Sport

Rushworth rolling forward in finals series

By Matthew Kappos

Aug 26, 2025

Rushworth will battle Tallygaroopna in the next semifinal, after the Redlegs upset Nagambie at the weekend. Photos: Jordan Townrow. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Two down, three to go.

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After eliminating Avenel at the weekend, Rushworth is on to the final four in Kyabram District League netball.

The Swans put it up to the Tigers at Merrigum Recreation Reserve on Sunday, but Rushworth showed too much quality, remaining in control throughout the contest to record a 39-30 victory.

After the previous day’s eliminator saw Nagambie ousted in a huge upset, Rushworth coach Sheree Starling made sure her more favoured squad didn’t take it easy against Avenel.

“It wasn’t without its concerns,” she said.

“Obviously, finals are a different story and there was a big upset on the Saturday, so we weren’t taking anything lightly.

“They played really well, actually better than they had during the season, so it was just lucky that we stepped up as well.”

Rushworth was ahead by two goals at quarter time, and extended the lead to seven at the half.

The Tigers continued to grow the lead, getting it to nine by the last interval, but a determined Avenel pushed hard in the final term, forcing Rushworth to respond to restore the margin by the final whistle.

A solid team performance helped Rushworth to the win, Starling praising the side’s efforts at both ends.

“Our defenders have been awesome all year,” she said.

“Our goalers, we did actually do some work the week before with our holding and our connection between the goalers, and it worked really well on the weekend.

“It’s really hard when it’s so physical to be able to compose yourself and put goals up so they did really well under pressure.”

Defensively, Kacey Barlow was the standout, earning best-on-court honours for her work in wing defence.

It was the 9-7 Tallygaroopna that did the deed against Nagambie (13-3) in the other semi-final, and the Redlegs will now be the Tigers’ next opponent in another do-or-die semi-final.

“Wasn’t (expecting Tallygaroopna) at all, but again, you never know,” Starling said.

“We had a decent win against them during the year, but you’ve got to throw that out the window come finals, it’s a whole new ball game.

“They’ve got some older players in their team, so a lot of experience, and they’ll have a lot of composure in the finals.

“We’re just concentrating on our game, we’re not so much concerning ourselves with them.

“If we can connect well like we did on the weekend, we’re confident.”

All the elimination semis, including the Rushworth/Tallygaroopna clash, will be held at Stanhope Recreation Reserve on Sunday.

A day earlier, Girgarre and Shepparton East will battle in the qualifying final at Longwood Recreation Reserve, the winner moving on to the decider, while the loser has a second chance in the preliminary final.