CENTER PASS
Netball Showdown: Finley's Rise Meets Rumbalara's Dominance
Ever wondered how a team can rise from the bottom of the ladder to become a formidable contender? Discover the incredible journey of Finley's netball team and the key players behind their transformation, including the dynamic Chelsea McDonald and Lily Sharp. Despite their impressive form, they faced the undefeated Rumbalara in a gripping match marred by emotional challenges and the absence of key defender Tiana Steel. Tune in to hear how Jess Bamblett, playing under the heavy emotional weight of her mother's passing, showcased her unwavering commitment to the team.
In this episode of Centre Pass, we break down the thrilling second and third quarters where both teams battled fiercely, goal for goal, maintaining a tense and electrifying atmosphere. With Rumbalara holding a slim halftime lead, they started to find their rhythm in the third quarter, thanks to strategic adaptability and strong leadership. Ultimately, their efforts culminated in a 67-49 victory, solidifying their top position. We also explore the implications for the top six teams in the league and look ahead to crucial upcoming matches. Join us as we reflect on the season's competitive nature and extend our heartfelt condolences to Jess Bamblett for her loss, while commending her extraordinary resilience on the court.
Ever wondered how a team can rise from the bottom of the ladder to become a formidable contender? Discover the incredible journey of Finley's netball team and the key players behind their transformation, including the dynamic Chelsea McDonald and Lily Sharp. Despite their impressive form, they faced the undefeated Rumbalara in a gripping match marred by emotional challenges and the absence of key defender Tiana Steel. Tune in to hear how Jess Bamblett, playing under the heavy emotional weight of her mother's passing, showcased her unwavering commitment to the team.
In this episode of Centre Pass, we break down the thrilling second and third quarters where both teams battled fiercely, goal for goal, maintaining a tense and electrifying atmosphere. With Rumbalara holding a slim halftime lead, they started to find their rhythm in the third quarter, thanks to strategic adaptability and strong leadership. Ultimately, their efforts culminated in a 67-49 victory, solidifying their top position. We also explore the implications for the top six teams in the league and look ahead to crucial upcoming matches. Join us as we reflect on the season's competitive nature and extend our heartfelt condolences to Jess Bamblett for her loss, while commending her extraordinary resilience on the court.
Hey everybody and welcome to another episode of Centre Pass, a roundabout podcast all about netball. And today was a day where Rumballara, who were undefeated, came up against Finlay, who were at the time sitting in third place in the A grade match, and this game was meant to be a cracker. It was going to be a cracker because Finlay they haven't been very successful in past years, so last year they were sitting near the bottom of the ladder. They were sort of struggling. Rambalara last year got knocked out in an elimination final. This year, though, rambelara sort of made some inroads and they've been undefeated all year. So that is an absolute fantastic effort by the girls at Rumbelara and Finlay. As I said, they were sitting third. They have been playing some very, very good netball, so you've just got to look at the way they've been going, their form. So if you look at their form, finlay, you know prior to today they'd won one, lost one and won two. So they were sort of sitting about that third position with a couple of gun recruits that they've had. So Chelsea McDonald, who's come from Shepparton Swans, over. She won the best and fairest last year at Shepparton Swans Very, very accurate shooter. I've got a couple of girls that were playing at Moorpna under Dianzlo. So very competitive girls, they know how to compete. And then Lily Sharp in that defensive circle, but she was only. She's pretty much a flying flyer, so she sort of has only been playing a couple of games this year. So she lives in Queensland. So, yeah, full credit to Finlay to get you know to be in the top six. So, as I said, they were third Rumbler, were undefeated. They wanted to keep that, they wanted to stay undefeated and it was going to be a danger game, you would say, for Rambalara Up against Finlay because, as I said, finlay, they've knocked off some scalps. So they beat Tongala, who were last year's Premier, so they're the reigning Premier. So Finlay have knocked them off and have knocked off a couple of other scalps in that top six. So they were very, very confident.
Speaker 1:Today, talking to Chelsea before the game, she was saying that they were very confident. They'll just go out. They did have a couple of players that weren't there, so Lily Sharp wasn't there. A couple of others, as she said, were absent through sickness or whatever. So yeah, she knew it was going to be up. You know the fight was going to be up to them to see what was going on and how they were going to do things. So, but she was excited, she was pumped, she was looking forward to it With Rumballara, you know, their shooting circle with Jesse Barnes and barnes and sophie atkinson has just been extraordinary this year.
