set of match-ups that will continue to shape the ladder. The standout contest sees Lake Wendouree take on a surging Redan outfit in a game that will test both sides’ consistency under pressure. At the same time, North Ballarat faces Ballarat in another key clash, with the ladder leaders looking to maintain their dominance against a side that remains dangerous in patches but is searching for four-quarter consistency.

Further match-ups see Sebastopol looking to continue their strong form against East Point, Sunbury aiming to extend their momentum against Darley, and Bacchus Marsh taking on Melton in a game where both sides will be desperate for valuable points as the season tightens.

IN FORM

North Ballarat, Sebastopol, Sunbury

BUILDING

Lake Wendouree, Redan

SEEKING RESPONSE

Darley, Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, Melton

WILDCARD

East Point

Bacchus Marsh showed improved competitiveness in their loss to Sebastopol, with Georgia Shattock again providing strong defensive impact and the team lifting significantly in the second half, including an 11–6 third-quarter surge.

Melton endured a tough outing against Redan, struggling to contain sustained pressure across the court. Chloe Brown again stood out with her work rate and consistency, but they will need stronger connection through the midcourt and into attack.

Key Match-Up

• The battle for midcourt transition and ball security under pressure

What to Watch

• Bacchus Marsh’s ability to sustain momentum across four quarters
• Melton’s ability to withstand defensive pressure
• Efficiency inside the goal circle

Prediction

Bacchus Marsh’s recent improvement and structure should see them narrowly take this contest.

Bacchus Marsh Team List

GS – Kimberly Philipps
GA – Jasmine Paama
WA – Melissa Prismall
C – Eliza Moodie
WD – Ella Logan
GD – Georgia Shattock
GK – Avana Hobson
Sub – Olivia Phyland
Sub – Chloe Eyre

Melton Team List

GK – Jacqui Mitrevski
GD – Emma Vitalone
WD – Sydney Hayes
C – Vanessa McIntosh
WA – Jade Fisher
GA – Ebony Carter
GS – Holly Mason
Sub – Felicia Toleafoa

Sunbury bounced back strongly in Round 9 with a 55–39 win over East Point, driven by elite turnover generation from Eliza Gollant and Elly Randall in circle defence. Abagail Inglis controlled the game through the centre, dictating tempo and transition, while Charlize Bellette added a reliable scoring presence with 31 goals.

Darley came away with a hard-fought 49–46 win over Ballarat, showcasing their ability to hold their nerve across four quarters. Olivia Cawthray was again a key focal point in attack, while Matilda Elliot provided a strong defensive presence to help Darley secure the result in a close finish.

Key Match-Up

• Sunbury’s defensive unit against Darley goaler Olivia Cawthray

What to Watch

• Sunbury’s ability to maintain momentum from turnover ball
• Darley’s ability to back up after a hard-fought win over Ballarat
• Centre pass conversion efficiency

Prediction

Sunbury’s defensive pressure and transition strength should give them the edge.

Sunbury Team List

GS – Caitlyn Hill
GA – Lani Fuanuko
WA – Georgia Hellyer
C – Tayla Honey
WD – Abi Inglis
GD – Eliza Gollant
GK – Elly Randall
Subs – Charlize Bellette
Subs – Taylah Easton

Darley Team List

GS – Olivia Cawthray
GA – Akira McCormack
WA – Lucy Taylor
C – Montana Holmes
WD – Jaimee Smith
GD – Anna Lawley
GK – Matilda Elliot
Sub – Shannon Blackman
Sub – Ailish McCormack

Ballarat were involved in a thriller last week, going down 49–46 to Darley in a game that was level at both half-time and three-quarter time. Ellie Bird made an immediate impact in attack, shooting 39 goals at 92 per cent, while Eliza Burge was a dominant presence in the defensive circle.

North Ballarat once again showed why they remain the benchmark, opening strongly in their win over Lake Wendouree with a 16–2 first quarter and holding firm late. again, Selmon continued her outstanding form, finishing with 13 goals at elite efficiency, while North Ballarat’s defensive structure again proved difficult to break down. Lilly Francis had an incredible impact through the midcourt, driving transition and providing strong connection across the court.

