Mixed bag for All-Blacks in round one

Our midfield won the majority of the first quarter with Jesse Walker and David Button leading the charge. Our backline was holding strong with Flynn Weeks fighting at every contest.

We had a good feeling going into the second quarter but unfortunately Tarrawingee got on top, taking a strong lead going into half-time. The third quarter was a fairly even scrap. Brady Linke held his own at every contest and worked really well up and down the ground.

Conor O'Donnel played one of his best games and solidified his position in the backline going into the last. Michael Ryan starred in the forward line, kicking four for the game, but unfortunately Tarra was just too fit and ran away with it at the end.

Awards: Tyrepower — David Button; Golden Barber — Brady Linke; Benalla Golf Club — Jesse Walker.

Final score: Tarrawingee 4.0, 9.6, 12.9, 17.14 (116) d Benalla 3.1, 4.3, 6.6, 7.6 (48)

Reserves

It was a shaky start to the season but we were stoked to get a reserves team together to have our twos footy back!

The game started slowly, with majority of the team never having played together. Tarrawingee jumped out to an early lead and looked strong with the footy. Our endeavour was there but we just overused the ball a little.

Rob was a brute force in the ruck and Ayden Amos starred in the middle, giving us good options throughout the game. Harry Ellis began to fire, kicking a few goals. Austin, in his first game for the club, was impressive with a couple of really good efforts resulting in a shot on goal. Josh Kotvas ran all day through the middle, racking up possessions.

It was a really good effort from the boys with a bit of a mixed bag having never played together before. The boys cracked in all day and by the end were beginning to gel together really well.

Having no bench hurt us a little with the humid weather, so the boys did really well to run out the game. In the end, the game got away from us and we went down by 60 points.

Awards: Harry Brown — Ayden Amos, Benalla Races — Josh Kotvas, Hollywood's Pizza — Rob Blanchard.

Final score: Tarrawingee 3.4, 7.6, 10.11, 15.14 (104) d All Blacks 0.3, 3.5, 5.5, 6.8 (44)

A-grade

Benalla’s A-grade side had a very shaky start to its 2025 campaign. It came out in the first quarter making simple errors and with some first-game nerves which proved to be very costly, with Benalla only managing five goals in the first 15 minutes.

After making some quick changes to the mid-court, Benalla managed to claw its way back in to the game. The incredibly strong defensive pressure across the court was Benalla’s biggest asset in Saturday’s game.

Jessie Ellis was a standout in goal defence as always, taking intercepts with ease and creating space throughout the mid-court. Nat Pritchard did a mountain of work in both wing defence and wing attack, showing off her accurate feeding into the ring and forcing turnovers all over the court. Andrea Hooker had a great game in goal keeper lining up against the top goal shooter in the league.

Hooker had her hands on every ball, really making her opponent work hard, and pulled in huge rebounds all day.

Despite the tremendous effort to fight back, Benalla went down 39-54.

Awards: Tyrepower — Jessie Ellis; Stella Stella — Nat Pritchard; Sports Power — Ang Hooker

B-grade

Excited for netball to be back, we travelled to Tarrawingee for round one. Unfortunately the Panthers didn’t have the start to the season we were hoping for.

With multiple outs and having to rely on fill-ins, the girls were on the back foot from the start. But to every single player’s credit, they put in 100 per cent and did everything that was asked of them from their coaches and more.

There were plenty of positives during the game and lots we can take back to the training court and get stuck into. Chloe Pilkington had a brilliant game in goal keeper with strong hands over the ball and great positioning, earning herself and her team plenty of rebounds. Mel Reaper worked hard across the court in multiple positions, creating space and movement for her team.

Emma Sangster just ran and ran all day, was always an option and her constant positivity, encouragement and direction of play was a great asset on the day.

Final score: Tarrawingee 59 d Benalla 22

Awards: Benalla Races — Chloe Pilkington; Sportspower — Mel Reaper; Bill Bo Pop — Emma Sangster.