Speaker 1:They're um, they're midcourt with uh sarah emily, uh kai mideek, and then their defensive end, um, with some big story, big news coming out of there. Chana still didn't play today. So, um, they were a little bit, a little bit unsure on how that defensive circle is going to look, but normally it's yeah. As I said, uh, the dynamic duo probably the two best defenders in the league at the moment in tiana steel and jess bamblett, um, and then you got lani um and up and come up playing. Wind defense has actually been very strong this year. So, yeah, without Tiana playing today, I think Rumba and Lara were a bit hesitant and I just want to say, before I continue with this podcast, my thoughts and prayers and condolences go out to Jess Bamblett and her family after her mum passed away this week. So condolences to you and your family, jess. One of the nicest people I've ever met in, jess, and she's done a lot to this netball club, especially in A grade, to keep them together.
Speaker 1:It really affected Tiana Steele as well, because Tiana was very close to Jess's mum. She would go down and visit and pick Jess's daughters up for her and everything else. So it was a big loss. Yeah, was Jess going to play today? That was the big question as well. So, without Tiana playing, were they going to be very, very short or defensively wise with no Jess as well? So that was going to be the big question on um on everyone's lips. Was Jess going to play um? Answer that that was yes, she did play um and yeah, my hat goes off to her. She's played under duress because I said she lost her mum with uh through the week. So, um, to get out there on the court and knowing that, um, yeah, she's probably got one of the best goal defenses in the league not playing today. In Tiana Steele, sort of, yeah, she's probably got one of the best goal defenses in the league not playing today.
Speaker 1:In tiana steel, sort of, yeah, she was a bit apprehensive, bit anxieties, um, but they brought in um a couple of girls satash, bamblett, um who he's played for the swans in the past and he's a very good defender as well. So they had her to come in um just for today and you know whether that was to take over from tiana. I don't know whether they just knew that maybe jess wasn't going to play, but, um, it is what it is. They, they, yeah, so they're starting lineup. They had lani in goal defense with, uh, jess, and then, um, they had medica and wing wing defense. I had had Sarah in centre, emily in wing attack, obviously, jesse Barnes in goal attack and Sophie in shooter.
Speaker 1:The game started off, yeah, with a fast pace and I mean you're going to expect that because, as I said, nathalia really really wanted to stamp their authority. I'm sorry, finlay really really wanted to stamp their authority. They wanted to. I'm sorry, finlay really really wanted to stamp their authority. Yeah, and really, finlay wanted to show that they could match and that was something that Chelsea McDonald said before the game, that she wanted to actually try and match Rumbelara in the way they play, their skill set and everything else. And they got some quality mid-quarters as well, Finlay.
Speaker 1:So the game, as I said it was, yeah, it started off pretty even. You know it was probably. You probably looked at it and thought, oh shit, you know, finlay's probably got a chance here. Maybe Rumbelara thinking the same thing, because I think Finlay very, very much. Pretty much they just stuck with Rambalara in that first quarter so that Rambalara get a goal or get two goals through one being a turnover, and then Finlay do exactly the same thing.
Speaker 1:So there wasn't a lot of give and take in that first quarter. To an extent there was very much, yeah, very, very, even, very even quarter. Yeah, jess Barnes pulling out of tricks, getting rebounds and that sort of thing, so she was playing. Yeah, she was on song right from the start. So was Soph. Yeah, jess Bamlin, as I said, under duress because of her mum passing away and trying to find herself today to play, trying to will herself. And she said I was talking to Jess as well and she said that her mum would want that, she wanted her and her girls to play today. So she held that defensive end solid.
Speaker 1:Obviously, not having Tiana play and having Lani in there was a bit different on how they work things out. So, yeah, to Lani's credit, she did a great job. She sort of struggled and got found out a bit, because Chelsea is a big girl, like, she's solid, she's strong in her legs and strong in her hips and, yeah, very, very competitive Chelsea. So she's sort of got a fan out and then their goal attack. She was very agile, totally different to Chelsea. Very agile, knew where to go, how to read the play.
