Shooting Statistics
Victorian Fury
Jane Cook – 15/16 (94%)
Mikaela Vaughan – 12/16 (75%)
Kate Thompson – 13/17 (76%)
Samantha Gooden – 11/12 (92%)
Canberra Darters
Simone Nalder – 11/18 (61%)
Lauren Cantwell – 11/16 (69%)
Natalie Eldridge – 10/11 (91%)
Leigh Kalsbeek – 2/2 (100%)
The Victorian Fury have started their Australian Netball League (ANL) title defence with a convincing 51-34 victory against the Canberra Darters at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Saturday.
Chasing a fourth consecutive Australian Netball League title in 2016, Fury Head Coach Cathy Fellows was pleased to start the season with a win.
“That was a good first up win and the best thing about it is that everybody got an opportunity on court,” Fellows said.
“So some huge positives and some things we can still improve on which is fantastic as well and a good scoreboard win in the end.”
The Fury dominated the early stages of the match, with Captain Fiona Themann and Shannon Eagland setting the tone for the team, with multiple rebounds and intercepts in the defensive third.
They helped the Fury to a 10-2 lead mid-way through the first quarter before the Darters found their rhythm, going goal-for-goal with the home team to trail 15-7 at the first break.
Canberra continued their momentum early in the second to reduce the margin to six before a fantastic intercept from Lara Dunkley in mid-court resulted in a goal to Jane Cook which saw the Fury regain the ascendency.
Cook was instrumental in the first half, shooting 15/16, with her strength and height in attack proving difficult for the Darters to counteract.
The Victorian Fury went into the main break leading 27-18.
With a short turnaround between now and the second match on Sunday, Fellows rotated the squad at the main break with Samantha Gooden, Kate Eddy, Tayla Honey and Kate Thompson starting the second half.
“Part of this program is to give opportunities at this level to all of the athletes, but we certainly had tomorrow’s match in mind too,” Fellows said.
Gooden demonstrated why she has been called up as a temporary replacement player for the Melbourne Vixens with an excellent shooting display in the second half.
The Fury dominated the third term to increase their lead to 16-goals at the final break before going on to record a convincing 51 to 34 win.
The Fury will take on the Darters once again on Sunday following the ANZ Championship clash between the Melbourne Vixens and the WBOP Magic at 2:30pm AEST.
Tickets are available via melbournevixens.com.au/tickets.