B-reserve

The All Blacks’ B-reserve netball team took to the court for the first time in 2025 after a season without a side in the competition.

Despite being a newly formed team with plenty of individual experience but little time together, the players rallied to create a competitive outfit eager to make an impact.

Taking on Tarrawingee in the opening round, the game provided an opportunity for the team to test its combinations and build chemistry. The first quarter proved challenging as the team worked to find its rhythm.

However, Taitum Hemming, playing her first game after a long spell away from netball, showcased her skill and composure in the goal ring, helping establish a goal-for-goal battle early on. Despite its efforts, Tarrawingee managed to break away slightly, securing a two-goal lead at quarter-time.

The second quarter saw a lift in attacking pressure, with Brooke Bradshaw bringing energy and sharp decision-making to the forward end. Her presence boosted the confidence of Brianna McNair, allowing the All Blacks to find greater fluency in attack. Meanwhile, Chloe Dods and Kristy Hanrahan were relentless in defence, putting in an immense effort to turn over possession.

Their work ensured the scores were locked at half-time, setting up an exciting second half.

After the break, Tarrawingee came out firing, increasing the tempo and putting the All Blacks under pressure.

Despite the tireless efforts of Jo Gall, Ellex Best and Catherine Dennis in the mid-court, the Dogs gained momentum and extended their lead to seven goals by the final change.

Determined not to let Tarrawingee run away with the match, the All Blacks dug deep in the last quarter.

Bec Mathieson, in her usual workhorse style, controlled the centre court, feeding the goalers with precision and keeping the team competitive. The final term saw an even contest, proving the All Blacks’ potential moving forward.

While the four points ultimately went to Tarrawingee, the All Blacks took plenty of positives from the match.

With a bye this week, the team is set to use the extra time to refine its combinations and come out stronger and more determined in its next clash against North Wangaratta.

Awards: Stella Stella — Catherine Dennis; Sportspower — Chloe Dods; Terry White — Brooke Bradshaw.

Under-17s

C-grade had a fantastic start to 2025, showing it can grind out a game and keep its composure when needed.

Going into the second quarter down by eight, the girls were determined to put the first quarter behind them, along with any first-game nerves. They came out in the second with purpose and showed fantastic defensive pressure all down the court.

This was complemented in attack with strong leads and great teamwork. Best-on-court Keira Brown shone, showing her experience and composure in the goal circle, moving well and shooting accurately.

Brown’s defensive pressure when needed was another highlight of her game.

Imogen Randell came into the game in the second quarter and took control of the mid-court, calming the play and providing great direction for those around her.

Amali Mackenzie was instrumental in defence, keeping her eyes up and taking many intercepts and rebounds.

The defensive pressure of the entire team played a massive part in pegging back the score quarter by quarter before finally getting the win by four goals in a great game to watch for all spectators.

Final score: All Blacks 26 d Tarrawingee 22

Awards: Chill Out Smoothie Bar — Keira Brown; Spot 4 Icecream — Imogen Randell; Stella Stella — Amali Mackenzie.

Under-15s

With new faces joining the Benalla All Blacks’ under-15s side, the team was excited to start the season strong.

The team played a fantastic defensive game, creating multiple turnovers across the court to allow our mid-court players to move the ball down the court to our attacking circle.

Tarni White and Lola Crook moved well in the ring, creating multiple opportunities for Darcie Jackson and Harper Robertson to feed patiently. Sharni Hughes, Imogen English and Charli Levy put the pressure on and made it difficult for Tarrawingee’s attack to get the ball into its goal circle.

Libby Renkin and Emma Manning also played well in the ring together, rebounding and bringing the ball out of the defensive end to our mid-court players. After a great first game, the under-15s are excited to see what they can do in 2025.

Final score: Tarrawingee 15 lost to Benalla All Blacks 35

Awards: Hollywood’s Pizza Award — Lola Crook; Chill Out Smoothie Bar — Sharni Hughes; Spot 4 Ice cream — Tarni White.