Speaker 1:So the pressure was on at the first quarter for Rumble R and that's probably the first time since the moema game where they've been pushed um and they, they with, with, withstood the pressure. Um, yeah, their midcourt was starting to get on top near the end of that first quarter. Um medega was doing well in wing defense and, as I said, sarah and Emily always doing their thing in the midcourt, and then Jessie Barnes and Soph, they were starting to find their shooting range. So, and you know, ever so, all the time you know Jess's turnaround and Jessie Barnes she would grab that, grab those rebounds, and a couple of times she made some intercepts and everything else. So it was, yeah, the first quarter was it wasn't a blowout, it wasn't a whitewash like other games have been for Rumblara against opposition.
Speaker 1:It was very much a very competitive first quarter, which was great to see. The score at the first quarter was yeah, it was 19 to 15, so Rumbelara's way only four goals up, you know, and Finland were able to score 15 goals and yeah, that's because of the new defensive end that they had. And Jess, yeah, obviously Jess is feeling a bit and the emotions and maybe trying to pep herself up to play the game, and so they're able to allow Finlay to score as much as what they were scoring as well. So, as I said that first quarter they only had four goals in it. So obviously Rumble had a little bit of work to do. I'm assuming Finley would have been thinking, oh yeah, we're on here, we're doing well, just do what we're doing, do the processes keep on going with our midcourt um in our defensive uh circle as well.
Speaker 1:So second quarter, uh, come out and sort of rumbelara, just yeah, they came out and um started to shoot a lot better. They started their, their structures started to work out very uh, a lot better. They, um, they, yeah, they. They were really really on song with their shooting. But in saying that, well, so was Finley, say, um, chelsea McDonald, just an absolute superstar in that uh in, she was shooting the lights out, she was shooting them from downtown up close under the ring. She had some good support from her goal attack, but she pretty much was shooting. Her efficiency. I'm not sure what her efficiency would be, but she was there, had it on a string and she was shooting them from long distance, short distance, and that's just Chelsea's game. She's a very good shooter when she gets a rising.
Speaker 1:Also, too, in the defensive circle, jess, and they changed it up. They put Kai Bandlett into goal defense so they started to work a little bit better, not taking nothing away from Larnie, but they started to work a little bit better, not taking nothing away from Larnie, but they started to work a little bit better. In that defensive circle. Midcourt was still on top and then, obviously, jess and Soph were continually on their merry way, but it wasn't all Rambalara again. That was very, you know, the defensive end of Finlay. Hats off to them. They did a magnificent job.
Speaker 1:They were, you know, very tight in their fence and it was just a matter of trying to get Rumble out, to try and get over the top of that defense and score from it. And yeah, it was a two-and-throw second quarter. It was like, you know, you'd walk one step, walk back two steps, walk two steps forward, work, you know, half a step back. It was that sort of game where it was a two and throw Two and throw like yeah, as I said, yeah, they'd be two goals up Rumbelara, yeah, they'd shoot two goals, and then Finlay would shoot two goals and then Rumbelara would shoot two goals and Finlay would only shoot one goal, and vice versa, and so on and so on. So it was very so, it was tight, it was very intense the game. There was a lot of skill on show, to be honest, between both sides. So, yeah, hats off, a credit to Finlay. Their skill set on their midcourt was absolutely fantastic. So it was still anyone's game.
Speaker 1:It wasn't blowouts like and I think that was the thing for Rumbelara it wasn't blowouts like they thought it was going to be. They were pretty much held accountable for their gameplay. You'd probably say that Finlay held them accountable and Finlay were matching them. As I said, there were some changes done and Finlay were matching them. As I said, there were some changes done. Madika Deeks she was playing wing defence, but Kai was in goal defence and working well with Jess and trying to work things out Because, as I said, jess has played with Tiana for the last eight weeks, nine weeks, and they've been phenomenal, those two in that defensive circle, their pressure on the ball. Their pressure on the opposition players has been fanatical. So for Jess to try and get that same out of Kai, it was probably not going to happen to an extent, but it was starting to work.
