GVL ǀ Gallery ǀ Dees decimate Bears to kick-start flag quest

By James Kleeman

Sep 4, 2022

Big performance: Shepparton United's Jessie Barnes-Hill has a shot in her side’s first finals win on Saturday. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Shepparton United began its 2022 premiership quest in style on Saturday, delivering Shepparton a resounding 67-25 defeat in the first Goulburn Valley League elimination final.

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In a blistering start to the finals series, United put on a show for onlookers at Tatura Park who watched on in amazement as a rampant Demons side put the Bears to the sword in almost all aspects of the game.

United coach Kara Blizzard said she was pumped with the way her side had started its finals campaign.

Handing it off: Shepparton United’s Sophie Garner. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“We’re super excited and I’m very proud,” Blizzard said.

“I think going into finals, people usually say ‘you should be right’ and that sort of thing, but that isn’t usually the case.

“Shepparton are a great team, and it just shows anything is possible when it comes to finals.”

Fighting for it: Shepparton United’s Kara Blizzard grabs it under pressure. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Despite a narrow start to proceedings, the slick ball movement the Dees have displayed throughout the year quickly came to the fore, and they carried a formidable lead into quarter-time.

The Bears were unable to match it with their relentless opponents, who gradually built upon their early lead to break the game open with a second and third-quarter domination.

Star shooter and Wellman Medallist Jessie Barnes-Hill put on a masterclass in the Demons’ attacking ring and received class mid-court support from Blizzard and Laura Cole.

Finding space: Shepparton’s Caitlin Hill on the turn. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The Dees coach said she was pleased with performances across the court.

“They (Shepparton) put us under a lot of pressure, but the girls really held their own today,” Blizzard said.

“Everyone did their roles. Jessie had a really good game in goal shooter and Olivia Kirby in goal keeper really stepped up.

Thoughtful: Shepparton’s Caitlyn Tuohey brings the ball back to the circle. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“We always come out and try to find our groove. Hats off to Shepp, they really brought it early and their defensive pressure was really strong today.”

A trip to Kyabram is next on the agenda for Blizzard and her side, who will face the winner of a Seymour and Mooroopna qualifying final.

Excited: Shepparton United’s Jessie Barnes-Hill celebrates a goal. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

"We’ll take the moment in and encourage the girls to think positively and remember that we won today because we actually played good netball,“ Blizzard said.

“That’s the mindset we’re going for. We’ll enjoy the weekend and focus come Monday into next weekend’s game.”