Key Match-Up

• Eliza and Xara Burge versus Maddy Selmon and North Ballarat’s attacking unit

What to Watch

• North Ballarat’s early scoreboard pressure
• Ballarat’s ability to maintain connection into attack under pressure
• Transition speed out of the defensive half

Prediction

North Ballarat’s system, structure and ability to control momentum should see them remain unbeaten and in control.

Ballarat Team List

GS – Dakota Blade
GA – Imogen Sexton
WA – Ella Shannon
C – Xara Burge
WD – Ava Richardson
GD – Jacinta McKenzie
GK – Eliza Burge
Sub – Bree Lane
Sub – Sam Bakes

North Ballarat Team List

GS – Maddy Selmon
GA – Poppy Douglass
WA – Georgia Bodey
C – Lilly Francis
WD – Brydi Hutchinson
GD – Milly Simpson
GK – Maggie Smith
Int – Maddy Fitzpatrick
Int – Kelsie Rainbow
Int – Amy Wirth

Sebastopol produced a strong start in their win over Bacchus Marsh, building a 12–5 opening quarter that set the tone for the match. Alice Kain was dominant in defence, disrupting opposition flow and limiting scoring opportunities, while Adut Manyiel finished strongly with 10 goals in the final quarter to secure the result.

East Point continue to show competitiveness across games, with Isabella Stevens and Abby Kinnersly continuing to provide strong contributions through the midcourt and attacking end. Claire Oakley’s return added structure in the goal circle, but they will need sustained four-quarter pressure to challenge higher-ranked opposition.

Key Match-Up

• Adut Manyiel vs the East Point defensive circle

What to Watch

• Sebastopol’s ability to start strongly again
• East Point’s defensive pressure through the midcourt
• Conversion from turnover opportunities

Prediction

Sebastopol’s structure and scoring power should see them control the contest.

East Point Team List

GK – Grace Rodgers
GD – Stella Geljon
WD – Rhiannon White
C – Isabella Stevens
WA – Abby Kinnersly
GA – Jeremi Robinson
GS – Keele Hillas
Sub – Evie Rooney
Sub – Bridey McElligott

Sebastopol Team List

GS – Adut Manyiel
GA – Laura Bell
WA – Hannah Atkinson
C – Tahlia Watts
WD – Nikki Allen
GD – Taylor Finch
GK – Alice Kain
Subs – Makayla Wright
Subs – Jami Luhrs
Subs – Sienna Muir

Lake Wendouree showed both resilience and attacking control in their narrow loss to North Ballarat, recovering from a 16–2 opening-quarter deficit to produce a strong 16–9 second term. Sadie Cheeseman was outstanding through the midcourt, driving transition and controlling the tempo as the Lakers worked their way back into the contest.

Redan delivered one of their most complete performances of the season in a 58–20 win over Melton, controlling all four quarters with strong defensive pressure and seamless long-court transition. Stacey Matthews was influential through the midcourt, linking strongly with Ashley Smith, while the attacking unit maintained relentless scoreboard pressure throughout the contest.

Key Match-Up

• Sadie Cheeseman vs Redan’s midcourt defensive pressure and transition control

What to Watch

• Whether Redan can replicate last week’s four-quarter dominance
• Lake Wendouree’s ability to withstand early defensive pressure
• The midcourt battle shaping scoring opportunities

Prediction

This shapes as one of the toughest games of the round, with Lake Wendouree holding a slight edge due to their ability to control tempo in pressure situations.

Redan Team List

GK – Kirsten Andrich
GD – Ashley Smith
WD – Caitlin Farr
C – Grace Manserra
WA – Stacey Matthews
GA – Eva Manserra
GS – Stella Kane
Sub – Rebecca Langley
Sub – Abby Poulton

Lake Wendouree Team List

GS – Addison Funcke
GA – Ebony Porter
WA – Emma Hawker
C – Sadie Cheeseman
WD – Rosie Todd
GD – Remi Hooper
GK – Audrey Domaille
Sub – Bella Clark
Sub – Demi Thompson