Speaker 1:So that second quarter, as I said, it was a to and fro, to and fro, to and fro. No one really dominated or inserted their dominance in that quarter. It was very much a tit for tat, goal for goal sort of thing. So half-time it was a 35-26. It was only like a nine-goal lead to Rumba. Now, normally Rumbalara would be 20, 30 goals. Yeah, you've got that breathing space, you can walk off at halftime and go. It's going to take a lot for this team to get back if we're 30 goals up, but nine goals.
Speaker 1:So, as I said, it was 35 to 26. So Finlay shot 11 goals in that quarter and Rumballara shot 16. So very, very even. Yeah, it was shot for shot. There was no that no one could really break away. As I said before, yeah, you'd get two goals. The opposite, you get one and you get one, they get two. And then it was just that sort of that sort of second quarter where, yeah, it was just both teams were, yeah, really wanting to ball and showing what they were doing. So, as I said, halftime score was yeah, rumballara was 35-26, nine goals up. As I said, they hadn't been that close, except for Moema. Pretty much, that was the only game at Moema when halft they were only down by three goals or whatever it was. So, yeah, to be up by nine goals, yeah, it's not a lot in netball.
Speaker 1:So third quarter started and there still wasn't a lot of rotation on the bench, so he sort of kept the same side. Medica was rotating out of the center every now and then just to get our emily a bit of a break, but the shooters were staying the same, the defenders were staying the same. Um, and then in that, in that second quarter or third quarter, I should say, uh, rumbler started to find their feet, they started to really uh work and I guess for the first two quarters I really didn't understand that process. I didn't understand that method that you actually still had to work. So they, they really got back down to the nitty-gritty and just started working, um, you know, chipping the ball off, chipping it around, but also still trying to apply defensive pressure to Finlay, because Finlay, dangling shooters, you've got the goal attack. She's nothing but a whippet. She'll run around all the time. And then you've also got Chelsea McDonald, who's very strong, very strong in the legs and the hips. So they held their own.
Speaker 1:Finlay were in that third quarter. They were holding their own and the score reflected it. It was, you know, rumble R in front and everyone knew that. But it was just that the score was being reflected just through the hard work that Finlay was showing. Yeah, they were really putting it up to Rumble R. As I said that, you know, half time the score should have been nearly done. You would think Collingwood, you know they put players, they put teams away. You know, normally for Rumble R, that would have been the same thing you know they would be. They'd have the game won, they'd be 20 goals, 30 goals up, but it was very, yeah, it was still getting close.
Speaker 1:In that third quarter. There was, it wasn't. You wouldn't say it was a premiership quarter, to be honest, yeah, they, but they were throwing a lot of different combinations, finlay, they were throwing a lot of defensive combinations, a lot of different combinations, finlay, they were throwing a lot of defensive combinations, a lot of midfield combinations, because the midcourt of Rumble R was, yeah, they were on top. They were on top all game. Their conversion rate was brilliant but, as I said, so was Finlay. So it was a very close game.
Speaker 1:It was still a cracking game and, as I said, finlay threw everything at rumbler. They, yeah, they really, and yeah, they really really wanted to get this win. They wanted to stamp their authority to say, hey, look, yeah, what rumbler can be beaten, um, and yeah, what, let's, let's take advantage of them not being at full strength. Let's take advantage of tiana still sitting on the bench, not being able to play, and really really get to Rumbelow. But Rumbelow is just I've said it before, cream rises to the top. And they were riding to the top.
Speaker 1:They wouldn't give Finlay an inch, like, yeah, you'd think Finlay would get two or three goals, I'll get a run on. Only an inch, like, yeah, you'd think, or finley will get two or three goals, I'll get a run on. But they, yeah, they just couldn't get like, they just couldn't get that run on. They would get stopped at one goal or two goals and then, rumble, I would shoot another two or three. So, um, it was, it was a. It was a tight tussle. Um, yeah, it was a, it was a physical tussle, but it was a physical tussle, but it was a fair tussle.
Speaker 1:I thought the umpire was very fair today and, as I said before, with Jess in that defensive circle, she's doing it all her own. She's got Kai there to give her a hand and she's under duress herself because of family tragedies. And she proved today how respectful or how respected she is as a captain. And she proved today why she's a captain coach or why she's a coach of this netball club, because she stood strong, she stood tough, she stood fast. She needed to and she showed everyone that she can.
