The Victorian All Abilities team has finished their 2024 Marie Little Shield campaign in Brisbane with the silver medal after three fun-filled days of netball. Recap all the action here, or rewatch the games on KommunityTV.
DAY 3
Gold Medal Match – VIC (13) def by NSW (18)
The Victorian All Abilities team have claimed the silver medal after a hard-fought battle against New South Wales in the Marie Little Shield grand final.
Both sides came out firing, with Sarah Parker and Ashlea Rollason bringing the intensity for Victoria. However, NSW was the first to settle, with their smothering defence earning them a five-goal lead in the first quarter.
Victorian goal defence Jess McCulloch returned to the court after an early injury, providing steadiness in transition and taking intercepts all over the court, while Sky-Ann Grace shone in wing defence and picked up every loose ball, as NSW retained their lead.
Goalers Erin Munckton and Emma Daffy began to hit their stride in the third quarter, working the angles to keep the defenders’ heads turning, while Rachael Potter and Darcie Delahunty fed the circle with precision.
With a seven-goal deficit to eat up in the final quarter, the Victorian side took a renewed approach, with vice-captain Daffy giving the orders, “let’s make this the best bloody eight minutes of your life!”. Tilly Zegir and Rebecca Bradford relished their time on court, leading the way as Victoria fought to the end, taking home the silver medal.
DAY 2
Semi Finals – VIC (12) def SA (8)
Victoria have won their way into the gold medal match after an four-goal win over South Australia.
The arm wrestle began from the first minute, with some defensive brilliance from both sides. Victorian goal defence Jess McCulloch was a standout, helping her side close out a 4-0 first quarter, as the leadership group of Darcie Delahunty, Rachael Potter and Emma Daffy settled the team into the match.
South Australia came back firing in the second, capitalising on the speed of the game, and forced Victoria into a number of changes with Sky-Ann Grace (GK) and Tilly Zegir (WA) making the most of their opportunity on court.
Scores levelled in the third, with Victoria able to push out a two-goal advantage heading into the final quarter. The bookends of Ashlea Rollason and Erin Munckton kept Victoria in control and ultimately progress through to the gold medal match against New South Wales at 1pm on Sunday.
Game 4 – VIC (40) def NT (7)
The spirit of the Marie Little Shield was not lost in Game 4, as Victoria and Northern Territory shared their pre-game warm up and ran under a guard of honour hand-in-hand.
Victoria controlled the match early, as Tilly Zegir and Erin Munckton combined seamlessly in goals, while Rebecca Bradford controlled the pace in centre.
Goaler Emma Daffy continued her fine form, while Jess McCulloch lived out every defender’s dream and took over the GA bib for a quarter, leaving defensive partner Ashlea Rollason free to pick off plenty of ball.
The sportsperson-ship from both teams was a joy to watch, and a fitting way to cap off the opening rounds of the tournament.
The second day of play continues with the semi finals this afternoon, where Victoria will play South Australia at 5.30pm for a spot in Sunday’s gold medal match.
Game 3 – VIC (25) def WA (7)
With the semi finals placings on the line, both teams came out firing in the most highly anticipated match of the opening rounds. Sarah Parker and Rachael Potter combined seamlessly in attack, and picked up a number of gains to keep the ball in Victorian hands.
Jess McCulloch and Darcie Delahunty created a brick wall in defence and were the ever reliable in transition, while Sky-Ann Grace backed up the duo in goal keeper.
Coach Naomi Linossier tested her combinations after half time, with Delahunty relishing the freedom in centre, as Western Australian pushed the side to the final whistle in another hard-fought contest.
DAY 1
Game 2 – VIC (33) def QLD (4)
Playing in front of their raucous cheer squads, both teams brought the physicality from the first whistle, with Victoria taking control early to open an eight-goal lead in the first quarter.
Unforced errors began to creep into the Victorians' game, but Darcie Delahunty remained composed in centre and kept the team settled, while Jess McCulloch and Sky-Ann Grace were workhorses in defence and turned over a mountain of ball.
Erin Munckton and Emma Daffy picked up the shooting load in the final quarter, spearheading Victoria to another strong victory in front of a delighted navy crowd.
The Marie Little Shield continues tomorrow for rounds 3 and 4 and the semi finals.
Game 1 – TAS (8) def by VIC (49)
The Victorian All Abilities team made a hot start to their Marie Little Shield campaign with a 49-8 victory over tournament newcomers, Tasmania.
Both teams brought great intensity and sportsperson-ship to the match, which was a monumental one for the Tassie side in their first ever Marie Little Shield.
A defensive masterclass from Ashlea Rollason and accurate shooting from Tilly Zegir saw the Victorians operate with confidence, while captain Rachael Potter alongside debutants Rebecca Bradford and Sarah Parker were ever-reliable in the mid-court, picking up every loose ball.
For more information, including live scores, fixtures and livestreaming details, check out the 2024 Marie Little Shield Tournament Guide.
Find out more about the athletes in Victoria’s All Abilities team.
