Sport
20 June, 2025
Pumas pounce in season 2025
It has been ten years since Moyston Willaura C-Grade netballers have played finals, and in 2025, that looks set to change, sitting in fourth place on the ladder with six wins, one loss and a draw.
They are a game clear of fifth spot, occupied by the Ararat Eagles, who they drew, and two games ahead of Lismore Derrinallum in sixth. With the top five making finals, they are on the verge of pouncing onto a finals berth, but aren’t there yet, with a lot of work left to do.
On Saturday at Moyston Recreation Reserve, they had a comfortable 27-goal win over Wickliffe Lake Bolac Magpies.
They held their opponents goalless in the first quarter and by half-time had an 18-goal lead. They scored another 14 goals in the second half to win 36-9.
Tahlee McCann continued her brilliant form, scoring a game-high 15 goals, while Bec Vanderwaal stepped up with 12 and Sevahn Maxwell scored nine.
They were strong all over the court in a dominating display. Jasmine Thompson was damaging through the midcourt, while Meg Hammerstein was sensational in defence.
Shayna Dahlstrom showed versatility playing in the midcourt and defence, and is one of the key players in the midcourt, while Tahlee McCann also had a stint in defence.
Georgia Baulch was also outstanding in defence with Collette Pubrick excellent providing plenty of drive at wing defence.
Coach Bec Vanderwaal has spent her entire career at the club and has coached C-Grade for five years. Vanderwaal said she is proud of the girls.
“I’m just amazed at how well we are doing. We lost five players and gained five new players, and the team has bonded well from the start,” Vanderwaal said.
“Even in the pre-season together before the teams were picked, the bond between all the girls was strong and I just think we are all on the same page.
“As coach this year, I saw the potential from the get-go and the goal was to get them to play finals and I am extremely happy and proud of them and where we are sitting at the halfway point of the season.”
Of the new faces they have received, Jasmine Thompson came from Great Western and is playing well in the midcourt, and Tahlee McCann is a returnee who is dominating up forward. Emma McCreedy has also returned to the club having played there in the juniors.
“Tahlee is our number one shooter, and she can be versatile as well,” Vanderwaal said.\
“She has been asking if she could have a run in defence as she loves playing there as well so we gave her a run in defence on the weekend.
“We also decided to give Shaylee Edwards a run in the last quarter. She wasn’t picked in any of the grades this season as she has never played netball before, but she has continued to train to build skills, and she deserved a run, so I gave her a shot,” Vanderwaal said.
“Shayna Dahlstrom is one of the girls that came down from B-Grade and her talk through the court is amazing.
“She helps dictate the speed of the game, dominates well in the midcourt and brings players into the game.
“Everyone has gelled well, and I am proud of everyone and extremely happy.”
The Pumas challenge will come tomorrow where they face ladder-leaders Penshurst at Penshurst Recreation Reserve.
“Our next three games will be tough, and the game tomorrow will let us know where we sit,” Vanderwaal said.
“Even with a few tough games, I still believe we have the potential to finish top five.”
