WELL it's all settled at the top end of the Ovens and King Netball League ladder, with the results of the penultimate home and away round going largely to expectations.
While there were more blowouts, there were also a number of intriguing battles on the weekend, with one upset that could have an impact on the make up of the final eight.
Bright travelled to Whitfield on Saturday to take on King Valley, and while they have shown significant improvement over the course of the season, the young Mountain Maidens were not expected to get the points against the Roos.
But with Sera-Maria Paterson and Jade Scott firing crisp passes through the mid-court and Tamara Jones holding up the defensive end, Bright went into the halftime break with a three-goal lead.
King Valley tried everything to gain the momentum, but it only got further behind in the third term despite the best efforts of Felicity Miller, Emily Schultz and Erin Ryan.
With star shooters Caitlin O'Shea (26 goals) and Natascha Gatz (24 goals) making the most of their opportunities, Bright took a 10-goal buffer into the final change and maintained that advantaged throughout the fourth quarter to win 50-40.
While they cannot reach the finals, the Mountain Maidens proved their potential with a solid win over a genuine top eight side, and they can further impact the ladder when they host eighth-placed Swanpool this Saturday.
SPEAKING of which, Swanpool was the location of the match of the round on the weekend, with the Swans coming from behind to steal a one-goal win over Benalla.
This was a true eight point match between the two sides fighting for one position inside the top eight.
The Swans started favorites after showing some strong form in recent weeks, but it was the Panthers who got out of the blocks cleaner, heading into the halftime break with a two-goal lead.
Cristen Brunner (27 goals) and Alara Jones (24 goals) were combining well in attack and Benalla looked as if it would capitalise on the promise it has shown throughout the year and stake a claim on eighth spot.
But the Swans drew on all their firepower in the final term, outscoring Benalla 16-12 to record a 52-51 victory, with Samantha Nunan's contribution of 33 goals crucial to the result.
The loss put Benalla out of the finals race, while Swanpool crept up into the top eight, two points clear of Bonnie Doon.
THE Doon Dogs were expected to drop out of the eight when they came up against unbeaten Milawa, but they didn't accept their fate without a fight.
Coach Cathy Parks labelled the match "definitely our best A grade game in the two years I have been here", with Bonnie Doon falling just seven goals short of the red hot Demons.
It goes to show just how quickly fortunes can turn around in the league, with the Doon Dogs going through last season without a win, and an average losing margin of more than 50 goals per game.
Laura Parks was excellent at wing attack for Bonnie Doon, while at opposite ends of the court young gun Emily Hutchins and Allison Colyer (22 goals) led the way.
Defenders Jackie Gardner and Lia Williamson were Milawa's best players in the 45-38 victory.
IN other matches, Ainslee Bennett starred once again in Greta's 55-34 defeat of Goorambat, Sarah Newton was best on court in Whorouly's 84-goal thumping of Tatong, Kellie Symons helped lead Tarrawingee to a 60-29 win over North Wangaratta, and Steph Hogan nailed a massive 48 goals as Moyhu recorded a 77-32 victory against Glenrowan.
BY - SCOTT ANDERSON.
ATHLETE: Emily Hutchins (above) leaps high for an intercept during Bonnie Doon's seven-goal loss to Milawa. PHOTO: Cheryl Browne
Last Modified on 17/08/2011 23:08