Speaker 1:So third quarter as I said, it wasn't really a blowout by any side. So third quarter score at three-quarter time with 53, rumba to 38. So really that's a 15-goal lead to Rumballara coming into the last quarter. 15 goals isn't a lot Now, rumballara being used to having 40 goals in front or, you know, 30 goals in front or whatever. So that was. It was going to be a shock to them that all of a sudden they were only 15 goals up and one quarter to go. I mean, you know you needed a miracle from Finlay. We understand that. But you know, besides Moema, they've been the closest side to Rumbla.
Speaker 1:So third quarter started. A few changes again Madeek was off and Emily was on wing attack, you got Sarah in centre, lani went to wing defence and you've got Kai and Jess in that defensive circle and you've got Jess and Sophie in that. So the last quarter started and Rambalara just decided that they needed to do something, they needed to keep on going, they needed to put some pressure on. So I think they got the first two goals. But then, as I said, finland just wouldn't go away. They just were very much like their goal attack was playing extremely great netball. Chelsea mcdonald she was coaching, she was teaching, she was, she was leading by example in that in that goal shooting circle, and you know you could tell that she just didn't want to give it up just yet.
Speaker 1:Um, then mid court started to pick up. Their defense was wasn't too bad. They were having a lot of troubles with Jess and so with their rebounds and I mean all clubs are going to do that. I think that's something that clubs are going to look at of how they, I suppose, nullify Jess and her rebounding. But, as I said, they were very much trying their hardest to overcome this scoreline from Rambalara, and sometimes you try, but you might try too hard and after a while I think by trying so hard, I think they started to run out of a bit of leg. So Rambalara was able to get a couple of shots on and so forth, and yeah, and just with their rotation. So, sarah, come off for a while. Madika went to centre.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it was just absolutely yeah, it was a quarter where Rumble R were really trying to get their authority, really trying to stand it. But, yeah, finlay were really trying to get their authority, really trying to stand it. But Finlayar, to their credit, they wouldn't let them blow the game out, and Finlayar just tried and tried and tried I mean Pop Sides will finish the games out and Rambalara did, yeah, they were very, very strong in that last quarter, and so was Finlayar, to a point they were very, very strong in that third in that last quarter, and so was. So was finley, to a point they were very strong as well. Yeah, credit goes to finley because they, yeah, they tried and they, they did what they could and everything else and um, yeah, just maybe because they were missing players, maybe that lack of um cattle on the park, um, but then, yeah, as I said, tiana Steele wasn't playing either.
Speaker 1:So eventually Rumbalara, all of a sudden, has won, I think, their 13th game. You know, undefeated. Just yeah, very stamped authority. Yeah, tars Bandit, she played goal defence for a while Was very admirable, she was solid, just to help Jess out a bit. But Finlay, yeah, they tried, but yeah, unfortunately it just didn't really happen to them. So, 13 wins on the drop to Rumballara. They play Moela next week and they won't have a chance to steal again. She's gone to Adelaide for the weekend, so that is going to be something to look forward to.
Speaker 1:On how they did it today, obviously credit to Rumballara. They were able to get players to play positions that they don't normally play and it was credit to them that they actually stood up. So final score was let's have a look here, I'll have a look. So the final score for Rumba it was 67 to 49. So you know what's that? It's 18 goals. So they they pretty much that is. So they won 18 goals. Uh, last quarter they shot uh, 14 goals to 11. So every every quarter they were in front, um, you know, but they weren't blowing finley around. So so Finlay are going to shape the finals, they're going to make the finals and I think they'll have a cracking time at it because they've got the talent, they've got the girls. They've got Chelsea McDonald yeah, if Lily Sharp comes back, you've got these sort of girls, so they will shape that bottom part of the six.
Speaker 1:I'm not sure how the finals work, who plays who and whatever, but yeah, rambalara, as I said, they come up trumps again. Yeah, the big question now is who is going to actually stop Rambalara? Who's going to give them their first defeat for the year? Personally, I can't see anyone doing it at the moment. Maybe Moema might be the closest and with that result and the results of other games. So Finlay dropped down to fifth now, yeah, which is it's not the end all for them. I mean, yeah, they're still in the eight, but they're one game ahead of Nathalia, that's sixth. And then you're yeah, then they're two games ahead of Moela. So that top, probably from fourth to sixth probably, is still up in the air.
Speaker 1:Because, if you look at it, tony Tongala as well, yeah, they're sitting on nine wins, four losses. So is Daniloquin, so is Finlay. Nathalia's sitting on eight wins, four losses. So has Daniloquin, so has Finlay. Nathalia's sitting on eight wins, five losses, yeah, so you're looking at, yeah, rumba's two games in front, and then you've got Moema. That's what are they? They're two games in front of Tongala. Then Tongala, yeah, you've got Tongala, denny and Finlay sitting on 36. And then you've got Nathalia sitting on 32. So nathalia is a one game ahead of mawaila.
Speaker 1:Um, rumble, I play mawaila next week, so that'll be a cracking game. Um, if we go back into it now, we see what rum, I see what mawaila did this week. They played, they played New America and actually, yeah, really really did a job on New America. So it was 62 to 26. So what's that? 36, 46, 56. Yeah, so that's a 36-goal win by Moela and you, you know their score breakdown was pretty easy in first quarter, but then I don't know what happened in that second quarter, but it was just a blowout by Moela. Now I'm not sure what's going on there. They were, they were very mediocre at the start, but they've come up and, yeah, started to produce the goods at the right time of the year and, as I said, rumbelara play them next week. So it's going to be an interesting game.
Speaker 1:What's it look like for everybody else in that top six? I'd say Moama has pretty much got top two sewn up. So next week, well, that'll be a cracking game. So next week is Denny versus Moema and I think Denny's like two games or maybe three games behind Moema. Yeah, can get the plays in the face. So you think if they win that, finlay will beat Beruga dead, set the chicken on, I don't know. Rumble, rumble R, I think, will beat that and Tongala will defeat Numerka. But, as I said, today it was Rambalara 13th win. Goreline again was 67-49, rambalara's way Very much.
Speaker 1:Yeah, without Townsdale in that defensive circle they were able to do things and change things up. And you know, as I said before, condolences to Jessie Bamblett and her family with the passing of her mum, and she did an extraordinary job today, playing in duress and playing in you know where. She probably didn't really want to play. So, yeah, as I said, that is centre pass today. Rumbler very strong, too strong for Finlay. They go up against Mulvaylor next week.
Speaker 1:The next three, four maybe, yeah, next four games will really determine who's playing who in finals. You would assume and, yeah, we shouldn't really assume, but you would think that Rumble R will stay on top, moema will be second and it's up in the air who's going to be. Yeah, you're looking at Moema, and then you've got Tongala, danny, finlay, nathalia. So, yeah, that top, what's that? Five, four, well, that bottom four teams out of the six. Yeah, it's going to be very, very interesting to see where they go. Who goes where? I mean, if it was going to be now, I think Tiny would play Finlay and Denny would play Nathalia in eliminations, and then, obviously, the winner out of the Tiny-Finlay game would play Rumballara, and the same with Moana.
Speaker 1:So, as I said, that is it today. Great win by Rumballara at home up against a very, very determined Finlay. Chelsea McDonald, she keeps on going the way she's going with that team. She will mould them into a very good side. As long as they keep the cattle on the paddock and the same people within that club, they'll go well. But unfortunately today they didn't get the chocolates.
Speaker 1:Rumbelara still stay undefeated. They play Moela next week, so that'll be a cracking game. Again, tiana Steele won't be playing. They're able to work things out today, but not sure how they'll go if she stays on the sidelines for a little bit longer. And they play these quality sides like Moama and um Tongala. But again, um, that's me enough said and thank you for listening. I will do a preview of Moala game on Tuesday or Wednesday, but that is it. Uh, again, as I said, rumballara final winners over Finlay today at Rumballara a gallant Finlay side, but Rumballara came through undefeated, still in Murray League A grade, and it's getting closer and closer and I can smell it. Yeah, it's nearly coming August, september and that's finals and it's going to be a cracking finals series this year. So I'll do a review on that. That is me Enough said. I'm out. Thank you for listening. Enjoy your day, enjoy your weekend and I'll talk to you next week. I'm out, bye.